What would your perfect Pop Up be?

[Patrick w]

Frst p

What would your perfect Pop Up be?, you ask

one that loads and unloads the propane tank and the batteries by itself...hitches and unhitches itself,... backs into the site all by itself... opens and closes itself... takes all the gear out and sets up camp and then, the reverse of all that... HA HA

seriously, the 2016 Starflyer was just about perfect for us... we pretty much made all the "MODS" before it went bye-bye.... and, even though we're down to just 3 of us now [maybe 4, if DD brings her BFF along], the 12' box never gave us any issues... it actually towed like a dream and I wouldn't mind having it back.

before we got the Clipper Express, there was a Starcraft METEOR for sale nearby but, within an hour of it being posted, it was sold... DW liked the full size "picture window" instead of the second bunk... oh well

Oh Oh... one last thing... the "perfect" PUP would also be one that makes AND SERVES me coffee in bed

Happy Trails!

Have recently seen 12v/24v AC/heat pumps, basically mini-mini splits. Those seem a good candidate for a truck camper or little cargo trailer conversion. While I’m thankful for thy AC in my current camper, I don’t like that it is a roof unit. I really preferred the through-the-wall style AC of the Aliner.

Ya my unit doesn't have ac, but the models that do use like 5000btu window units on a slider.

 

[Patrick w]

I would want a pretty basic build out which I think is part of my problem. I don't want a 6 gallon tank holding water heater. Too corrosion prone, extra weight etc... would prefer an on demand water heater such as my Camplux I have now... I am bluntly too fat for a dinette, so want a jacknife couch with a free standing table, Get the built in cassette toilet out of its niche and just have a cabinet for my regular port o potty. That kind of thing.

Honestly, I wish they would build an aluminum frame (they do) composite panel (they don't that I know of) basic camper that can support the weight of an AC on the roof... Or in the back wall... The problem with a lot of these is they build them too fancy, and in turn heavy. I don't need sleeping space for 4 or 6. I need sleeping space for 1, or 2. And a dog or two... I need a space to be able to work in lousy weather, I need to be comfortable temperature wise when sleeping, much easier to do when it is cold than hot, I need to be able to prepare meals, which will mostly be done outside unless weather doesn't cooperate, and I need to be able to take care of sanitation. I need enough capacity to stay off grid for a week at a time, and that includes electricity, water, and wastewater.

It wasn't a pop up, and I hated the fridge they used by default, but I LOVED the Eureka Slide Inn camper with the queen bed overcab and sliding table options. Although water supply was jerry cans, which is more or less what I do in the camper shell camper right now.

If you didn't need an actual roof, the livinlite 8.0 kinda fits the bill

 

[94-D2]

I thought the same thing since I bought my tandem axle high wall Avalon, which was my dream popup. Then, taking inspiration from other trailers and combining them, I modified and built my dream trailer.

custom 24”x80” diamond plate storage box, 36” diamond plate deck with side storage boxes and 30”x5’ under belly storage. These mods were my vision and gave been enjoying them since 2016.

 

[G.P.]

So mine would be this .. a front deck that would be large enough to hold two quads or two trail bikes or a combination of those & maybe a Rokon .. then I would attach a tarp to the front Dormer to have a covered Patio where the toys once rode .. tandem axles ... all supported by a 2 x 6" tubular frame .. !

 

[Blue411]

If there was something you could add to a Pop up design or something you would change, what would it be?

Me, I’d want a Hi Wall with a slide out/fold up outdoor kitchen with gas cooktop, sink, drawers and cabinets. This slides out from inside a bench in the trailer and is paired with another slide out which fills out the back side of the first slide. with cabinetry for all dry goods and ice chest for drinks. (This slide is plain, sits outside over bumper, full open counter and closes in 2 seconds for night close up (bear country) good surface for portable bbq or blackstone all central to sink and gas cooktop..
the 3 way fridge within reach just inside the cabin door, slide out love seat and fold up washroom inside (toilet only with high efficiency fan) and outside shower setup with detachable enclosure sharing the same wall as the interior washroom.

No interior kitchen except coffee counter/bar area over fridge. Pop up TV opposite loveseat slide for the odd rainy day escape.

No ABS roof. Full, detachable rack for a 14’ tin boat or canoes/kayaks that does not bear weight on the roof. Led lighting throughout inside and out.

Dual awnings (the other covers the shower and allows slide windows to be wide open down during hard rain)

Not sure if it’s doable in design or towabilty without going to the old Jayco twin axle Pup size…remember that one?

Anyway, that’s my dream list if it could be done (I’m sure it could)

This is good! Ditto I guess. I have a Jayco pup.

I want built-in leveling jacks.

An exterior fold-up kitchen with just a sink, prep space, and pantry space. I will keep the grill & propane separate.

A roof that can haul either kayaks or bikes.

Built in dresser drawers/closet space for clothes. I’d like to be able to have 4-5 drawers- 1 drawer per family member for clothes so we don’t have a bunch of luggage bags.

Get rid of all interior grills! Takes up precious real estate.

I want attachable braces to snap onto the arms that lift the roof, so once the roof is up, we can snap on metal braces for extra peace of mind that the roof won’t come down.

Lights lights lights, color options, exterior and interior around the bottom and top, that we can turn on/off. Orange for Halloween, red/green Christmas… or just regular warm yellow etc

I do have a front rack on my pup where we put coolers, chairs etc. it’s awesome. I would like the gate to be taller so we could maybe also use it for bikes if kayaks are on top roof.

Dinette is a pain. Make it better. Squeezing in and around it to get to bunk is not pretty.

Love my pup but those are a few things.

 

[Turfit]

Have you looked at the Rockwood HW277 / Flagstaff 27ks? Pull out sink and stove, fridge access closed. No bench, but U dinette would be an easy mod to start with.

If I remember correctly, the HW277 has an indoor kitchen with oven also. I would prefer just the pull out with easy access to the fridge.

 

[AfterAll]

Actually, my dream pop up is WAY more simple. It's light. It can be towed with just about any vehcle. And it was made in the 1930s down under in Australia. It is the Eicke and Provis Caravan. There is a bubble top version too which if you are interested, you can google Eicke and Provis Caravan and find a wealth of info. At any rate, this folds down into a box, the second pic shows what it looks like folded. The sides fold down first and then the ends. Separate are two triangle roof pieces that fit into the screen structure and a pole is attached at the top and canvas fitted onto the roof structure. I love this simple design, but I also think of using today's materials, lighter ones. The idea of 360 degree screens is brilliant. I could imagine that velcro or eyelet privacy curtains could be used inside and velcro rain canvas could be used on the outside of the screens if needed.

Inside are two cot beds on the sides and a chest in the middle in front and on the wall on the US driver's side near the camper door is a small shelf that you can put your campstove on.

This is for post kids, just 2 people enjoying nature in a pop up...

 

[Lisa Tomlin]

If there was something you could add to a Pop up design or something you would change, what would it be?

Me, I’d want a Hi Wall with a slide out/fold up outdoor kitchen with gas cooktop, sink, drawers and cabinets. This slides out from inside a bench in the trailer and is paired with another slide out which fills out the back side of the first slide. with cabinetry for all dry goods and ice chest for drinks. (This slide is plain, sits outside over bumper, full open counter and closes in 2 seconds for night close up (bear country) good surface for portable bbq or blackstone all central to sink and gas cooktop..
the 3 way fridge within reach just inside the cabin door, slide out love seat and fold up washroom inside (toilet only with high efficiency fan) and outside shower setup with detachable enclosure sharing the same wall as the interior washroom.

No interior kitchen except coffee counter/bar area over fridge. Pop up TV opposite loveseat slide for the odd rainy day escape.

No ABS roof. Full, detachable rack for a 14’ tin boat or canoes/kayaks that does not bear weight on the roof. Led lighting throughout inside and out.

Dual awnings (the other covers the shower and allows slide windows to be wide open down during hard rain)

Not sure if it’s doable in design or towabilty without going to the old Jayco twin axle Pup size…remember that one?

Anyway, that’s my dream list if it could be done (I’m sure it could)

Comfortable indoor seating. That is ALL I ask. We aren't inside much but when weather brings you inside the sofa and dining are not comfortable.

 

[Susan Premo]

Actually, my dream pop up is WAY more simple. It's light. It can be towed with just about any vehcle. And it was made in the 1930s down under in Australia. It is the Eicke and Provis Caravan. There is a bubble top version too which if you are interested, you can google Eicke and Provis Caravan and find a wealth of info. At any rate, this folds down into a box, the second pic shows what it looks like folded. The sides fold down first and then the ends. Separate are two triangle roof pieces that fit into the screen structure and a pole is attached at the top and canvas fitted onto the roof structure. I love this simple design, but I also think of using today's materials, lighter ones. The idea of 360 degree screens is brilliant. I could imagine that velcro or eyelet privacy curtains could be used inside and velcro rain canvas could be used on the outside of the screens if needed.

Inside are two cot beds on the sides and a chest in the middle in front and on the wall on the US driver's side near the camper door is a small shelf that you can put your campstove on.

This is for post kids, just 2 people enjoying nature in a pop up...

It started out looking like a greenhouse, then a circus wagon! Interesting popup.

 

[craig heaton]

I don't know if there are any designers from manufacturers monitoring this group, but some ideas that I have (using our 2318G as my model):
-- incorporate a gizmos type sun shield into the camper. I envision something retractable (like a window shade but mounted sideways against the roof box). It would be insulated, reflective material and could hook into eye loops along the top edge of the canvas (where the current generation of gizmos clip)
-- make the dinette seat closest to the flip up galley a split seat / split cushion arrangement so that a seat could be flipped down. This way they could incorporate a flip up (or over) countertop extension. The extra space would be useful for meal prep or when doing dishes.
-- additional hanging pantry by the queen bunk
-- no-seeum screens for the windows
-- windows in addition to the screens for the bunks!

Just some ideas....all seem like they should be doable without significant changes to existing models and would be relatively inexpensive to implement.

 

[AfterAll]

It started out looking like a greenhouse, then a circus wagon! Interesting popup.

I know. I was researching patents and came across its patent and I was like...this is exactly what I want. Light weight, screens to let air flow through and the idea that if you wanted to, you could unhook the canvas and pull it back for sky views. No electricity. No complicated water tanks. But mine would have a light aluminum skin painted the color of my tahoe (hunter green) and I would have copper screens. My this is sounding like a clash of colors...maybe will look like a circus wagon. LOL

 

[Susan Premo]

I know. I was researching patents and came across its patent and I was like...this is exactly what I want. Light weight, screens to let air flow through and the idea that if you wanted to, you could unhook the canvas and pull it back for sky views. No electricity. No complicated water tanks. But mine would have a light aluminum skin painted the color of my tahoe (hunter green) and I would have copper screens. My this is sounding like a clash of colors...maybe will look like a circus wagon. LOL

Whatever you want as long as you can afford is what you should get..

 

[AfterAll]

Whatever you want as long as you can afford is what you should get..

It's so basic. ANYONE can afford that build. I think one could build it on a flatbed utility trailer. Yeah, I'll build it once kids are all moved out. The problem with coming up with the perfect pop up is that EVERYONE in the party has to like it. You have one perfect set up for one and someone else doesn't like the seating or doesn't like the layout of the galley. This thing is so basic...there is no galley. There is no seating...well you can sit on your bed. LOL You gotta do most of that outside. Folks have gotten away from the way camping used to be. It's not for everyone. But I want to be outdoors and just go into the pop up to sleep. I'm not gonna worry if I have to take an army bath to get clean. That unit doesn't need running water or tanks. I'll cook outside and drag the cooler along. There are many toilet options...depending on where we go or what we lug with us. I'm really tired of kids needing wifi and trying to get them off their phones. I don't want to have all kinds of lights running that I miss the starry night. I just want to focus on how beautiful it is out there...I want to wake up and throw a line in the water and catch breakfast. I want to camp like we used to camp when I was a kid. The pup is nice for sleeping and refuge from the rain. But man, I just want to get out there without all the electronic crap we have to take out EVERY single time we go out. It's like we're not even really camping.

 

[NelsTomlinson]

We used to tent camp, and now I want the tent camping experience with a comfy mattress.

I would like a popup that fits in an 8' pickup bed. No fixed plumbing, just a portapotty and a water jug. Open floor plan, so we have room for many boxes of groceries when we pass through town on our way home.I WANT A WIDE DOOR! so we can easily load in a big cooler or big totes of stuff. I plan to leave the camper in the truck most of the time, and want to be able to run to town with it, and still bring back enough to make the 200 mile round trip worth while.

I would like it slightly insulated, with diesel hydronic heat like a Webasto that can be fed from the heater circuit of the diesel truck. We don't go camping at -40, but we would like to go out in the fall and early spring, when temps are below freezing at least at night.

A propane cooktop and refrigerator are nice.

I want comfy seating for rainy days, and head room over the cab for a THICK mattress, like the one I sleep on at home. That requires ~1 foot headroom over the bed with the top down.

I want the top strong enough that it can handle some snow load.

We have an old Starcraft popup that will meet some of these criteria. I'm going to pull out the toilet and tanks to eliminate water issues. Eventually I'll build a replacement roof that makes room for the mattress I want. For now, the old roof is sort of adequate and I'll have uncomfortable nights. No idea how we'll manage comfy seating. We could have Alaska Tent and Tarp make replacement canvas out of their insulated tent material. Chinese Webasto clones are cheap, and It won't be hard to rig quick disconnects to let us connect truck coolant to the popup.

I need to figure out some kind of ramp to help load our big, old dog.

Things we probably won't have:
That wide door.
It would be better if I could find diesel appliances and get rid of the propane, but that's probably not going to happen.

 

[AfterAll]

Nels,

We used to tent camp, and now I want the tent camping experience with a comfy mattress.

I would like a popup that fits in an 8' pickup bed. No fixed plumbing, just a portapotty and a water jug. Open floor plan, so we have room for many boxes of groceries when we pass through town on our way home.I WANT A WIDE DOOR! so we can easily load in a big cooler or big totes of stuff. I plan to leave the camper in the truck most of the time, and want to be able to run to town with it, and still bring back enough to make the 200 mile round trip worth while.

I would like it slightly insulated, with diesel hydronic heat like a Webasto that can be fed from the heater circuit of the diesel truck. We don't go camping at -40, but we would like to go out in the fall and early spring, when temps are below freezing at least at night.

A propane cooktop and refrigerator are nice.

I want comfy seating for rainy days, and head room over the cab for a THICK mattress, like the one I sleep on at home. That requires ~1 foot headroom over the bed with the top down.

I want the top strong enough that it can handle some snow load.

We have an old Starcraft popup that will meet some of these criteria. I'm going to pull out the toilet and tanks to eliminate water issues. Eventually I'll build a replacement roof that makes room for the mattress I want. For now, the old roof is sort of adequate and I'll have uncomfortable nights. No idea how we'll manage comfy seating. We could have Alaska Tent and Tarp make replacement canvas out of their insulated tent material. Chinese Webasto clones are cheap, and It won't be hard to rig quick disconnects to let us connect truck coolant to the popup.

I need to figure out some kind of ramp to help load our big, old dog.

Things we probably won't have:
That wide door.
It would be better if I could find diesel appliances and get rid of the propane, but that's probably not going to happen.

Nels, I think those truck camper doors are skiny bec they put a bathroom on one side and storage on the other. You could probably modify that door since you are removing the bathroom in it. I think your set up sounds great.

 

[Hilldweller]

We used to tent camp, and now I want the tent camping experience with a comfy mattress.

I would like a popup that fits in an 8' pickup bed. No fixed plumbing, just a portapotty and a water jug. Open floor plan, so we have room for many boxes of groceries when we pass through town on our way home.I WANT A WIDE DOOR! so we can easily load in a big cooler or big totes of stuff. I plan to leave the camper in the truck most of the time, and want to be able to run to town with it, and still bring back enough to make the 200 mile round trip worth while.

I would like it slightly insulated, with diesel hydronic heat like a Webasto that can be fed from the heater circuit of the diesel truck. We don't go camping at -40, but we would like to go out in the fall and early spring, when temps are below freezing at least at night.

A propane cooktop and refrigerator are nice.

I want comfy seating for rainy days, and head room over the cab for a THICK mattress, like the one I sleep on at home. That requires ~1 foot headroom over the bed with the top down.

I want the top strong enough that it can handle some snow load.

We have an old Starcraft popup that will meet some of these criteria. I'm going to pull out the toilet and tanks to eliminate water issues. Eventually I'll build a replacement roof that makes room for the mattress I want. For now, the old roof is sort of adequate and I'll have uncomfortable nights. No idea how we'll manage comfy seating. We could have Alaska Tent and Tarp make replacement canvas out of their insulated tent material. Chinese Webasto clones are cheap, and It won't be hard to rig quick disconnects to let us connect truck coolant to the popup.

I need to figure out some kind of ramp to help load our big, old dog.

Things we probably won't have:
That wide door.
It would be better if I could find diesel appliances and get rid of the propane, but that's probably not going to happen.

2022 Project M Camper

Project M Camper Topper for Sale 2021. This Project M Model has Options to build your ideal Pop Up Four Wheel Campers. You can Preview in our Virtual Tour.

fourwheelcampers.com

 

[NelsTomlinson]

That project M thing looks practical, but it's way too spendy. Years ago I built a camper like that in my truck bed. It was fixed sides, no cabover part, 2x4 frame covered with 1/2" CDX. I lived in that for a summer. I think it was 8 sheets of plywood?

Since we have the old Starcraft, we'll work with that.

 

[AfterAll]

That project M thing looks practical, but it's way too spendy. Years ago I built a camper like that in my truck bed. It was fixed sides, no cabover part, 2x4 frame covered with 1/2" CDX. I lived in that for a summer. I think it was 8 sheets of plywood?

Since we have the old Starcraft, we'll work with that.

Yeah that M was nice if you had unlimited funds. That's a lot of scratch for a pop up shell. However it has a large door. Gotta give em that. But for that much, you could probably make a bigger door in what you have and take out the bathroom. Just it's a little scary when you take the sawsall to it. LOL

 

[Hilldweller]

Yeah that M was nice if you had unlimited funds. That's a lot of scratch for a pop up shell. However it has a large door. Gotta give em that. But for that much, you could probably make a bigger door in what you have and take out the bathroom. Just it's a little scary when you take the sawsall to it. LOL

I am adept at spending others' money...

 

[Katskamper]

oh this would be fun!

first, a highwall, cuz im tall. (everything is closer to my feet than my face!)

nnext on my current camper, motorized beds, cuz im getting old & skamper beds have awfull design, cheater slots in rails.

my future build will be remodeled from a toy hauler type with front deck.

I would turn the front deck into a patio, move the entry door to the center of patio deck, leaving both sides solid. This particular model will not have slide out beds. beds will be inside cabin.

awning will be on front deck, giving me a closed in, off ground room.
safe for dog, no skunks in her foodbowl.

inside will have small galley, steel sink, and room to set up a butane stove for any inclement weather / indoor cooking.

galley will be located at the front of the rig, on the driver side . the dinette will be on the passenger side.

outside, The kitchenette will pull out from one of the benches, again with a prep/stove area and a steel sink. with utensil drawers!
ground level. ?

i have alternate design idea where galley is on front deck/patio.it for sure will have table area. deck box that is both storage & seating.

cassette toilet area next to galley. in center of camper. dresser next to toilet, then bed in back.

removable cassette toilet. Should also have a door on the outside driver side to get it out after the camper is packed up.

inside, I wanted to look like a fancy 1800s train car.
this design is for solo camping, me & dog. dinette will convert to bed. jik
i still have good tents.

with my design, i could leave it hitched, raise roof & stay one night with minimal setup. straight walls, windows designed like old train car.

who has skills to help me build this?? it will be a paying job!