bondebond
Central Kansas
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Joined: 07/16/2008
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Let me throw one more "bonus" at you: my wife got a very peaceful evening tonight, except for the occassional sound of the table saw in the garage, as I was making modifications to the PUP.
She walked out into the garage for something and said "Oh, I didn't know you popped it up tonight."
What can I say?
Myself, The Boss, and two wanna-be Bosses
2006 Jayco 1007
There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who can count, and those who can't.
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jtbeck
Kentucky
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Joined: 04/23/2008
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Don't let bears make your decision about whether or not to get a PUP. If any of you think that a hard-sided TT is a barrier of any sort to a bear that wants in, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you, too.
I would agree that it would take a bear longer to get into a TT. But don't think for a second that a bear won't get in if it wants to.
An S&W 500 is a bear deterrent. A camper isn't. A bear will peel a camper like a grape.
Me (69), DW (69), DD (95), DS (00), DS (01) and 1 camping toy fox terrier (08)
95 Fleetwood Utah, 02 Ford Explorer Limited (V8)
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 03/19/2005
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jtbeck wrote:Don't let bears make your decision about whether or not to get a PUP. If any of you think that a hard-sided TT is a barrier of any sort to a bear that wants in, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you, too.
I would agree that it would take a bear longer to get into a TT. But don't think for a second that a bear won't get in if it wants to.
An S&W 500 is a bear deterrent. A camper isn't. A bear will peel a camper like a grape.
Realistically that might be true. However, for some campgrounds, Fishing Bridge for instance, fabric walled popups and hybrids are prohibited while hard sided popups are permitted.
If you never go to campgrounds with these restrictions then it does not matter.
The bear issue does not matter to me. My reason for avoiding the fabric popups was I know myself well enough that I would not properly maintain the fabric. Basically, I'm lazy. Folding hard sided popups are less work than soft sided. Not much, but some.
Wayne in San Jose
TV1:2002 Chevy 1500HD 4wd Crew Cab,Valley Odyssey brake ctlr,McKesh mirrors
TV2:2008 GMC 2500HD long bed 4wd Crew Cab,GMC brake ctlr,GMC mirrors
TT:Trailmanor 2720
Honda 2000
Yamaha WR250R,Polaris Sportsman 700 X2,Polaris Scrambler 500
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jtbeck
Kentucky
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Joined: 04/23/2008
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Sorry. I wasn't very clear. Don't let the FEAR of bears keep you from getting a PUP.
PopBeavers is absolutely correct. There will be campgrounds that have rules about it. And that may well be a valid concern where you will be camping. Around here it's not an issue. And as you've been a tent camper for so long, these rules shouldn't affect you too much as you wouldn't have been able to tent camp in those places either.
If you're afraid of bears simply avoid camping where they may be. That's what I do! I don't have even the slightest desire to see that sort of nature up close. That's why the Good Lord gave us zoos! 
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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While camping in the woods I have seen: black bear, beaver, antelope, skunk, marmot, porcupine, snakes, deer, moose, elk, bobcat, fox, coyote, owls, eagle, just to name a few.
I have never seen a mountain lion nor a grizzly. I hope to some day. Not necessarily up close and personal. Badger and wolverine would also be interesting to see in the wild.
Since I have no plans to visit Alaska, I doubt I will encounter a polar bear.
I wonder if there are any other large or interesting animals in the US that I should ad to my list? But that would be a different thread.
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LtKeefer
USS Caine
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Joined: 08/15/2008
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You are not selling out, a pop up is a tent, albeit on wheels!
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bondebond
Central Kansas
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Joined: 07/16/2008
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PopBeavers wrote:Realistically that might be true. However, for some campgrounds, Fishing Bridge for instance, fabric walled popups and hybrids are prohibited while hard sided popups are permitted.
If you never go to campgrounds with these restrictions then it does not matter.
The bear issue does not matter to me. My reason for avoiding the fabric popups was I know myself well enough that I would not properly maintain the fabric. Basically, I'm lazy. Folding hard sided popups are less work than soft sided. Not much, but some.
Fishing Bridge has other reasons for hardsides only. Not 2 miles from it is the largest campground in Yellowstone: Bridge Bay. The park staff told me they had a bear go through that campground only a week before our staying there.
Hardsides give the illusion of more protection, but I can find you some videos of bears pulling apart vehicles and RVs if you're not sure.
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shenandoahvalley
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
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Joined: 02/09/2007
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I love tent camping but it's gotten too hard to get up off the ground. There are a lot of other issues that have already been addressed but IMHO get the PUP...you will never regret it. RE your comment about backing a lawn cart...those are the most difficult things in the world to back. I can back tractor trailers, a 30' TT, a PUP, utility trailers, etc. I can't back a lawn cart two feet. GO FOR IT.
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coloradodave
Colorado Springs, CO, US
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Joined: 12/29/2004
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The last time we tent camped it go so cold that night, that our air mattress completely deflated, no, not a leak! The dogs teeth were actually chattering by morning. So we bought a PU. Its nice, and easier to pack than tent camping. As we left pots, pans, silverware, plates, etc. onboard, along with all the sleep gear. So all we had to pack for each trip was clothes and food. And never had a problem with leaks in our PU. Having a porta potti onboard was nice too. Still has that nice open tent feeling.
'04 Coachmen Mirada 300QB
DH & DW
DS & DD
2 dogs
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bondebond
Central Kansas
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Joined: 07/16/2008
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Ok, we're curious.
Have you purchased a PUP yet?
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