We got our new camper !!!!! Woo Hoo !!!!

[Extreme4x4]

 

We got a very lightly used 2007 Fleetwood Avalon. We traveled to get it, (275 miles each way) but are tickled silly.

 

It is hard to find a large, great conditioned tent trailer, for a decent deal, here in AZ. So we are very pleased.

 

As you can see, she is a bigun!!!! 16ft box, tandem axles, 4.2cf refer, stove and oven, microwave, A/C, BIG heater, full RV porcelain toilet, shower, hot water, sofa, and 2 king beds. We are loadin her up........ and, work permitting, will be taking our maiden voyage over the Thanksgiving holiday.

[fordmantpw]

We got a very lightly used 2007 Fleetwood Avalon. We traveled to get it, (275 miles each way) but are tickled silly.

 

It is hard to find a large, great conditioned tent trailer, for a decent deal, here in AZ. So we are very pleased.

 

As you can see, she is a bigun!!!! 16ft box, tandem axles, 4.2cf refer, stove and oven, microwave, A/C, BIG heater, full RV porcelain toilet, shower, hot water, sofa, and 2 king beds. We are loadin her up........ and, work permitting, will be taking our maiden voyage over the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

That's a big-a$$ pop-up! Looks great! Congrats!

 

But really, don't you need something bigger to pull behind that V10?

Edited November 8, 2009 by fordmantpw

[Extreme4x4]

We like to feel like we are camping, when we are camping. If I want to stay in a RV Park, I will just rent a cabin (what you have to do with big TT's FW's and MH's). Plus, with the PUP, anywhere the truck can go........... we can go camping.

 

Frankly, the truck barely knows it is there. We had to go to Yuma to get it, so we got to come up from the Valley. Up to 7500ft, down to 1800ft and back up to 5400ft (home). Add in every elevation in between, and curves. Just set the cruise, and go.

 

The transmission in this truck is amazing. When going down steep inclines, if you hit the brakes, the trans will downshift and hold back the truck. Tow/Haul is impressive also, but almost overkill for this trailer. GVWR is 4600lbs.

 

This is THE largest pup-up you can buy. The Avalon, and the Rockwood HW296 are the only tandem axle, 16-foot box tent trailers made. Retail, they are pricey.............. but I didn't buy retail. You can't tell from looking at it though............. it looks brand new (they used it 6 times in 30 months).

[mettech]

Have you own a camper trailer before?

[J-150]

congrats!

[Extreme4x4]

Have you own a camper trailer before?

 

We had a 1995 Camplite with a 10ft box. That was the first PUP that offered a dinette slide. We never used it, due to the lack of storage (Corey was only 2 at the time), not only with the camper, but with our TV also (2003 Mazda Tribute). I had cleaned it all up, and we sold it for $1100 more than we bought it for. LOL

 

When I was a kid, we went camping and fishing all the time (those are my good memories of childhood). We had Sundowner camper with no bathroom and an icebox.

 

Since then, it has been tent camping only.

 

We did alot of research before we bought this. Many people who buy small PUP's, end up getting larger and larger ones, until they switch over to TT's, etc. Many of them end up going back to PUP's, due to the connection to nature.

 

We try to buy what we want to keep, up front.

 

Anyway.............. why do you ask??

[mettech]

We had a 1995 Camplite with a 10ft box. That was the first PUP that offered a dinette slide. We never used it, due to the lack of storage (Corey was only 2 at the time), not only with the camper, but with our TV also (2003 Mazda Tribute). I had cleaned it all up, and we sold it for $1100 more than we bought it for. LOL

 

When I was a kid, we went camping and fishing all the time (those are my good memories of childhood). We had Sundowner camper with no bathroom and an icebox.

 

Since then, it has been tent camping only.

 

We did alot of research before we bought this. Many people who buy small PUP's, end up getting larger and larger ones, until they switch over to TT's, etc. Many of them end up going back to PUP's, due to the connection to nature.

 

We try to buy what we want to keep, up front.

 

Anyway.............. why do you ask??

 

 

That is what we have done. Buy truck, get camper... Buy bigger camper.... Need bigger truck... (We did this 3 times each) ..lol

 

Here is our camper at Pensacola NAS.

 

Congratulations on the new camper and... "keeping it real"... :shades:

[Extreme4x4]

HOLY MOLY !!!! That is a house on wheels !!!!

 

See, the problem here, is most of the campgrounds that we like, are only marginally improved (a picnic table and a fire pit)............. or not campgrounds at all. A large 5th wheel like that, won't even fit in the majority of them............... nor would you want to take it into most of them (for instance, the road into Hawley lake is 8 miles of narrow 15/20mph curves, with trees impeding on the road in many places). While the camper may fit, you would not be a happy person getting it there.

 

If you are only camping at the desert lakes, then it is no big deal, as there is much more open space.

 

Personally, I can't stand RV parks. To me, that is just a city in the woods.

 

However, different strokes....................

 

Who knows, when we retire, and financing permitting, we may do just that. At this point, and in the near to distant future, I just don't see it.

 

That said, that looks like a rear lounge model, with a slide-out in the kitchet/living area, slide-out in the Master, and probably a slide-out on the other side of the living area also. You can't tell that I've looked at a lot of RV's, can you??

Edited November 9, 2009 by Extreme4x4

[mettech]

Advantages and disadvantages with each type.

 

The best of both worlds is to own both.

[Extreme4x4]

LOL............. no kidding.

 

On Popup Explorer, there are some who do just that. Motorhome/5th wheel for the long trips to major campgrounds, and PUP for more local, more backwoods camping.

 

I don't have the money for that.

[joihan777]

Curious question, how much "motion" can those pop-up trailer beds handle? Are they quiet or do they let the whole campground know what's going on?

 

I've always wondered that but there aren't too many RV dealerships I'd be willing to test it in.

Edited November 11, 2009 by joihan777

[Extreme4x4]

LOL

 

In a well built trailer, like our Fleetwood, the bed is incredibly sturdy. Now, that said, when small son and his friend thought the trailer was a jungle gym, you could see the trailer moving around. But, when all of us were playing on one bed, and I got out to get something to drink, you couldn't tell anything.

 

So, I guess the answer is, just don't get too carried away, or people will see. The reality is, they will hear you more than see the trailer moving though (being quiet isn't any fun). My solution............ don't camp close to other people, or wait until you get home. LOL

[mettech]

I suggest... you take it outdoors... :happy feet:

[Extreme4x4]

Only if you have a nice air mattress. LOL

 

Otherwise................

 

"dirt, and bugs, and leaves, and rocks, Oh boy" (pick your tune for the song)

 

Nothing, and I say nothing, is worse than sand, however. You pay for that one for weeks.

[Edstock]

Poison Ivy can also create indelible memories . . .

[joihan777]

Nothing, and I say nothing, is worse than sand, however. You pay for that one for weeks.

 

Poison Ivy can also create indelible memories . . .

 

ROFL!

[DUCKRACER]

 

We got a very lightly used 2007 Fleetwood Avalon. We traveled to get it, (275 miles each way) but are tickled silly.

 

It is hard to find a large, great conditioned tent trailer, for a decent deal, here in AZ. So we are very pleased.

 

As you can see, she is a bigun!!!! 16ft box, tandem axles, 4.2cf refer, stove and oven, microwave, A/C, BIG heater, full RV porcelain toilet, shower, hot water, sofa, and 2 king beds. We are loadin her up........ and, work permitting, will be taking our maiden voyage over the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

That is a beauty! Those campers like that have a low center of gravity when they are collapsed so I assume it is a breeze in a cross-wind. No pun intended.

[joihan777]

I just found out that they are now called Coleman Avalon, as Fleetwood stopped selling them.

 

Where I camp (Sierra Nevadas..Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Tahoe etc) bears are a very real occurance.

I'd be a little more 'secure' in a hard-sided camper. Plus less 'squeeking' during 'the night' ;-)

 

Is there any reason you chose this type instead of a Trailmanor hard-sided pop-up camper? Just curious as

I'm still 2-3 years away from one of these.

[fordmantpw]

I just found out that they are now called Coleman Avalon, as Fleetwood stopped selling them.

 

Where I camp (Sierra Nevadas..Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Tahoe etc) bears are a very real occurance.

I'd be a little more 'secure' in a hard-sided camper. Plus less 'squeeking' during 'the night' ;-)

 

Is there any reason you chose this type instead of a Trailmanor hard-sided pop-up camper? Just curious as

I'm still 2-3 years away from one of these.

 

This may not be her reason, but Trailmanors are very expensive. They do offer the security of a travel trailer with the towability of a popup. My parents had one for several years and took it out West (from here in MO). One thing we didn't like about it...you can't get inside to put stuff in or take it out without popping it up, unlike a tent trailer where you can open the door with the top down.

[Extreme4x4]

I just found out that they are now called Coleman Avalon, as Fleetwood stopped selling them.

 

Where I camp (Sierra Nevadas..Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Tahoe etc) bears are a very real occurance.

I'd be a little more 'secure' in a hard-sided camper. Plus less 'squeeking' during 'the night' ;-)

 

Is there any reason you chose this type instead of a Trailmanor hard-sided pop-up camper? Just curious as

I'm still 2-3 years away from one of these.

 

Any kind of hard sided trailer, be it a hybrid (hard sided travel trailer with popout tent ends), a regular travel trailer, or a hi/lo or Trailmanor, you lose a certain amount of connection with the outdoors.

 

Windows are limited, light and outward visibility is limited. It is similar to sleeping in a motel 6........... in the woods.

 

I loved tent camping. However, as I am now old (45), LOL, I want some comfort also. With the tent trailer, I get the amenities of a hard side travel trailer, with the connection to nature of a tent.

 

For me, it is the best of both worlds.

 

Go to an RV lot, and go in a tent trailer that has all of the windows open. Then, walk into a travel trailer. Even if it really means nothing to you, you will be able to see what I mean. When all of the windows are open in our new PUP, it truly is like you are outside. Just like I want it.

 

BTW, MSRP on our PUP is close to $25K. Of course, we paid close to $10K less than that.......... but MSRP is very similar to the Trailmanor. If bears are a concern (they are not, where we go), then something like that may give comfort. If you are careful about what you have around your camp, bears should not be a problem, though.

Edited November 14, 2009 by Extreme4x4