Pop-up camper

I’ve always viewed a vehicle and sleeping set up as gear, so that’s why I’m posting here.
Has anyone had experience with a pop up camper? The price is right on those, but we’re curious about wind/dust and genera weather. Thanks for the help. 

I’ve got a Four Wheel Camper. Weather is no issue (rain, wind, snow—granted it’s good to keep the roof swept). Allows me to have a 4WD vehicle and a warm, dry place to sleep and cook.

Any specific questions you have?

Are you asking about a rooftop, pickup bed or trailer type popup camper?

A trailer pop-up camper.

We Switched from van to A frame popup trailer. Love it- it’s great to be able to detach and have 4wd capability without packing up.  Especially if one in the group is taking rest day. East to tow, takes about 5 minutes to level and detach, and literally less than a minute to pop up. We had one mega wind storm in Moab and got sand blasted. Could have turned trailer 180* to mitigate but wasn’t worth doing. Very comfortable with heater and solar, extends camping season by several months for us old farts. 

Where are you typically leaving the camper when you go off with your car? RV campsites typically? Are you ever able to camp in non-campsite areas?

I typically sleep in my subaru but it sort of sucks and if I'm traveling with my partner it means finding campsites to tent. 

I've been debating a van vs. pop-up trailer vs. change nothing and can't really decide. 

drew A wrote: I've been debating a van vs. pop-up trailer vs. change nothing and can't really decide. 

Interesting, I’m in a van and have been considering selling and switching to Subaru. I like my van, but I’d like something slightly more off-road capable, without going to jeep or truck. I really only sleep in my van now tho. No kitchen or bathroom doesn’t bother me

drew A wrote:

Where are you typically leaving the camper when you go off with your car? RV campsites typically? Are you ever able to camp in non-campsite areas?

We never use RV sites. Typically Forrest service campgrounds, often dispersed camping in BLM. The A frame pop up has great clearance, I can get it in places my van would never go. 

Greg R wrote:

We never use RV sites. Typically Forrest service campgrounds, often dispersed camping in BLM. The A frame pop up has great clearance, I can get it in places my van would never go. 

Greg - what brand/model A frame camper do  you have and what type of vehicle to tow with?  Thx.

ZT G wrote:

Interesting, I’m in a van and have been considering selling and switching to Subaru. I like my van, but I’d like something slightly more off-road capable, without going to jeep or truck. I really only sleep in my van now tho. No kitchen or bathroom doesn’t bother me

I hear that. I'm often happy to have my nimble and capable Subaru on shit roads. And I'm often jealous of friends camping in their nice big vans. Grass is greener sort of thing. 

Pop-up trailer might be a best of both worlds thing? Or maybe it's just a huge hassle? I can't decide. That's why I've just stuck with what I have over the last several years. 

Teardrop.  Light, depending on what you get, tows great.   I paired mine with a hard top rooftop tent for my kids and climbing partners.   I only camp in remote areas, never campgrounds so routinely unhook it to drive to climbing spots for the day.   I spent 40 years sleeping in tents and on the ground, never again unless I’m backpacking.   It’s nice to roll into a campsite at night or when it’s raining and just climb inside a dry comfortable trailer and not have to bother pitching a tent.  

Ron C wrote:

Greg - what brand/model A frame camper do  you have and what type of vehicle to tow with?  Thx.

We have a Chalet, Alpine is the model, (1500  lbs). Sleeps 4,two tables, seats 6+, 8’ ceiling at peak, We tow with 2003 Chevy s10 v6. Definitely a bit slow going over Colorado passes but overall does fine. Would not try it with a smaller engine. Some of the newer trucks probably have more power. I know my friends Honda pu with v6 flies up hills w camper. 

Thanks for all of the input!

We (wife, me 2 dogs) camp in both BLM and established sites, but not sites with hookups.
We camped out of a Subaru for years, but not interested in that anymore. 

I also think we’ve moved on from a typical pop-up after looking at one the other day.
Thinking more along the lines of an Aliner-style (like the chalet mentioned above), or a tear drop. The quick set up for both styles is appealing  

J T wrote:

I’d be careful with a tear drop. They have a lot of “aura” around them but are only really nice for sleeping in and securing campsites in my opinion. Most are just a sleeping area with an outdoor kitchen in the rear. Being able to stand/hangout inside of a camper is one of my priorities and the reason I have never considered a teardrop, personally. If you are looking at those style of campers I would recommend looking at a scamp or casita.

As a teardrop owner all those are legit things to take into consideration but when it came down to accessing areas that require a 4x4 there was no other option.  I looked at the Aliner and similar hard sided pop ups but was disappointed in the build quality and poorly designed suspension, great for on highway and mild dirt roads but horrible for really getting into the really remote areas I like to climb.  My buddy has a Chalet and took it to one of the climbing spots in the Mojave we like to frequent, it just about got rattled apart on the washboard.   It was nice sitting at a table inside though when it got windy.    I do really like the Casita or Scamp, maybe when I get older and I’m happy going to more accessible areas I’ll go that route.  

I sold our pop up truck camper this fall and purchased a 13ft trillium which is a scamp knockoff.  It's nice to leave the trailer at the campsite for the day while you drive to the crag.  With a lightweight fiberglass shell and readily available parts I'm pretty satisfied with the upgrade.  We are mostly out on Forest Service/blm roads but don't do any 4wd roads.  It's quick and easy to hook up for a trip and it's nice to leave it in the driveway in between trips so I can have my truck for other stuff.

We also used to have a trailer pop up and  liked it but it was hot with the plastic walls so we sold it and got a 13' casita and really like it .No wind and has a shower.