Must-Have Features for a first time pop-up.

[PoppedDancer]

Battery cutoff switch. I added this to all of my campers. Most units have a CO2 detector, which is powered by a 12 volt source. I've unintentionally allowed the CO2 to drain the battery when the camper was stored. With the addition of a battery cutoff switch I just flip the switch cutting all 12 volt power to the pup. Now my batteries stay charged and will last a long longer then those that are being completely drained.

Does the CO detector and smoke detector stay powered even if all the circuit breakers are turned off?

 

[TSQ]

Does the CO detector and smoke detector stay powered even if all the circuit breakers are turned off?

Generally C₃H₈ and CO detectors are powered directly from the main 12V feeder, bypassing the DC distribution panel.

Also - vitually all campers use breakers for the AC distribution only, and fuses for DC. Gas detectors are almost always DC.

 

[jmkay1]

A few have mentioned being able to reach the fridge with the top down. Is that having the fridge directly across from the door? Assuming the galley wasn't in the way too, I suppose. The fridges are too small to be super useful.. It would help, but we would still need a cooler. So I have not been too focused or worried about the fridge. Might be good for the beverages I suppose...!

I personally find the 3 way fridge is only best for drinks, condiment and veggies etc. Meats, milk, etc are best in a cooler where the temperature is cooler and more able to keep food frozen or cold. The fridge also takes close to 8 hours to cool down or less depending on ambient temperature. So me personally I still very much use my cooler. The fridge however allows me one less cooler of Ice I need to restock. Since my gally folds down in front of the fridge I would have to fully set up the camper in order to access the fridge so for me it's easier to wait until I get to camp to stock it. Hence the reason many would prefer to access with the top down.

 

[eprovenzano]

Generally C₃H₈ and CO detectors are powered directly from the main 12V feeder, bypassing the DC distribution panel.

Also - vitually all campers use breakers for the AC distribution only, and fuses for DC. Gas detectors are almost always DC.

Popped Dancer TSQ is correct. The detectors are powered by a 12 volt source (IE the battery when not on Shore Power, and the converter when plugged into Shore Power). The electrical portion of the camper is controlled by the breakers and the 12 volt power is run through the fuses.

 

[chiques]

I have a simple PUP. I removed the icebox and store a camp potty in there I pull out at night. I installed a 12v car radiator fan with a speed control in the roof vent for cooling. Occasionally we use the sink to brush teeth or wash a few dishes, but am considering removing the sink and water tank. I don't cook inside.
We use the camper to sleep, possibly play table games at night, storage and changing clothes and if there is a severe storm we use it for shelter. Coolers for food, outside grill to cook, awning/ 10x10 shelter for shade.

My trailer has 12 inch tires, I wish they were larger.

We try to camp in locations with trees, mostly state parks.

Simple to me is the way to go. It depends on your needs and what you want out of the camping experience.

 

[fronsm]

My pup is pretty basic, 3 way fridge, indoor-outdoor stove, water pump that I don't use. I use the kitty litter method as a porta potty. I have a shower tent for campgrounds without showers. Overhead lights when necessary, but I usually use battery lamps. Since I have to pay to have things fixed, simple is better for me. Some have too many accessories and too many things can go wrong. Enjoy your pup!

 

[MichelleRowell]

My pup is pretty basic, 3 way fridge, indoor-outdoor stove, water pump that I don't use. I use the kitty litter method as a porta potty. I have a shower tent for campgrounds without showers. Overhead lights when necessary, but I usually use battery lamps. Since I have to pay to have things fixed, simple is better for me. Some have too many accessories and too many things can go wrong. Enjoy your pup!

Kitty litter, like in a five gallon bucket that you scoop?

 

[fronsm]

Kitty litter, like in a five gallon bucket that you scoop?

Pretty much. I actually use an empty large kitty litter container, put a bag in it, add some litter and throw it out the next day. I generally only use it overnight.

 

[MichelleRowell]

Mine is bare bones. It has a stove that can be either inside or outside. We have the "Add-a-room" attached screen under the canopy, so the stove is outside the camper inside the screen room. No fridge, no heater, only one center light. After 30 years, we're about to get a cassette toilet! We took out the cooler and made that into storage.

I changed the direction that the cupboard door just inside the camper door opens, and we use that to store jacks, etc. that will be used during setup. There are so many more efficient lights available now than when we started out that it's really a non-issue.

If we need heat, we go where there are hookups and use a tiny little electric heater and lots of blankets.

If you think you'll want it, whatever it is, get it now, or you'll miss having it.

 

[PaThacker]

All my pups 3 of them were all 12 foot with exterior front storage box and slide outs. Flagstaff 625d, Jayco Jay Series 1206, and Jayco Select 12HW. I preferred the Jayco over the Forest River pup for construction type alone. The Jay series 1206 was my favorite pup. It had no ac nor bathroom. It had best feature of couch and dresser in place of cassette shower. The 12 foot highwall had massive counter space, loaded with features and only a dinette to sit on. The flagstaff 625 d had zero counter tops, zero interior storage, was loaded with features, couch and cassette potty shower.

I chose the 1206 series as best of all features and design for Boondocking. Cooling I had a fantastic fan, and setup outside potty shower tent enclosure. I had exterior awning screen room and Boondocking was a piece of cake. The other 2 were campground spec with ac and onboard potty.

 

[Allamakee County]

Roof. Wheels. Trailer hitch.

 

[holmarwil]

My pup is pretty basic, 3 way fridge, indoor-outdoor stove, water pump that I don't use. I use the kitty litter method as a porta potty. I have a shower tent for campgrounds without showers. Overhead lights when necessary, but I usually use battery lamps. Since I have to pay to have things fixed, simple is better for me. Some have too many accessories and too many things can go wrong. Enjoy your pup!

I did a ton of tent camping before upgrading to my pup. A little tip, instead of kitty litter, try using pine shavings. The smell is much more natural than kitty litter (I personally hate the smell of kitty litter) and it is sooooo much lighter! Also it’s a lot cheaper than kitty litter! You can get nice big bales of it from TSC for $7!

 

[PoppedDancer]

Pretty much. I actually use an empty large kitty litter container, put a bag in it, add some litter and throw it out the next day. I generally only use it overnight.

Sounds like an option.. But you're going to have to convince my wife.

 

[RCmom]

Are there any features in a first time pop-up camper owner that I should insist on?

You should insist the owner has a sense of humor. It's almost always their best feature.

 

[Bmax1985]

Battery, Toilet or Portable Toilet (It's super nice not to go outside at night), AC, Heater. If you're going off grid, Propane Heater. If in parks, Electric ones work fine but built in would be great.

 

[kitphantom]

Sounds like an option.. But you're going to have to convince my wife.

We used the PETT/Go-anywhere/Cleanwaste folding toilet in our popups. It was a better height and more stable than the first, Reliance brand we had. We used the gel-filed bags in it, which are approved for human waste disposal. The gel is the same or similar to what's in disposible diapers. I found a great deal on a large case of the Cleanwaste brand bags a few years back, and we're still working on those. I also bought a small container of the "Poo Powder" to add a bit extra if needed. Far more compact than kitty litter and unscented (some kitty litter is unscented, we have to use that for our cats).
We carry the bags with us, even though we have a flush toilet in the travel trailer Once in the time we've had it I miscalculated black tank capacity, and we had to resort to using the bag in the toilet until I could dump. (Lesson learned, dump after de-winterizing and sanitizing, no matter what.) We aso have used the bags when we didn't want to use the water system and waste tanks.
Another reason we carry the bags is that they are required in some of the places my husband backpacks, sometimes even within day hiking distance for both of us, where "carry it out" includes more than food wrappers.

 

[Patrick w]

Kitty litter, like in a five gallon bucket that you scoop?

Opposite. Your thinking of like scoop away where you scoop out only the deposit. We humans have much too much production, so it works better to just toss the whole thing. So put only as much as needed for the night.

 

[Patrick w]

Sounds like an option.. But you're going to have to convince my wife.

Have her designated duty as tank emptier. That changes opinions quick.

 

[Michael J]

Are there any features in a first time pop-up camper owner that I should insist on?

I am looing at a bare bones camper, but it is newish and great condition, reasonably priced.

But there are literally no "extras"..
Fixed gas stove, and no outside gas / grill (We'd use our own outside).
No power roof vent.
No outside cubby/storage door (for jack pads, water hose, tools, etc). Typically can a travel door be opened with the top down? May be a non-issue...
No fan/lights for above the bunks (seen that in many, which are nice).
The travel door isn't a fold-down step kind, so it has smaller metal pull-out step.

It does have cable supported beds. No support bars. Is this OK?
It also does have dual propane tanks, which I very much like to have. I assume I could add that to any camper though, relatively easy.

I know I didn't give the model number, trying to keep things very general here. It's a basic 10' box.

It all depends on what you and the family can live with, look at what you plan on doing and make a list of activities while camping and while raining

 

[Boydster]

Are there any features in a first time pop-up camper owner that I should insist on?

I am looing at a bare bones camper, but it is newish and great condition, reasonably priced.

But there are literally no "extras"..
Fixed gas stove, and no outside gas / grill (We'd use our own outside).
No power roof vent.
No outside cubby/storage door (for jack pads, water hose, tools, etc). Typically can a travel door be opened with the top down? May be a non-issue...
No fan/lights for above the bunks (seen that in many, which are nice).
The travel door isn't a fold-down step kind, so it has smaller metal pull-out step.

It does have cable supported beds. No support bars. Is this OK?
It also does have dual propane tanks, which I very much like to have. I assume I could add that to any camper though, relatively easy.

I know I didn't give the model number, trying to keep things very general here. It's a basic 10' box.

Link to the original discussion: https://www.popupportal.com/forums/first-time-new-camper-owners.40/
BTW - the responses are interesting, but mine is simple - take it out to a campground near home a few times, sit in it, and look around at what you'd like. Summer "must haves" will be different than fall, so be flexible. Aside, I'm a long term (but now old) backpacker/rafter, so what I consider luxury is pretty different than some folks here!