DFD

Mentioned this in OT, here's the thread.

Wife and I love camping. It was one of the first things we did when we met 8 years ago, and we've been in a tent the entire time. We've played with the idea of a camper on and off for years. Ideally we wanted a teardrop, but those things are stupid pricey. Then we discovered the dirt cheapness of a used popup camper. Decided to start looking over the winter when people wanted them gone, and finally found this beauty with an old guy that just wanted it gone:



2006 Fleetwood Sea Pine. Includes a king bed in the front, a full in the back, with a lounge and dinette. Also a furnace, water heater, and outdoor shower.

Picked the nasty bitch up for $2k, probably going to spend another $500 sprucing it up. First thing is a good cleaning. The numbers on the front are just some old grease pen, they wipe off easily. Most of the grunge of the thing is just dirt, it'll look great when clean. Planning on popping it up next week to start work on it, so more photos then.

Wife has gone full blown on the thing, examples below.



This thing is our exact model:
https://www.dreamingofhomemaking.com/bl ... per-reveal

level of right there. Hardly seems like camping any more but also looks like a fun project for you 2 to do together.

#wapapproved

wap wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:40 am
level of right there. Hardly seems like camping any more but also looks like a fun project for you 2 to do together.

#wapapproved

approval!

Still no AC, and power will be limited to just running the heater and some LED lights. It'll still be camping, just in a bit more comfort.

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:43 am

wap wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:40 am
level of right there. Hardly seems like camping any more but also looks like a fun project for you 2 to do together.

#wapapproved

approval!

Still no AC, and power will be limited to just running the heater and some LED lights. It'll still be camping, just in a bit more comfort.

Well, perhaps it's still camping, but certainly not roughing it any more. Not criticizing in any way mind you, and with the on board heat it'll let you expand "camping" season earlier in the spring and later into the fall, which is

Dumb question. What's this thing weigh, and, thinking down the road a bit, will a Gladiator be able to tow it no problem?

wap wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:51 am

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:43 am
approval!

Still no AC, and power will be limited to just running the heater and some LED lights. It'll still be camping, just in a bit more comfort.

Well, perhaps it's still camping, but certainly not roughing it any more. Not criticizing in any way mind you, and with the on board heat it'll let you expand "camping" season earlier in the spring and later into the fall, which is

Dumb question. What's this thing weigh, and, thinking down the road a bit, will a Gladiator be able to tow it no problem?

These things weigh nothing, a Gladiator won't even know it's behind it.

wap wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:51 am

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:43 am
approval!

Still no AC, and power will be limited to just running the heater and some LED lights. It'll still be camping, just in a bit more comfort.

Well, perhaps it's still camping, but certainly not roughing it any more. Not criticizing in any way mind you, and with the on board heat it'll let you expand "camping" season earlier in the spring and later into the fall, which is

Dumb question. What's this thing weigh, and, thinking down the road a bit, will a Gladiator be able to tow it no problem?

Expanding the camping season was a huge consideration. We also had 2 camping trips rained out last year...we can just take this instead and if it rains, we'll have fun inside the camper.

It weighs 2,500 lbs...heavier than you'd expect, but not that bad. A Gladiator won't notice it...my ZR2 barely did towing it home yesterday.

the in me is impressed. Same story on wanting a tear drop but searching other options.

My dad bought one of these when I was a kid and didn't tell my mom. She was furious and made him sell it asap. Till then we camped in the back yard here and there for a couple of weeks. It was pretty awesome as a beater. He didn't have the will power or fucks to give to clean it up and fix all the little things that could of made it worth a damn, but if I had one of these now it would be cool to have for getting out there. I'm used to primitive camping from going on motorcycle trips with buddies and not having anything but a tent and having to make with whatever we can find. But one of these is great because you can kind of get out there quick with minimal prep. You've also got a truck/car you can shove shit in so you don't have to worry about doing shit to the camper.

Just make sure it's got no leaks and clean it up and it'll be pimp. I think the only negative is storing it

my FIL had one like this where the top failed and wouldn't close correctly or was stuck closed and couldn't open. I heard some horror stories but he is also pretty ham fisted. :iuno:

for your cost of entry i'd give it a go.

dubshow wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:57 am the in me is impressed. Same story on wanting a tear drop but searching other options.

Teardrops are expensive. It makes absolutely zero sense that you can buy a full 25 foot trailer for the price of a dinky teardrop. I don't get it.

Acid666 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:59 am My dad bought one of these when I was a kid and didn't tell my mom. She was furious and made him sell it asap. Till then we camped in the back yard here and there for a couple of weeks. It was pretty awesome as a beater. He didn't have the will power or fucks to give to clean it up and fix all the little things that could of made it worth a damn, but if I had one of these now it would be cool to have for getting out there. I'm used to primitive camping from going on motorcycle trips with buddies and not having anything but a tent and having to make with whatever we can find. But one of these is great because you can kind of get out there quick with minimal prep. You've also got a truck/car you can shove shit in so you don't have to worry about doing shit to the camper.

Just make sure it's got no leaks and clean it up and it'll be pimp. I think the only negative is storing it

Yep, no leaks...I looked hard for that. It really just need a good cleaning and refresh. The mechanical systems haven't been used in a while, so we'll see what I can get working. All I really care about is the furnace. The water systems aren't a big deal to me.

Storing it is going to suck a bit. Going to leave it in the driveway this summer and maybe find some place to park it for the winter with a cover over it. We'll see.

dubshow wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 11:02 am my FIL had one like this where the top failed and wouldn't close correctly or was stuck closed and couldn't open. I heard some horror stories but he is also pretty ham fisted. :iuno:

for your cost of entry i'd give it a go.

The lifting mechanism is simple, but needs regular lubrication/maintenance. Mine goes up and down rather easily, but I'm going to go through it anyway to make sure it's reliable.

These things are stupid cheap. If you want a camper, it's worth looking for one.

Best of luck/times with this Chris. I'm I wish we would have been in a position to do that camping lyfestyle when my kids were younger......

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:54 am

wap wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:51 am



Well, perhaps it's still camping, but certainly not roughing it any more. Not criticizing in any way mind you, and with the on board heat it'll let you expand "camping" season earlier in the spring and later into the fall, which is

Dumb question. What's this thing weigh, and, thinking down the road a bit, will a Gladiator be able to tow it no problem?

Expanding the camping season was a huge consideration. We also had 2 camping trips rained out last year...we can just take this instead and if it rains, we'll have fun inside the camper.

It weighs 2,500 lbs...heavier than you'd expect, but not that bad. A Gladiator won't notice it...my ZR2 barely did towing it home yesterday.

I assume this thing is much more rain-proof than a regular tent so that's a good point in its favor as well.

I didn't expect 2 big beds in something that small. Will you keep both or punt one to give some more space?

Also at the example. Looks like they have (at least) $500 in bedding alone...

troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 12:32 pm

I didn't expect 2 big beds in something that small. Will you keep both or punt one to give some more space?

Also at the example. Looks like they have (at least) $500 in bedding alone...

The most expensive part is going to be recovering the cushions...that will likely be nearly $500 alone.

All the other stuff we already have. Wife has done so much Pinshitting in the house over the years that all this stuff exists in boxes in the basement. Bedding, curtains, decorations, mugs, etc. I have enough scraps from other projects to do the floor, paint the cabinets white, and redo the table.

And the beds fold out...they take up no space when it's setup.

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:29 pm And the beds fold out...they take up no space when it's setup.

Your beds pull out.

But i don't.

What does the furnace run on? Propane? 110V or 12V?

Electrical and water systems are easy as hell on these things. If something needs to be replaced it's not a big deal and generally really cheap.

Looks good to me. Check the date stamp on the tires, they can be a bitch to find if you're away from civilization and need to replace one. Ask me how I know.

@troy the cabinets fold down inside and the beds slide in on top of everything. When you crank the top you pull the beds out and off of stuff. They don't really take up any room inside. Also, we comfortably fit a family of 6 in ours.

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:28 pm

troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 12:32 pm

I didn't expect 2 big beds in something that small. Will you keep both or punt one to give some more space?

Also at the example. Looks like they have (at least) $500 in bedding alone...

The most expensive part is going to be recovering the cushions...that will likely be nearly $500 alone.

All the other stuff we already have. Wife has done so much Pinshitting in the house over the years that all this stuff exists in boxes in the basement. Bedding, curtains, decorations, mugs, etc. I have enough scraps from other projects to do the floor, paint the cabinets white, and redo the table.

Does it have an awning? I heartily recommend an awning if it doesn't have it. Get a little outdoor rug thing to put under it too. Really helps with the vibe, and the awning/rug thing helps keep your floors cleaner. Our camper floor was disgusting after about 10 minutes at camp every single time.

Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 2:49 pm

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:28 pm
The most expensive part is going to be recovering the cushions...that will likely be nearly $500 alone.

All the other stuff we already have. Wife has done so much Pinshitting in the house over the years that all this stuff exists in boxes in the basement. Bedding, curtains, decorations, mugs, etc. I have enough scraps from other projects to do the floor, paint the cabinets white, and redo the table.

Does it have an awning? I heartily recommend an awning if it doesn't have it. Get a little outdoor rug thing to put under it too. Really helps with the vibe, and the awning/rug thing helps keep your floors cleaner. Our camper floor was disgusting after about 10 minutes at camp every single time.

I like these ideas.

wap wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 12:15 pm

Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:54 am
Expanding the camping season was a huge consideration. We also had 2 camping trips rained out last year...we can just take this instead and if it rains, we'll have fun inside the camper.

It weighs 2,500 lbs...heavier than you'd expect, but not that bad. A Gladiator won't notice it...my ZR2 barely did towing it home yesterday.

I assume this thing is much more rain-proof than a regular tent so that's a good point in its favor as well.

Ehhh
Don't touch the canvas walls if its raining.

I've never really looked at popups before, maybe I should?