Done with the pop-up

[z_randy]

I'm pretty new to the whole PU scene but I really don't mind setting up.

Give it a few years ... or better still take a long 6 week trip like the OP described in his original post was the kicker for him, then come back and tell us how much you don't mind setting up and tearing down.

I have to say this thread has opened up a whole different side to the pop up forum.  I didn't realize so many people on a pop up forum didn't like dealing with their pop up.  I can see on a 6 week trip how it may get old but I'm not seeing being able to take 6 weeks off from work any time in the next 30 years.  Until then I will enjoy my time with my family and look at it not as work but as family time.

[Steve A]

I can't speak with any authority about a pop-up.  But I've got YEARS of experience under my belt in a tent.  I don't see any difference: whether you're in a location for one day or 10.  You've still got the same issues: set-up/tear-down.  I can and have set up our 13x10 tent solo.  I'd rather NOT and my Lovely Sgt L (former Marine wife) has learned how best to help AND how best to stay out of the way when applicable.

I'm sure when we do get a PUP the same code of conduct will apply.  When she hears me starting to mumble, she'll find something constructive to do somewhere else.  She loves starting the fire.  GOOD.  I love cooking the food.  GOOD.  It's a symbiotic relationship.

If it wasn't for people trading out, moving up or not liking what they have, there wouldn't be a secondary market for anything.

Now excuse me while I cruise the "For Sales" -- I've got plenty of time.

Salutes to the salutable and ciao to the rest,

[gtstricky]

It is nice to live a country where we have options.    ( )


Now who wants to talk about polotics or religion?

[Oz and Us]

I have to say this thread has opened up a whole different side to the pop up forum.  I didn't realize so many people on a pop up forum didn't like dealing with their pop up.

What this thread really illustrates is what we all know but some stubbornly refuse to admit ... while a popup is an affordable option that for just about everyone is a vast improvement over sleeping on the ground in a tent all the setting up and tearing down eventually "grows old" and many finally decide they've had enough of it.  Predictably, those who are still popping will defend to the ends of the earth how great popping up is and how awful it would be to camp in a "tin box" but in doing so they're missing the point entirely as those of us who have moved on aren't arguing that popups aren't a great option ... we're simply saying that after having done it a gazillion times ourselves most of us have finally had enough and would prefer something quicker and simpler.  That then leads to the erroneous critique by those still "popping" that those who've moved on to some form of hard side trailer never seem to come outside ... well maybe, maybe not, but so what? ... if relaxing inside the comfort of their own personal choice in a camper, whatever that may be, enjoying whatever it is they enjoy says "camping" to that person then why would anyone who prefers sitting by the fire night after night even care?  For some reason many seem to, as evidenced by comments in this thread alone ... but in the meanwhile those of us who have moved on from a popup just chuckle and remind ourselves that some day, many of those now so willing to express disdain will also eventually realize it ain't so bad and move to The Darkside themselves.

[rabird]

  It was fun,

  , that sounds like a fact versus that other stuff.

[ElizabethAnn]

I am not ashamed to say that our first RV was a PUP and it lasted 6 nights.  On the way home from our third weekend we stopped off at a dealership and started looking at upgrading (smelling like campfire and everything).  Mainly because of the floor space, but set up and tear down time was also a factor.

We moved to a hybrid (I still miss that little Cub, but not it's bathroom or kitchen) and it turned out that our set up and tear down time was the same.

We purchased a very pretty F150 and upgraded again to a 27 foot travel trailer and it seemed that it took us just as long to set up and tear down as the PUP and Cub (we have since upgraded AGAIN but that's a other story).  THAN we went on our first winter camping trip.  This trip was only for one night and we only took out the chairs and a table, put down those stabilizer jacky things and BOOM... we were done with set up.

The moral of my story is this.  Set up and tear down are what you make of it.  We can now arrive at a campground and be sitting under our awning with a cold bevi in our hands in about 20 minutes.  This is what we do;

Back up (as a couple)
Check for side to side level and make adjustments if required (as a couple)
While DH is unhook truck from trailer I hook up the electricity and the water.
Then I put wooden blocks at each corner of trailer for those stabilizer jacky things
Check for level front to back and make adjustments if required (as a couple)
While DH is lowing the stabilizer jacky things I go into the trailer to start loading the fridge.
DH lets me know when all jacks are down and he spot's the slides as I push them out (pushing the button is hard you know).
DH starts bringing me items from the truck and I put them away, but at the same time I bring our two charis and three tables to the door so that he can put them outside.
DH puts the awning out.
Once the fridge is loaded and clothing put away we are DONE

[rabird]

We can now arrive at a campground and be sitting under our awning with a cold bevi in our hands in about 20 minutes. 

It doesn't take me anywhere near 20 minutes to sit down and have a beer.
It may take that long to decide which way to spin the PU. I make that decision with beer in hand pondering the infinite possibilities. Camping on private land, it is my usually custom to open a beer when I shut the gate behind me!

We get to camp different ways! My way is the way I camp. I suggest others camp their way.

[tbbassdaddy]

This is a great thread.   We have never done a 6 week trip as that just sounds awful after a week / 10 days of all that work.  We once camped a week in three different locations within 300 miles and setup / tear down was really getting to be annoying.   But give me 3 - 10 days in one spot, and I'm in heaven!!!

I've read some threads with great interest on trips to Yellowstone, or out west from VA, or throughout the Dakotas.  These trips sound awsome!!   But I know there were MANY one nighters of setup and tear down and this does not interest me in the least!

But again, to each their own, and as long as the cool stories of these long trips keep coming on this forum and I have my week long one stay outing, I'm loving it!!
tb

[tlbj6142]

I've read some threads with great interest on trips to Yellowstone, or out west from VA, or throughout the Dakotas.  These trips sound awsome!!   But I know there were MANY one nighters of setup and tear down and this does not interest me in the least!

I'll let you know next August.  

Where exactly have you read threads on trips to Yellowstone?  I haven't been able find a good online source about the Yellowstone camping experience.

[rabird]

Where exactly have you read threads on trips to Yellowstone?  I haven't been able find a good online source about the Yellowstone camping experience.

It's funner in a PU, 

[TimK]

There are tools, and there are tools. You can turn in a screw with a butter knife, but the proper screwdriver is better. But, if you've got a hundred or a thousand screws to turn in, a power driver is the right tool for the job.

Sounds to me like you've defined your job -- long-term camping trips -- and the PUP is no long the right tool. Things change. If that's your new camping method and you're no longer happy with the PUP, then it truly is time to change, to find a better, more appropriate tool.

Good luck, and have fun.

[ElizabethAnn]

We can now arrive at a campground and be sitting under our awning with a cold bevi in our hands in about 20 minutes. 

It doesn't take me anywhere near 20 minutes to sit down and have a beer.
It may take that long to decide which way to spin the PU. I make that decision with beer in hand pondering the infinite possibilities. Camping on private land, it is my usually custom to open a beer when I shut the gate behind me!

We get to camp different ways! My way is the way I camp. I suggest others camp their way.

I said sitting under the awning... I didn't say anything about NOT drinking while setting everything else up.  DH normally starts when we have the trailer is the spot we like it (so after the driving part of the trip is over).  Me, I like to wait until I am all done.  It's like a reward and makes me work faster.

[HappiKampers!]

Okay...thought I would 2-cent in.

I'm sure someone may have (didn't read every single post) mentioned that ANYONE on a ANY kind of trip requires some level of set-up/tear down.  Even if you are going to some resort somewhere, you have to deal with airports, transportation, luggage just to get to your destination and once there, you have to unpack.

No matter how you camp, you are traveling away from your home.  Therefore, there will be set-up.  Heck, even when I stay at my friend's cottage in MI, I still have to bring my stuff and unpack.  Sure, you can make your stay simple, but others of us like to set-up our awning and outdoor kitchen, even if it's just an overnight stay.

So, whether you Tent, PUP, HYX, TT or RV - there is set-up and tear down.  Sure, if you just go in a RV and park it and sleep, the amount is minimal.  But if you are camping and enjoying your surroundings, you will have set-up.  You will want your chairs, awning/canopy, campfire supplies, table and things to cook with.

WE LOVE TO CAMP - so any set-up needed so that we can do it, is worth it.  Each level you go up, it get's a little easier but set-up/tear down is never eliminated.

Tenting to PUPping is an improvement because now I don't have to load and unload several containers from my vehicle - everything is inside the PUP.  Sure, I still have to put everything under the 25" mark to pack up, but that is part of PUPping.  If I HYX, I eliminate that aspect but still have bunks to deal with.  Okay, then I go TT and avoid the tenting but still have to deal with TV issues and still have to set-up my outdoor camp.  Okay, so if I go RV and now I don't have TV to deal with, but I would have a Toad AND still have set-up for the outdoor area.

But....the moral of all of this is - we are camping!  We are outdoors, enjoying the scenary, shootin' the sh@t around the campfire with a cold beverage.  I don't know about all of you, but I would invest and hour of my time to set-up and another hour to tear down just to enjoy these activities.

I guess if I really hated to set-up and tear down....I'd just stay home.

[Steve A]

I guess if I really hated to set-up and tear down....I'd just stay home.

Succinctly put and I certainly agree.

Ciao,

[clemlaw]

Call me weird, but I actually enjoy setting up my pup.  It doesn't take us that long--20 minutes tops, including leveling and unhitching.  If I really wanted to go fast, I'm sure I could cut that time down in half, but unless it's raining or I'm being eaten alive by mosquitoes, I would rather take my time and not have any SPUTs.[/li][/list]

I've just figured out the best of both worlds.  From now on, we'll just camp next to mountainrev, and let him handle the setup for us.