Community Forums

Kip Barker · 09-14-2008, 04:51 PM

I have been reading about many of the pop up campers. I like the Alaskan Camper pop up with hard wall after it is raised. I am wondering what is the advantage of a soft wall pop up vs the hard wall pop up?

Kip Barker · 09-14-2008, 04:51 PM

I have been reading about many of the pop up campers. I like the Alaskan Camper pop up with hard wall after it is raised. I am wondering what is the advantage of a soft wall pop up vs the hard wall pop up?

magic43 · 09-14-2008, 05:12 PM

Read the posts on the "long trip = need help" thread. Steve_N_29 answered most of your questions regarding the Alaskan.

The advantages for me included lighter weight, more room, and the shower facilities, which made it "no contest".

Lorna · 09-15-2008, 06:25 AM

We full-timed for 17 months in a hard-sided Apache (Vintage Orphan). 2 adults, 2 kids, 1 large dog & 1 antique cat. It survived more than 1 micro burst from storms that weather folks estimated to be 100mph. This time frame also included a hard Chattanooga TN winter (lots of snow & ice that year). We weathered many hard NC & GA mountain rain storms with out any leaks, unlike canvas pop-ups in same campground with us. It just was too much for me to set-up & knock down by my self (although I have done that). If I were buying a pop-up camper today, my choice would be for a hard-sided unit. My top choice would be one of those TrailManors because I could set it up by my self.

magic43 · 09-15-2008, 08:36 AM

Since this was posted in the "Slide In" (Truck Camper) forum, my answer addressed the questions that I thought the OP was asking. As far as I know, TrailManor is a bumper pull unit. (I too have spent many nights in an Apache hard side pop up pull trailer....Many of which were well below freezing in Wyoming.)

My opinion to the OP strongly favors the Outfitter pop up TC over the Alaskan.

Kip Barker · 09-15-2008, 09:36 AM

Yes I am looking at slide in TC.

I have not seen an Outfitter in person. Searched Craigslist last night and found a used one about 100 miles away, may have to go look at it.

magic43 · 09-15-2008, 05:32 PM

Also, if you call Bob at Outfitter, he will arrange for you to look at a customer's unit close to you. Any of us who own an Outfitter will gladly let you take a look.

By the way, many owners (me included) had never seen an Outfitter until we drove to Longmont to pick up our own custom built unit.

I had done my research looking at the different manufacturer's web sites. Look at www.outfittermfg.com.

Lorna · 09-16-2008, 05:36 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by magic43:
Since this was posted in the "Slide In" (Truck Camper) forum, my answer addressed the questions that I thought the OP was asking. As far as I know, TrailManor is a bumper pull unit. (I too have spent many nights in an Apache hard side pop up pull trailer....Many of which were well below freezing in Wyoming.). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry! Just pointing out my experience with a hard-sided unit comparred to a soft-sided/canvas unit. And that my experience was so favourable that I would buy another hard-sides unit as well. Won't post in this forum again.

Trails2004 · 09-19-2008, 08:05 AM

Lorna

Your welcome to post here- those guys get a little touchy

magic43 · 09-19-2008, 03:38 PM

Trails, I'm surprised to see you reference me as one of "those guys".

You should know me well enough to remember that I do not enter into arguments regarding brand names etc. As a matter of fact, look in the other thread running and you will see in my first post that I recommended Outfitter or halmark.

In this thread, the OP was asking about soft wall pop ups vs hard wall pop up truck campers. Lorna's answer was clearly refering to pull campers. Notice in my answer that I "addressed the question that I thought the Op was asking". The OP responded that "Yes I am looking at slide in TC".

I tried to be respectful and still point out what the OP was asking. In no way did I mean to be disrespectful to Lorna.

I hope that you will take me off of the "those guys" list.

magic43 · 09-19-2008, 03:51 PM

Trails, the other thread that I refered to is "long trip = need help".

In my first post I suggested Outfitter or hallmark. I gave the web address of Outfitter because I knew it, but didn't know hallmark's

Steve_in_29 · 09-21-2008, 11:22 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Lorna:
Sorry! Just pointing out my experience with a hard-sided unit comparred to a soft-sided/canvas unit. And that my experience was so favourable that I would buy another hard-sides unit as well. Won't post in this forum again.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>No need to get all bent out of shape. The OP posted a question about hard-vs-soft sided truck campers (on the truck camper forum) and while your experiences with travel trailers are valid the info doesn't necessarily cross over into the TC world. A pop-up TC has appreciably less softwall to contend with then a pop-up TT. The TCs current softwall material is also a far cry from the canvas of old. Lowering a pop-up TC for travel is also nothing like doing the same for a TT. Simply close the door/windows, turn the fan on high exhaust and lower away. The sides are neatly sucked into place as the top goes down. It only takes one person about a couple of minutes from start to finish.

Steve_in_29 · 09-21-2008, 11:25 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Trails2004:
Lorna

Your welcome to post here- those guys get a little touchy

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>Sorry but the only person I noticed acting touchy was Lorna. Magic43 merely pointed out that the OP's question was about TCs and posted in the TC forum.

So no need for you to stir the pot with "those guys", as it brings nothing to the table as far as answering the OP's question.

Steve_in_29 · 09-21-2008, 11:31 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kip Barker:
I have been reading about many of the pop up campers. I like the Alaskan Camper pop up with hard wall after it is raised. I am wondering what is the advantage of a soft wall pop up vs the hard wall pop up? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The advantage/disadvantage of both depend on what type of camping you plan on doing and in what weather. Letting us know how you plan on using the rig would help people give more meaningful answers. Also while you provided the Alaskan as your hardside of choice, providing the softside you are comparing it too would help as well since they are not all made the same.