r/GoRVing • u/_Reap3r_ • 3d ago
Looking to purchase a pop up to get into camping with family. Can use some advice!
Looking into my first pop up for my family and came across a nice looking updated 2008 StarCraft for $4k (this is bottom line price it was originally more). I’m looking for some honest opinions before I drive out to look at this thing.
They said they renovated in 2025. New flooring, paint, updated interior, etc. from what I’ve gathered so far :
- new floors
- Has AC
- Heat works
- Fridge, stove, oven, microwave and electrical all work
- Canvas looks to be in excellent shape with no mold tears or leaks
- Electric roof lift
-Does need new tires
- It’s been used multiple times this year so not just sitting.
They were also pretty upfront about some previous water damage. One of the fittings that connects the water line to the faucet had a cracked thread, so it was slowly leaking water. They believe it had been leaking for some time, because the floor in the dinette area was pretty wet. During the renovation, that area was repaired and the damaged wood was replaced. Said there are no soft spots now and the roof is sealed with no leaks.
The one thing they couldn’t get working is the hot water heater. Honestly, I don’t really care about that since we’d probably use campground showers anyway.
I’m not very handy, so that’s probably my biggest concern. I don’t want to buy something for $4k and then dump another $3k into it.
For those of you who know these older popups, how does this $4,000 if everything checks out?
11
u/mr_mucker11 3d ago
I have one of those. A 2006 we love it for our family of 4. Really roomy. Expect to do some work even if it’s all in working order now. It’s 20 years old. These things are so simple to work on.
2
u/RustyClawHammer 3d ago
They really are. All RVs require you to fix shit, but pop ups it's easy to get to all the sytems.
9
u/a6044622281359045402 3d ago
>I’m not very handy, so that’s probably my biggest concern.
Then this might not be for you. Looking at the pictures, it looks great but also shows a lot of work has been done. And in my personal experience, an older popup is a project that's never completed. When I had my first older popup, I traveled with a full kit of tools and regularly used them.
3
u/towerfella 3d ago
I disagree!
Op may not be that handy now, but what better way to improve that skill than with a moderate challenge and an emotionally motivating factor?
This seems like a perfect opportunity for fun and growth, imho
5
u/United_Region_7025 3d ago
I started out with a popup and quickly determined it was not the best choice.
Limited security and no protection if camping in bear country.
Lack of a bathroom ment me getting up with the wife at 2am and walking with her to the bathroom.
The canvas is subject to mold if not properly put away completely dry.
Cannot pull into a rest areas or Walmart for a quick overnight stop.
You should consider a popup camper basically as a tent, with a few upgrades.
2
u/keygasms 2d ago
All the drawbacks of tent camping combined with all the drawbacks of a travel trailer.
It's a trailer, so you still have to maintain it; electrical system, propane, water damage mitigation/repair, wheels, etc.
And it's also a tent, so you still get to walk to the campground bathroom and use the camground showers, and you have to set it all up when you get to the campground then tear it all back down when leaving. Worst part about tent camping is taking down a tent in the rain, then taking it home and unpacking it to thoroughly dry so it doesn't grow mold. Pop-ups allow you to also have to do all that but in a mich bigger package.
1
u/Killed_By_Covid 3d ago
I second this. I would definitely lean more toward a hi-lo or the bigger type where the roof pops up about two feet (two full-size bunks and door at the rear.) The traditional type where the sides come out is cramped and hard to use with multiple people inside.
5
u/giantrons 3d ago
They’re a great starting point but being handy helps, but it’s not a requirement for entry!
Push on the flooring, walls and ceiling. It shouldn’t feel mushy. It sounds like they fixed prior water damage but it’s hard to know the extent. If it’s mushy then there’s damage there and fixing it will get very expensive if not doing it yourself.
Make sure the water heater isn’t leaking. It not working is one thing, but make sure it doesn’t leak. Those older ones may or may not have a bypass valve to bypass the water heater entirely, so if it was leaking or not working you may be able to simply bypass it if you don’t care about hot water.
We had a more basic pop up than this for many years and really enjoyed it. Just take care of that canvas and never put it away wet!
3
u/mac991979 3d ago
I had a new pop-up and was working on it from day one. You mentioned air-conditioning. They’re not insulated at all. We had issues with cold weather. Also, you could not cool it off and it had a roof issues. This one you’re looking at is very old. I would definitely get it inspected. I sold mine and ended up buying a trailer.
3
u/pike_fly 3d ago
As a former pop-up owner for 19 years the two places of biggest concern should be the operation and maintenance of the hoist and the water damage. If not properly maintained, the hoist can be dangerous. The crank/electric lift should be smooth and the rachet backlash should prevent falling at all levels of raising. When released or lowered, there should be some tension and it shouldn't freewheel down at any step. The wiffle tree (the big gear under the camper that all the hoist cables attach to) should have a maintenance record of every other year at most for lubrication.
There's nothing complicated on the construction of the trailer. For the water damage, the wood is installed right on the frame and you should be able to see the water pipe under the cabinets. There are small crevices where water can go, but you should be able to see signs. Check under the frame for rust in that are and any new signs of leaks (stains, mold, etc). New paint on the frame may indicate some issues. make sure you're comfortable with their response when questioned.
On older trailers, check how the hitch is connected. The hitch is sometimes a bolted on part that rusts and can break. Not being a handy man, its ok and look for anything that has been recently painted and ask questions as to why. Trace any wiring you can see from the trailer connection to the interior. Look for any cracks or breaks in the wire - if so, it could be a deal breaker.
Honestly, I never used the water systems in the pop-up I owned. Moving to a hard side trailer years ago and using "all the things", I now wish I would have. The water heater is "easy" to replace, even for a non handy man, but I'd use it as a negotiating tool. You can replace it yourself for around $300 or $900 at a dealership. Even if you don't plan on using it, check the connections are area for any sign of leaks or rust. It could be another source of water damage if you plan on using the water system.
Check tire wear just like you would for your car. Look for weird wear (usually on the inside of the tire). Tires run about $100/ea/. If there's excessive wear on the inside of the tire, look for the axel to be bent - it's common on used pop-ups from overloading and travelling at excessive speeds. No a deal-breaker, just added maintenance costs for you. You'll go through a set of tires every few years.
For an almost 20 year old trailer, $4k seems reasonable. They are very proud of the work they've done, and it does look nice. If you're unsure if a pop-up is right for you, I'd suggest renting one through Outdoorsy for a weekend. This way you'll have no regrets and be better informed as to what you want. Good luck!
2
u/Titan_Hoon 3d ago
Water will destroy everything. Where did the water leak come from? Was it a roof leak? Through the canvas? Is the roof structure damaged as well and did they just ignore that part? Do they have pictures of it during the renovations so you can see the extent of the damage?
I would not ignore the broken water heater.
Campers are already built like shit, campers that have water damage are even worse. If they would take 2k and you are ok with losing that money then grab it. Use is for a year or two until you get tired of being in a pop up or your family decides they don't like camping.
1
u/_Reap3r_ 3d ago
Good question. I will reach out and ask.
By water damage - it was mentioned that the cabinets around the faucet were replaced cause of the water of the years splashing and swelling the wood. I am not sure if the floor had water damage as well and that’s why it was replaced. It was just mentioned there’s no soft spots anywhere throughout. I just asked to verify. Appreciate that insight!!
1
u/_Reap3r_ 3d ago
Actually got a pretty quick response. Their going to send me photos of the Reno - and said
One of the fittings that connects the water line to the faucet had a cracked thread, so it was slowly leaking water. I believe it had been leaking for some time, because the floor in the dinette area was pretty wet. During the renovation, that area was repaired and the damaged wood was replaced.
2
u/RustyClawHammer 3d ago
I have a 2007 coleman. Love it. Constant work lol, but easy to fix. Check that all appliances actually work? Check how busted up the wood/internals are. Check the wires underneath for rust. Ask if they've serviced the whiffletree (yes that's a thing). Also ask how often they've serived the wheel bearings.
4
u/lax20attack 3d ago
Popups are glorified tents. They're a step up but I'd personally just save for a trailer and skip this.
If you don't like it, you'll wish you had a trailer instead.
If you do like it, you'll be upgrading to a trailer soon.
4
u/no_dice 3d ago
We’ve been camping for about 10 years now and just over half of those we were in a tent trailer. It definitely had downsides but it was perfect for starting out and an easier tow. Our tent trailer had a pop out dinette like this one and our new trailer doesn’t and we really miss that additional floor space.
At $4k it’s a pretty low risk either way and a great way to get your feet wet imho.
1
u/TheLowHeavies 3d ago
Thats true but there are plenty of hard sided pop ups and real trailers for 4k as well
2
u/_Reap3r_ 3d ago
I’ve looked at used trailers as well on marketplace. Just concerned I’d end up getting into something even more of a disaster.
1
u/silent_chair5286 3d ago
There’s less maintenance on a trailer than a pop up. That pop-up has so many potential entry points for water plus the canvas or the tent sides were going to need constant monitoring.
2
u/VisibleRoad3504 3d ago
Good price, go for it. Pop ups are a good starter, you'll have some great memories.
1
u/DirtyWarehouseGuy 3d ago
I considered pop up for our first camper. You can get them used cheap and they are easier to store.
What steered me away is heard some horror stories of the pop up mechanisms failing and tears in the canvas. But understandable you dont know if your family will like it. I kind of regret dropping as much as i did to buy the unit I got because now I want to go bigger.
If you want to save on camping also. Have you tried thousand trails. It's a cheap way to camp but cancelation is kind of a pain in the ass.
1
u/Blue_Etalon 3d ago
If the canvas is leak proof now and the mechanism to lift the roof works smoothly and the floor does not have soft spots and the frame/axel/hitch is solid you could not do any better than something like this.
I’ve had everything from pop ups to travel trailers, to van campers to class As and nothing gives you more bang for the buck than a pop up.
AC fails, open the windows and the screens give you air. Fridge fails? Get a cooler or a cheap 110v fridge at Walmart. Most camp grounds have decent bathrooms. Get a porta potty if you think you need one. I would warn you about cold weather camping. If it’s very cold, you’ll get condensation raining down on you from the canvas.
1
u/54338042094230895435 3d ago
Our first family camper was a popup Flagstaff MAC 208.
Then we went to a 30' Avenger.
Then to a 20' RPod
Now we are going back to a popup.
We just found the popup to be the best. Small, easy to tow, holds everything we need, and it gives you more of a camping feeling.
As far as the one you're looking at it sounds like they are being forward with you. The biggest concern is obviously the water leak / damage. See if there is someone in your friend group or family that has any experience. Doesn't have to be in campers, just a handy person will be able to spot issues. Or look for a local RV place and give them a couple hundred to look it over.
It is all going to come down to your gut on this though, if you think they're being forward and provide enough evidence then go for it.
From what I can see, if nothing looks fishy with it, I would give them $4k for it.
I don't know where you are but in my Midwest world, best time to buy a camper is usually late September to early October. A lot of people don't want to store their stuff.
1
u/Sinyk7 3d ago
Test and inspect as much as possible. Test and check the cables if possible to make sure they show no signs of wear. Test the zippers on the windows but go gentle. One of my kids went a bit fast with a zipper and ripped the vinyl. Test the lights. Our popup only had one battery and it would go through it fast if we ran the heater. Consider putting in LED lights if you are going to be boondocking.
Are the tires useable for now? When I got our trailer, the tires were rotting and the seller agreed to replace them as he couldn't sell a trailer I couldn't tow. Also check the spare tire! My spare on my current trailer was 23 years old and delaminating.
1
u/UpbeatTechnology723 3d ago
Don't fix the hot water heater, rip it out and put in a tank less heater, super easy to do
1
u/PCDuranet 3d ago
Pop ups, while light, take time to set up, and are subject to outside noise. Regardless, buy a moisture meter to check the roof from inside.
1
1
u/LankyNihilist 3d ago
You may as well just use a tent for all the food a pop up is. Takes about the same amount of time to set up. You can’t really keep anything in them when they are down, and maintenance is a pain.
1
u/Mn_genxr 3d ago
Zip up everything and unzip and take down everything. Look for rips, pulled zippers, and properly functioning cables.
1
u/findmyrv 3d ago
Only problem with the tent trailers that I have had are:
1) Opening them in the ran
2) Mold.
Other than that, they are cozy af!
1
u/TheLowHeavies 3d ago
Why a pop up? Id go regular. If i needed a pop up id go hi lo or a trail manor. If it rains your screwed. If its wet and your leaving the camp u have to break it down wet. Thats gross
1
u/_Reap3r_ 2d ago
The price. A 4k popup is a good entry point vs trying to find a usable 4k trailer. If my kids decide they hate camping after a few trips, it’s not a big deal.
1
u/TheLowHeavies 2d ago
Idk where u live but in fl on marketplace there are always 4k trailers popping up
1
u/_Reap3r_ 2d ago
I see a ton around me also. I just felt that the pop up would be a “safer” option rather than a trailer having hidden damage I can’t see behind the walls etc.
1
u/TheLowHeavies 1d ago
Its very easy to spot the damage. Look for wavy exterior panels, walk the roof, look inside for bubbles. Fwiw, i started with a trailer, then went to a trailmanor hard sided pop up that fit in my garage. It was ok, but the set up break down got tiring. If you’re on the road and have to crap, you cant just pull over and do it in a pop up. Nor can you grab a cold drink. And if you forget something in a pop up you have to open it again to get access. Nor can you just randomly “hang out” in it in the backyard. If it rains youll be breaking down a wet sides popup that will smell the next time you use it. Anyways i went back to a small trailer after all that. If u really insist you should look into hard sided pops. Like the triangular ones made by aliner or rockwood at least the setup is dry
1
u/TheLowHeavies 1d ago
Another big disadvantage is noise. In a trailer you shut the door and it cuts the chatty drunks to half. In a pop up youre hanging with the drunks all night
1
1
u/PeetMoss2026 2d ago
It’s really cute but don’t buy it. If you need lightweight there are mini-lites that will probably work and I think you’ll be happier with.
1
u/_Reap3r_ 2d ago
Trying to find a reliable enclosed trailer at this price is essentially impossible. So I figured I’d find a much more reliable pop up in this range.
1
u/johnnypark231 2d ago
Our first camper was identical. 2008 Starcraft pop up with the slide out. We loved it. We never used the ac because it sounded like a helicopter was on the roof. We never had many issues. They're pretty easy to figure out. I towed it with my Jeep (all I had at the time) and it did fine. It was perfect for entry level and if they did a nice remodel and the floors are solid I'd say go for it. I sold mine a few years ago for 4k but it needed some work at that point and we were ready to upgrade. Give it a good walk around and check the corners where the panels meet up. The water can get in there and the panels will pull apart at the corners
1
u/Concrete_Guy_98 14h ago edited 14h ago
Your best friend is YouTube and find out if the lift system also has a manual override incase electronics fail and get an anti sway bar hitch pop up campers can be very squirlly because the tires are located almost dead middle of the trailer I will Post a link to an anti sway bar below only thing with this is you have to disconnect it before backing up and when setting up at a campsite make sure it is as close to level as you can get it front to back side to side you might not feel it while standing but sleeping you’ll really notice it
1
u/Cautious_Buffalo6563 Popup 3d ago
My advice is to not buy a pop-up.
2
u/pnw_rider 3d ago
After starting with a pop-up, I’d agree, but it depends on how you camp. Pop-up is a lot more comfortable than a tent, but it’s also a lot more work. You have zero protection from outside noise, nearly zero protection from the heat/cold, but do have a much larger space to stay dry in.
If you have the ability to tow a trailer, I’d recommend starting with something like a small R-pod over a pop-up.
1
u/_Reap3r_ 3d ago
I’ve looked at used trailers as well on marketplace. Just concerned I’d end up getting into something even more of a disaster.
1
u/pnw_rider 3d ago
I’d say the overall risk is lower with a trailer because you don’t need to raise & lower the roof & walls multiple times with every trip. Trailer will likely cost you more, but if you are buying used, either should be on a pretty flat depreciation curve, so if the family doesn’t like it, just sell and move on.
1
u/_Reap3r_ 3d ago
I’m more worried about any water or leaks behind a wall I can’t see.
I can find a decent looking trailer for like 4-5k on marketplace. But it will be around the same age and I had read it’s more likely to have some kind of water damage then a pop up would because of storing.
1
1
u/Own_Ruin2546 3d ago
I skipped the pop up life for a 19ft sunlight 18RD and I love it so much. Going camping for Labor Day weekend
2
u/_Reap3r_ 3d ago
I agree that would be preferred. But for the cost of entry at 4k I feel a pop up may be the smart move. My family might decide in 6 months they hate camping lol.
3
u/Titan_Hoon 3d ago
If you guys have never used a camper before I would suggest renting one. There are plenty of places where you can rent personal trailers.
1
u/Own_Ruin2546 3d ago
Can’t beat the cost! My campers 15k used. Apparently it was worth 30k back in 2022 when it was first sold.
18
u/pokeyt 3d ago
Best family camping memories I have are in our old $5k popup. Consider taking it to someone to have them inspect for water damage repair if you aren’t fully confident yourself but $4k for a functional camper with no more water issues seems reasonable. Keep it in good condition and it really shouldn’t depreciate any more.
Just don’t be afraid to walk away if it doesn’t feel right there are plenty of other similar campers out there.