Pop-up or hard-sided camping trailer?

[Squatch]

My wife and I are looking to get into the RV scene, but want to do so smartly. We don't want to spend a brazilion bucks on a camper, but want one that makes sense. We have an '04 Grand Cherokee with a class IV hitch and the 265 hp V-8, so that obviously limits us to something under 25 feet.

Anyways, just looking for some ideas.

Squatch

[Richardo]

1. No sex threads.

[Left Is Write]

2. Naughty minds think alike.

I'd've said the same thing if you hadn't gotten here first.

[leftofthedial]

3. tent

[politicat]

4. Why don't you rent one of each and see which you like better?

Pop-ups are good during the summer months, but IIRC are cold and yucky if you like to go out in the winter. Hard sideds are heavier, though, and are going to put more wear on your engine.

The local dealer rents them for a couple hundred a week during the spring and fall, and about 350 a week during the summer. You might call your local dealer and try out a couple....

[Squatch]

5. Yeah, that's a good idea. Thanks!

I know the Navy bases around here rent pop-ups for cheap-as-shit, so I'll try to see about snagging one. Thanks!

[Blue Diadem]

6. We've had both and I prefer the hard side

I always thought the pop-up was a pain in the you know what. We had to pop it up to load it, take it down to leave, pop it up when you get there, take it down to leave. Then once you get it home you have to pop it up again to unload it then take it back down. Storage was limited. I watch my neighbors go through it everytime they go camping. Ours was back in the days of crank-up..now they're motorized aren't they? Also not sure if the new ones have bathrooms or toilets..ours didn't.

We loved our travel trailer. It was much easier. I could keep everything for camping stored right in it and only load food and extra clothing. We finally rented a permanent site and didn't have to tow it or store it.

There are some lighter travel trailers out there. Sorry I can't remember the name..I just know my daughter and her ex had bought one.