When going to get a used popup, trailer, or motorhome, there are obviously things to look for before making the big purchase. Here are some main pointers for completing this task. Remember- the more you know, the happier you will be with your purchase down the road (literally and metaphorically)!

As mentioned in another post, the value of these things depreciate very quickly. Even in a year, your new investment will have already decreased greatly in value. This, of course, is where buying used comes in. The savings are huge, and the difference between used and new can be minimal if you play your cards right. A used big unit may be the same cost or cheaper than a new, smaller unit.

Research, people. Research is what it’s all about. Being patient and acquiring the right knowledge on what you’re looking for will make the task of buying the perfect used unit much easier than going in blind.

Of course, when looking at a used unit, you should place overall condition high on the list. Remember this- the exterior of the unit is the easiest part to keep nice. What you really need to look into is the interior. Has it been smoked in? Pet or kid inhabited? Etc. Also, make sure everything is up to date mechanically and electrically. You don’t need a fire hazard on your camping trip. With RV’s, check out the drivetrain, undercarriage rust, tires, and everything else that you would when purchasing a vehicle. Yes, you are going to need to do a big time inspection to be sure that what you are looking at is worth the price. If there are problems, no matter how small, learn how much the repair or replacement will cost you, and tack that on to the initial price. Maybe it will still be a good deal, given the seller realizes these things, but more often than not, the seller will try (maybe even unknowingly) to hide these issues. Go over all switches, lights, and appliances inside of the unit. Make sure the water system and restrooms are functional (hot AND cold water, as well. I have seen many water heaters go out in said units). Check out the a/c. Check out the heat. If you aren’t mechanically inclined enough to look into the engine, electrical components,etc.. bring along a buddy or maybe even hire someone who is. Ask to test drive, or “test tow” the vehicle as well, not only to make sure everything functions correctly, but to be sure that you feel comfortable with maneuvering on the road with the added size.

Back to the bottom line though, the price. Obviously, you are going used to save money. If there’s a big dealer mark up, you’re shooting your plan in the rear end from the get go. Knowledge is your best friend here. There’s tons of price guides out there to find a great guideline on what’s a good deal and what’s not. Take advantage of the web and use the resources available here. Hopefully, you’ll soon find yourself in the used unit that saves you money and fulfills your desires.

Big, bad RV motorhomes. These campers are the most expensive option out there, but for good reason. You can hop into a motorhome and tour the country, no popping up, no hitching up, and no towing (unless you’re towing another vehicle, which is another added option with a motorcoach).These bad boys aren’t for the feint of heart, though. These gas guzzling vehicles have created a sort of cult among retirees and adventurers alike. There’s clubs everywhere for these things. Motorhomes are often the most convenient option, but not always. Of course, if you are a very frequent traveler who makes long trips, the motorhome will probably win most times. Another plus with motorhomes is the ability to “roam” the area while traveling, You can relax on the couch, make a meal, or sleep on a bed while on the road. You can’t climb into a travel trailer or popup and do this. I suppose you probably could, but you would regret you did, not to mention legality issues. I digress though. Motorhomes are obviously the most expensive option. Of course, there’s always exceptions to this. You can find used Class C’s (for example) for below 20, even 10, thousand. However, the cost of these is all over the charts. They have monstrosities that go into hundreds of thousands of dollars, more than the average house. These are the cat’s meow though, with more than most of us would ever need. Proper research is important while on the market of a motorhome, with varying options available and at all sorts of prices. Another plus about motorcoaches though is that it’s the easiest to find EXACTLY what you want. From plain options and the arrangement of amenities to engine size and style. There are so many different ways to go on this one. Google is your friend. GREAT deals can be found on used RV’s in pristine condition. Of course, you have to factor in insuring a vehicle, the gas it’s bound to consume like a dehydrated football player, and space available for it’s storage. There are many applications where motorhomes rule, such as ones that require a trailer or another vehicle to be towed behind. You can’t do that when pulling a travel trailer. The best advice that I can offer to someone looking into a travel trailer is this; You cannot do enough research. The more research you do, the more educated you will be, and the happier you will be if, and when, you purchase your own. I’ve owned many different motorhomes, and all had their pluses and minuses. Some of these may have been dealbreakers to others, and some may have been perfect. It’s a very personal purchase.
To name a few companies that offer full blown motorhomes, there’s Winnebago, Fleetwood, Chateau, Monaco, Lexington, Holiday, Dorado, Sunseeker, Itasca, Gulfstream, Airstream, and so many more. Get to work!

Travel trailers are made with typically with a seasonal or full time use in mind. Usually, Travel trailers are less than 18-25 ft. long and have simple amenities such as a sink, stove, microwave, and small restroom. As far as weight goes, most weigh 5,000lb and up. Travel trailers have impressive interiors and cargo areas. They are more than suitable as a “home away from home” and are generally a bit more comfortable and convenient than popup trailers.

Travel trailers make sleeping, eating, personal care, and relaxation away from home possible.  While the amenities are definitely compact, they are more than suitable for providing you with anything you may need. Although things may be less roomy than your house, there’s still enough room to get around and once again, like most trailers and rv’s, there is far more space inside than what you would believe by looking from the outside.

Of course, there are drawbacks to a travel trailer vs. a popup trailer. First, storage needs to be considered. Lots of people do not have room to park a medium to large sized travel trailer at their homes without it consuming a considerable amount of their yard. Also, fuel mileage is greatly decreased, even versus popup trailers. The travel trailers create a lot of wind drag. The initial cost is also more expensive than a popup, and of course, insurance comes into play. One could also consider the added load to their vehicle with a full size travel trailer. Vehicles do wear out, and the bigger the trailer, the more demand that is placed on your vehicle’s suspension and drivetrain, which could lead to problems for not so heavy-duty vehicles. The big trailer will also draw more money at the toll booth. For big travelers in mind, this is something to consider, but the big-gamers would probably go with an RV anyways, which is obviously the same deal.

There is a HUGE selection of travel trailers. Moreso than popups. There is a great used market which can find great prices. Just do your research on the used trailer you have in mind. Also, there is a nearly infinite amount of selection on the new market. It should be mentioned though that new trailers’ value depreciates rapidly. Those with more money than most won’t care, though, and still want that clean and shiny new trailer, which is also totally fine.

A short list of travel trailer companies include Airstream, Coachmen, Fleetwood, Jayco, Starcraft, Scamp, Casita, KZ Recreational vehicles, and Bridgeton. Look them up and see what you like and what you don’t like, and find the trailer perfect for you! Hope this helps!

Of course, everyone loves summer travel. However, keeping safety in mind is a must. Camper towing is done by many each year who don’t think about the risks and dangers that come with the fun. You need to be educated on the topic if you will be towing a camper or trailer. The safety steps aren’t difficult to learn, and it ensures a safe and fun getaway for everyone involved.

First off, make sure all cargo inside your camper is secure. This is one of the biggest mistakes made by rookie towers. All of the items left loose are nothing more than mobile “stuff” on the freeway ,and anything that can move, will move. You don’t want to kick off the trip by cleaning the camper for hours or having to go without needed items that ended up broken, open, or just plain destroyed. Put the items in the vehicle with you, or make sure you have everything strapped down in the trailer so that it can’t “migrate” during travel. Take care of this ahead of time to save time later.

Also, having a buddy to help with trailer hookup is always a great help. You can save a lot of time, frustration, and swearing by obeying this. Lifting a tow bar or getting the ball in the hitch can be quite a chore when going solo. Just don’t lift more weight than what you’re capable of, otherwise your trip could come to an abrupt hault before you even leave the driveway.

While on the topic of hitching, the most important issue of all must be addressed. Proper hitching. You’ve heard much too often of a trailer coming unhitched. This promises to be expensive… nobody wants a destroyed trailer and vehicle,not to mention the threat of severe injury. While making sure she’s all hitched up properly, hook up the lights and inspect them all to make sure they are all in working order before rolling down the road. You don’t need a traffic ticket or accident.

Taking the time to learn what needs to be done to properly tow your trailer or camper is the greatest insurance policy you can have when making your trips. It doesn’t take long, or cost you anything, to make sure you’re doing everything correctly. Negligence can result in big bills and big injuries. Where are the best places to find all of this info? Right in your vehicle owner’s manual, there will be a section devoted to towing. Also, check out the owner’s manual for the trailer or camper you’re pulling. It’ll give you model specific details. Hope this helps!

As everyone here is well aware of, camping is a great way to take in all that nature has to offer. Popup campers are a cost effective, simple way to enjoy comfort while out in the wilderness. A great alternative to tents, pop up campers can be rented or purchased for a price that won’t hit too hard on the wallet. Brand new popups can be found from around $4,000 all the way up to $12,000. There is also a huge used market out there for such campers. Used popups can be found for very fair prices.A big plus to popups, being a trailer, have the ability to be towed behind nearly any vehicle with a hitch. A small car can even handle the load with ease. Of course, a hitch will likely need to be purchased as well. Popups have a nice, low profile, which is good for two main reasons: Minimal vision obstruction and minimal wind resistance (which hurts fuel economy significantly, as seen with traditional pull behind campers). Popups are surprisingly roomy when expanded, and one who hasn’t taken the time to check out the inside of a set up unit would be pleasantly surprised. Families with children can fit comfortably with their own separate areas.Also it is thought that popups are difficult to set up, but this is most definitely not the case, not even in older used models. They simply crank up and secure to their position, and you pull out slide out areas , if applicable, and you’ll be ready to go. Never forget to put down the stabilizers on each end of the camper to ensure it can’t tip when somebody is in it. Popups can be set up very easily, from the most ignorant beginner to the most experienced expert. Remember- popups have had years and years of time to perfect the design and the easiest, quickest setup method has been optimized. Setup time total ranges from 30 minutes to an hour, which is longer than an RV, but the difference in cost more than makes up for this pitfall.  Also, most big tents can easily take this much time to get properly set up while providing far inferior protection to the elements. A popup camper should be considered by anyone interested in a cost effective “home away from home” in the great outdoors. You’ll have the security and comfort that your old popup tent never could. Popup campers are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

A short list of popup trailer companies include Rockwood, Fleetwood, Coleman, Viking, Starcraft, Lees-ure,  A-liner, and Tentrax. Give them a search and check out all that popups have to offer!