LOOK! -- We Bought A New 2004 Coachmen Clipper Pop-Up (Fold-Down) Camper!

[arwalden]

We've been talking about it for years... and today we finally made the plunge into the world of RV-ing. Only instead of taking a "PLUNGE" we're just getting our feet wet.

We've enjoyed tent camping all our lives, and ten years of camping together has been fun... but this year we decided that our summer adventures will include this baby.

Even though it's the 2nd from the bottom (basic model), it's still not cheap. But, this really isn't an impulse purchase either and we've done a little homework. I think we made a wise choice based on our needs, expectations and budget. Also, if we give it the same care and maintenance that we do with the rest of our camping equipment... then it should last 20 years (or until we tire of it and decide to graduate up to a full-sized travel trailer or 5th-wheel).

But, until then I imagine that we'll go broke just buying accessories and add-ons and other gotta-have gadgets and space savers that make a luxury camping experience complete. (For Pete's sake... we've already added on a rooftop air conditioner before we even pulled it off the lot!! $500.00 BAM! Gone! Just like that! *poof*)

-- Allen

[ironflange]

1. Congratulations!

You are going to have a lot of fun in that thing. We tent-trailered it for several years, loved it. Slightly drafty but lots and lots of room. We traded it in for a "real" trailer several years ago, and still get out as often as possible.

Where do you live? Do you have good places to go?

[arwalden]

4. We Live In Maryland... There Are Plenty Of Trips Within A One-Day's Drive

in PA, VA, WV and NC (if we push it and get up eeeearly).

Friends tell me that I'm just trading one set of headaches for a different set of headaches... and I can see what they mean. But I can only imagine that it would be worth it if only for the added comfort of not having to balance on an inflatable mattress on an bit of bumpy and less-than-level tent floor.

Supposedly, setting up camp and breaking camp can be done in less time than it takes to lay a ground cover, unroll the tent, stake the tent, insert flex poles, take out flex poles and RE-insert into PROPER side of tent, attach fly, inflate mattress, etc, etc, etc.

:-) We'll see how it works out. I can't wait!!!

-- Allen

[LynneSin]

20. HEY!!! You forgot Delaware

We have great camping in Delaware and we're near the beaches and you'll be near ME!!!

:eyes:

[arwalden]

22. Delaware Has Beaches??

... sorry... I did forget Delaware. That would be an easy drive too and I'll have to investigate to see where we can go.

I don't automatically think of DE as the hot-spot for camping vacations... looks like the DE tourism board needs to get hoppin' and get the word out.

-- Allen

[pagerbear]

28. Have you never heard of Rehoboth?!

Even I know about gay-friendly Rehoboth Beach! (But then I spent my first five years in Delaware.)

[arwalden]

29. Of Course, You Silly Goose... I Was Only Kidding

Dewey Beach is fun too.

-- Allen

[DS1]

2. That looks like a lot of fun

I used to have a model fold-down camper, like a matchbox car on crack when I was a kid.

[terrya]

3. Very cool! You guys deserve it,

Enjoy. :-)

Terry

[arwalden]

5. Thanks, Terry.

:-)

[terrya]

6. I wasn't aware that they made those campers anymore. I always thought..

that they were very utilitarian and relatively easy to haul, yet were comfortable. A nice sort of compromise.

You and Mike have some great times, ok? :-)

[supernova]

7. Nice camper, Allen!

Have you planned your first outing yet? Can you stand up inside?

[arwalden]

10. Yep... I'm 6' Tall, And There's About 4-5 Inches Clearance

-- Allen

[Crewleader]

8. Congratulations Allen.. Friend...

:hi:

And Happy Camping!

[arwalden]

11. Thanks... It's Quite A Departure From Our Old Routine

of inflatable mattresses and confusing fiberglass bendy-poles to set up a dome tent... but I imagine will manage to muddle through the new challenges. (At least we'll be COOL during the hottest part of the day when camping in the summer.)

It's even got a heater for fall camping. I can't imagine myself EVER camping in the dead of winter though.

-- Allen

[WillParkinson]

9. Gay men and camp...

They just go together! <grin>

Congratulations. I hope you have a great time.

[arwalden]

12. Talk about CAMP?! -- We Christen Her... "Priscilla: Queen Of The Ozarks"

-- Allen

[WillParkinson]

14. <LOL>

My dogs think I'm nuts now, thank you!

[Lars39]

13. I am soooo jealous! : ^ ) We drool over the brochures once in a while.

You'll be glad you got the air conditioner; it will make summer camping so much easier. My dad recently traded up his truck camper to one that has air conditioning and a bathroom/shower. Very nice.
I haven't been able to go camping for about a year now, but I'm itching to get out in the boonies, tent or no tent. :)

[arwalden]

16. Yep... I'm Throwing Away All Of Our Soggy Drool-Covered Brochures...

... and web printouts.

I'm also going to do my DARNDEST to avoid spotting any SALES and SPECIALS that were a better deal than what we got. (But ain't that always the way? As soon as you buy something, someone else has it marked down lower.)

-- Allen

[Lars39]

24. And don't wander around any used campers...

'cause sure as shootin' you'll find one that was only used once by Aunt Hettie, the clean-freak. :)

[Red State Rebel]

15. Pop ups are a great way to go!

If your anything like me, you will love being up off the ground :). It's still close enough to tent camping with added convenience.

I heard a comedian say about camping: Why would I want to work my butt off all week to spend my weekend living like I'm homeless. I never thought of it that way - cracked me up!

Enjoy!!

[arwalden]

21. That's A Funny Comparison... But It's SO TRUE

Being off the uneven-tilted ground will be one of the things I'm most looking forward to.

AND being able to stand upright while getting dressed. AND being able to pee inside without having to get dressed to find a discreetly hidden tree or hike-it down to the campground facilities.

-- Allen

[boobooday]

17. Hey looks like fun!

Me and hubby have a dream something like that too.

Happy camping!

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[arwalden]

23. There Are Many Places To RENT Pop-Up Campers...

so that you can get a feel for what it's like before you plop-down a bucket of money on it.

Or... if you think you'd only use it a couple of times a year, then renting would DEFINITELY be the way to go.

-- Allen

[jburton]

18. Fun!

After using the propane cooktop inside you will wonder how you ever camped without it!

[arwalden]

26. You're Reading My Mind...

I'm thinking that it's probably going to be okay to leave home the Coleman stove. I'll still have to bring along some spare fuel for the lantern... but not having the stove to worry about will make things easier. :-)

-- Allen*

*A fan of Hank Hill, propane, and propane accessories.

[LynneSin]

19. So when are we going camping???

:bounce:

I love to camp! I'll even cook!!!

:bounce:

[arwalden]

27. It Sleeps 6 UNcomfortably... Or Three With Ease

Whenever you're ready!! Just let me know.

-- Allen

[RebelOne]

25. Oh, wow!! That looks like a home on wheels.

I have never been camping, but that looks like a great way to do it. Looks big enough to have a bathroom.

[Pithlet]

30. Looks nice!

Have fun. :bounce:

[shanti]

31. congrats! how much does that baby weigh?

my van can only pull 1000 pounds and i'm thinking of one of these myself.

[arwalden]

32. 1357 Lbs... Unloaded.

My Concorde will tow 2000 lbs easily... but how well it handles is a different story. I'll keep you posted (if you're interested.)

-- Allen