These are more things to set up and tear down. Plus, one of the bonuses of having the stove inside is being able to not have to cook breakfast (or any meal) outside in the rain. The water filter is a good idea and the 90 degree elbow too, is a good idea though.
These things would make more work, not less. The state parks in our area do not have a spigot for every campsite, so you wouldn't be able to run hoses off it. A refigerator is good because they can run on the camper's propane. Anyone who has found water logged burgers or cheese, etc, in a cooler knows the advantage of a fridge. The insulation for the windows on our fall trip isn't a bad idea. It has a heater, but it would probably save some propane and battery if it didn't have to come on so often.
I had a pop up tent trailer that periodically got mold spots on the tip outs. This is nearly impossible to avoid because you are bound to leave any campsite with some organic material on the canvas. Because your trailer is closed for travel and storage that organic material will begin to breakdown and cause mold. Canvas is very difficult to clean because it can be damaged by almost any cleaner except soap and water. That’s where the hydrogen peroxide comes in. Simply open up your trailer on a warm day or even at the campsite before you set up the beds etc. Mist straight hydrogen peroxide onto the canvas wherever you see dark mold. Don’t rub the canvas because you want to keep that material strong. Let the hydrogen peroxide dry and reapply as necessary until all those little mold spots are gone. This will not damage the fabric and will remove all the mold before you have a really big problem. I did this for over a decade on my tent trailer and never had a hole or weak fabric as a result. Just really white clean canvas. I hope this helps someone. I searched for years to find a safe product that works without damaging that canvas. Great video. Oh. I also use it straight on white baseball hats that get sweat stained. Does a great job.
Great tip. To add, I apply 303 fabric protector plus UV protector. Most of my fabric is from sunbrella material. I received this information from Sunbrella. I also use 303 on the pop up cover when I store it. Try to protect everything as much as possible.
We bought covers from Popup gizmos to cover the ends it also was reflective so it stayed cooler. We didn't even to have much mold problems with that. We also made gutters for the pull outs
@@donaldoyler2092 I'm debating on getting the Popup gizmos for my hybrid camper. Have you noticed a big difference in temperature control with using them? I live in Texas and the summers can get pretty hot.
Good tip with the inline water filter. I remember camping as a kid, and the tapped water at the campground was awful. We easily forget that clean and drinkable water is actually a luxury in most parts of the world, including other parts of our own country.
I've watched this video several times, which for me is rare on RU-vid. Usually it's one and done. That's a nod to your quality content and likeability. Keep it up!
I pretty much agree with everything you say and show. I also never use the sink, stove or heater, pretty useless. I cook outside rain or shine, and always have a plastic bowl of clean water on the outside table, not only for washing hands but for fire safety. I think I heated up some soup inside one time during a very windy rainstorm. I've been camping in my Coleman-Fleetwood popup for at least 12 years, maybe 2-3 times a year. If I didn't keep after the repairs continuously, it would quite literally fall apart. I just can't believe how colossally cheaply they are made. Using staples when a wood screw is needed, using tape and staples without any glue, cheap wiring, cheap paneling, cheap everything. I'm surprised they all just don't turn into heaps of rust and sawdust. And, the absolute failure in the availability of parts is pretty bad. I use a small catalytic heater which uses ZERO electricity and works better, and added memory foam pads over the very cheap stock pads. Notice I didn't call them mattresses? Stoves are always a pain in the roids. Keep in mind that Propane (LP) burns about 30% hotter than natural gas and will easily burn your food if not watched. I camp by myself many times and the stupid roll-up awning is always a challenge and waaay too much work for one person. I've had the wind rip it right out of the roof bead channel and blow it across the campground. Conclusion: Popup tent trailers, regardless of make or model are decidedly light duty, for good weather only. They are drafty, offer less privacy in tight campsites and noise, dirt, dust, smells and heat are always a problem. I recommend a hard-side, real travel trailer for there noise reduction and insulation and just all-around better quality and security. But, of course, there are arguments for all sorts of choices. PS: I always take a basic tool kit with several size vise grips and a good selection on spring-clips (like big clothes-pins) and use them for all sorts of things. I rarely drink camp water because of the chemicals, etc. I always have a decent selection of 1.5v batteries. Solar ice: I power a small Dometic ice maker via my solar panel. Having ice in the middle of nowhere is a blessing.
Interesting. We've not had any issues with our River Forrest pop up. Solidly built and heater and ac are awesome. Eventually, I'd like to get a class a only because it's a pack and go and much easier to set up. But with 7 little to bigger grand kids, our pop-up sleeps everyone comfortably
We just bought a pop up camper and it’s my weekend project. I was searching for videos and I totally forgot y’all had a camping channel!!! Wish I was at the keto Orlando summit with y’all!
When we were camping with our pop up camper, we bought a Coleman 3 burner stove and only cooked outside. Only cooked inside if it was raining. Used a milk house heater when fall camping. Those are two things we did when camping.
THIS!!! We had a camper for 11 years (before going to a bigger TT) and did all these but a few. Didn't do a dish station outside - if there were lots of dishes I had a large short bucket that served to wash, but we washed as we went. I cooked on the outside camp stove included with ours in a cast-iron skillet (Blackstone just seems too expensive when a good cast-iron skillet works fine). Don't agree with the fridge removal - we packed a 12v igloo cooler and used both. We just did a britta for drinking water. I do wish we'd have tried an ice maker. Had we not sold and moved up we would have (though I've heard some say they are limited).
Those stock fridges should keep everything cold. Issue with many of these is your propane regulator not being turned up enough. You can get a tester to see what your propane psi is.
Our 3-way also works great in our popup. If we have a cooler also, we cool the drinks down in the 3-way first and then put them in the cooler because although that Engle might be able to keep stuff that's already cold, for a long time, as soon as you put warm stuff in there, it still melts the ice. It's just a matter of physics.
I've had 2 pop ups!! got my little fridge at Lowes and worked great!! We have a huge Rockwood Camper and we love it!! but it's a lot to pull!! ABSOLUTELY love pop ups!!
To all the ppl saying it's too much stuff to set-up and do. Yall must not be true pop-uppers. That's what we do. We add things and love to share with others
We've had a pop-up for 8 years. We've made many modifications, including some of the ones you've made. The camping itself has become more comfortable, but the setup and teardown time have become far more intensive and time consuming. Plus, there's so much more gear to maintain every year. I'm looking forward to selling the pop-up, and all the associated gear, and getting a small traditional trailer in the future.
People camp in the way that works for them. You can't rule people in or out of being "true pop up people" based on how much extra stuff they do or don't bring.
When I was little kid with my parents and my sister used to camp in a pop up camper. We had very fun in it for a little bit over 3 years in it. I even did some tent camping in Girl Scouts. I had fun camping with my family and even good memories,too. We didn’t have a shower in it. Even helping setting up the camper,too.
My biggest tip is we moved the stove away from the camper completely. We had a stove that fit on the outside of the camper (similar to yours), but I didn't want grease to fly up onto the camper. We took a shoe bag holder and made it to fit onto the outside of our camper in that spot instead. That keeps the shoes outside of the camper, but off the ground so snakes would not crawl into them.
I didn’t know my favorite keto couple does pop up camping 😮. So I’m very interested in buying a pop-up or hybrid. I’m trying to plan a huge vacation to Utah next year. Road trip from Louisiana
We took the tiny sink out and replaced both countertops with the marine plastic starboard material. We dont have a slideout so counterspace is king. And I can finally get in there on the surfaces and sanitize without the cheap laminate chipping off bit by bit.
Recommend the folding table as it packs down to 2ftx2ft. I originally ordered one similar to the one in the video and so glad I was able to cancel that order. My Lifetime brand folding fish table is freaking awesome and since it's stored more than it's used it is easily out of the way in the garage. And when in transport it fits easily next to the cooler in the back of the TV. All the parts store inside the table when folded down, such a well thought out table. The only downside for me is the sink has to be shallow to allow it to fold so small. Does the job and love mine. Even use it in the house for when working on PC's in the office. Tons of utility. Lifetime 280560 4 Foot Folding Fish Fillet Cleaning Table
@@plainsight1249 that would have been great in the 60s and early 70s when I had aluminum canoes to lay the paddle on the gunnel but back then we didn’t even know what a pool noodle was 😂🤣
Awesome video, we have a lot in common, our Dad was a Scoutmaster so us boys and our sister grew up Camping in Boy Scouts and our Sister grew up Girl Scout Camping, our parents bought a 1972 Skamper pop up camper trailer and we traveled to many states and parks and campgrounds over the years with our pop up camper. Nice that you all have a roof air-conditioning that's one thing we didn't have and in the Summer months in the South Eastern states would have been great. Great ideas you all put together very impressed.
Not only did I save this video but I was damn near taking notes on all these! What amazing tips!!! One question - and advice on the perfect mattress? I have a Rockwood with 2 queens and a king but can’t say any are super comfortable. Love to hear some suggestions.
Thank you both for your time, ingenuity, and foresight for new campers. You have great chemistry and would love to share a cup of coffee on the trails one day.
I use to think the BAL was the greatest thing since sliced bread. But the larger the PopUp Camper, the problem is that it gets really difficult to use. I now use lynx levelers. After I few uses, you become a pro at leveling and you can do it as fast or faster then using a BAL.
I would have to agree. I have a small pop up Coleman cobalt. I try to keep as minimal as possible. After awhile, i find myself with to much stuff to pack. Most if not all my camping is off grid so minimal is best. So the lynx levelers fit nice and tight packing.
I love cooking inside the pop up. Diesel heater along with the original, battery upgrade, solar panels. Love the propane refrigerator. Upgrade mattress, Cordless drill to lower the stabilizers and raise the pop up. Replace lights with led. I like the reflectx and bed end covers. Just got back from 4 months winter boondocking in Arizona.
We have a coffee maker and microwave in our pop up, at hubby's request. Didn't take much convincing of me, though! Most of our cooking is done outside, though.
We also put 1x1 cut the length of the bar's with the roof up incase the cables broke the top will not fall down on us. We used a outside carpet to keep the sand from getting into the trailer. Took shoes off outside.
We've had our Coleman for 30yrs and never had bad smell issues from cooking inside. Maybe your cooking smelly foods. lol But, I do like to bbq a lot outside when there's a pit. Also, we do use the inside fridge for items we use often, like sodas/waters, condiments, eggs, etc. Our Coleman is pretty large, so maybe we don't have the storage issues some have and feel the need to ditch the fridge and stove. Anyways, what I'm getting at is that I don't agree with everything and that some solutions are necessary for all.
The reflection idea is good but I think everything else is just more work and stuff you have to hull. We use the Campground picnic table and washing station and our own camp stove We never cook or keep food in our popup
Thanks for the great tips, guys. We just discovered your channel. The tip for the blackstone adapter is new to us and the outside table fabrication is great.
Very nice video, really informative. One question: when you put the reflective insulation over the bed windows, doesn't it get really dark inside. can you get any daylight inside the camper? I'd hate to miss the views of outdoors, and nature. Or, maybe you use it only at nighttime? Thanks for your response.
I'd love to see how you attached the outside sliding bracket to the pop up. I'm clueless and wouldn't want to damage our pop up. Great tips, thanks for sharing.
Great info. We use quick connections for all water including the 90. Also to raise the roof we use a combination of a Torque multiplier and a 18 or 20 drill. We also use the drill for the stabilization
Sry. When I go camping I 1) have a tent that sets up in the back of my truck 2) have 2 fold out tables for cooking and dishes 3) carry 3 water jugs for drinking and washing dishes 4) 3 large Rubbermaid containers 1 for my cooking and eating supplies 1 for my food 1 for all my misc stuff tarps straps lights roll up carpets bucket and bags for bathroom, I even carry a tarp for the out house etc Takes me about an hour to set up and break down. All of my camping is boon doc, but there is a couple times I do camp where there is bathrooms. That’s just how I roll!!!
I’m curious, why not just use a Brita pitcher for water filtration? I too like clean water and have a tabletop cube maker, but I think it might be simpler to just use the pitcher for drinking water and cubes.
Hey Guys! I'm not sure if you still have your pop up camper. I'm just wondering how you attached your DIY tarp awning to your camper. I'm about to begin this project butthe plans i have leave a gap between the trailer and the tarp it looks like you have a better way to attach it than I do!
Some great ideas! We lucked into an incredibly great deal on a stripped down pop-up, with a two year old replacement canvas (think electrified tent on wheels) four years ago. Since then, I have been looking at ways to improve set up time and ease. We are lacking a table to attach to the stove bracket on the side of the popup. I think your idea might do the trick!
I'm a new subscriber and I liked this video. I'm looking into purchasing a used popup camper soon for full time living. Since I'm by myself, would I need to open both sides of the camper bed wings? I'm looking forward to learning more from you. From Orange Park, FL.
Great video guys, both for the information and the video quality. I just sold my popup (going to the dark side of travel trailers). I do have one comment about the table connected to the camper. That works great, if you always camp at relatively flat campgrounds. We go to the Adirondacks in NY. Some of the sites required 6 - 8 inches of lift on one side, and 2 - 4 inches of digging in on the other. A side mounted table could be a foot +/- higher up. Very difficult to use. We opted for a folding table right outside the door. Worked great!! Aside from that, we had very similar "solutions" to your hacks. Keep on camping and stay safe.
Before we bought an RV, we rented one to see if we liked it. Worst part of the rental was the smell that got into the AC system from previous renters grilling/frying inside the RV. We vowed to never grill anything inside ours. We have a small folding table and a Coleman Fold n Go grill with a griddle attachment. Uses tiny amounts of propane and folds up into a small bag. Also have an inexpensive butane one burner stove ($12 on sale) that we use for one pot meals and heating hot water outside. Keeps the camper cool and we put a cover over the stove burners inside and use that for food prep space.
Great hacks. Just curious how long it would take you guys to set up. Been a tent camper for a long time and can set up fast..heard these take a long time. Gizmos are a pain to set up on my folks jayco hybrid.
We have a hybrid and have the high wind pop up gizmos (PUGS) as well. Two things we use with the PUGS: 1. PUG Ears from Sunfast Products - they supply a tool that lets you clip the pugs above the tip out without having to climb up, 2. A couple of small carabiners from the dollar store that we attach to the PUG bungee cords All we have to do is clip the PUG cord to the ears, than grab the carabiners and clip them together. Takes about a minute for each side.
Our awning recently got torn off by a wind gust. It looks like your awning is simply a tarp? Was it a DIY project? Do you have a video on the awning that appears in this video?
Yes, that was a tarp that we just bungeed on but we did add an awning later. Here's the link to that video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wPOzH8rZr9o.html
