Bob Shaw
Newnan Ga
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Joined: 06/26/2007
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We did it in the late 70's for a month in a Coleman pop-up, 3 kids, a dog, and a cat. We went from South Florida to Wisconsin, across the North Shore of Lake Superior, down into Michigan, then to Pennsylvania, and then down the Sky Line Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway through Atlanta and back to Florida. It was great. I was younger then so setting-up and tearing down were not so much of a problem. It was so good, I was planning a longer 6 week trip the next year, but, moved to a new job instead. The biggest issues we had were two blown tires on the pop-up, and no heat in a provincial park in Canada, at the northern tip of Lake Superior. It was June 30 and we had to knock ice off of the canvass before we could fold-up. It was summer, and we were from Florida so we were not prepared for cold weather. We slept under beach towels.
It's definitely doable, and it will be something you and your children will remember all your lives.
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crosbygroup
california
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Joined: 02/19/2007
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We did a month long, 6,000 mile PUP trip this summer. We have 3 kids and 106lb dog. I loved every minute of the trip including the set up and take down, but we tried to stay multiple nights. I'd rather drive longer and stay 2 nights in one place then the other way around. We also stayed 4 or 5 nights at our major destinations (Glacier, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and the Black HIlls).
Don't stress about all the details. When you are on the trip you will adjust what you need to and make it easier for each new pop up and down. One thing I added to the PUP on this trip was a medium size slow cooker. When we stayed with electricity I'd throw on a pot roast or soup and dinner would be waiting for us.
I'd rather stay in my PUP bed then any hotel room bed!
Crosbygroup 2008 Fleetwood Avalon Highlander
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. ~Henry J. Tillman
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Patami
Washington
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Joined: 03/17/2008
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crosbygroup wrote:I'd rather stay in my PUP bed then any hotel room bed!
Oh, man, me too. With my 500 TC sheets, and my down comforter.....my own soft pillows..... I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it.
2008 Fleetwood Saratoga
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd. (I think I can! I think I can!)
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PopUpTom
Subject to Change, TN for now
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Joined: 08/27/2005
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I found out on our last "adventure" that the little woman can't stand all the time on the road. I tried to find some more scenic routes, but she didn't appreciate them as much as I did. You may have the same problem with the kids.
On the overnighters, the less set-up and cooking you do, the faster the departure will be. Let the kids sleep in and gently tuck them in the car in the morning. Have breakfast at a rest stop when they wake up. PUP take-down and crabby kids don't mix.
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traywolf
PA
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Joined: 05/06/2004
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Without knowing where you want to go, it is hard to give great advice.
I would suggest limiting your trip the first time out. If it works well, then maybe go further/longer next time.
Limit the amount of set up stuff if you plan on getting out early the next day. Everything you pull out in the evening adds time to your breakdown in the morning.
Make breakfast very simple, maybe even eat in the car after you pack up. Stuff like cereal, pop tarts, etc, can cut an hour out of your morning pack up.
Figure out where you want to go, then ask here for specific advice.
Focus on a few places to visit and really enjoy/explore them.
"Man learns from history, That man learns nothing from history"
2000 F-150
2003 Coleman (fleetwood) Carmel
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AZJIM1
Phoenix, AZ
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Joined: 02/29/2004
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Although we have not traveled cross-country (at least not yet!) we have done a couple of fairly long trips the last couple of years that involved overnight stops.
Teamwork, minimum setup, and arriving not too late at your destinations makes it work much better for us. We often don't setup the dinette on overnight stops for example . . . either eating outside or just hanging out on the "down" dinette.
1999 Coleman Westlake that replaced STOLEN!!! 1987 Coleman Sequoia
2006 Honda Odyssey
Me, Wife, Daughter, Son
A Pack (Two) of Australian Shepherds
MY MOD AND CAMPER PICS HERE
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lovemountains
North Carolina
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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One the days we broke camp, we ate a simple breakfast outside; cereal & juice, and used disposable bowls, spoons, etc. That makes it easier to leave in the morning.
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burkehouse
Twin Cities Area, Minnesota
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Joined: 07/17/2003
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Pack light, take only what you need, and have the kids help. My husband, our daughter, and I can set up or tear down our pup in 20 minutes. We have times where we set up at 7 pm, spend the night, and are out of the campground by 7 am. No problem.
Burke
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525pilly
Vancouver, WA USA
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Joined: 12/18/2002
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The summer our boys were 6 and 9 years old we spent over 3 months in a 10 foot pickup camper. That was over 30 years ago, and they still remember a lot of it.
We have traveled with a travel trailer, 5th wheel and the PUP, and find the setup time to be about the same with all of them, although the PUP is a little more "physical" having to raise the top and extend the beds.
When I first saw this post I mentioned it the the DW, her comment was it would be "better in a PUP than a camper."
I say do it, it will be an experience you'll never forget.
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the hangman
Green Bay, Wi
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Joined: 05/09/2005
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We just got home from a 2500 mile camping trip and I have two peices of advice:
#1 - Books on Tape; we listened to Harry Potter on CD. Each book is about 12 hours long and it really helps pass the time.
#2 - Do whatever you can to reduce your setup/packup time. We are lucky in that we can popup and fully extend the bunks while leaving the camper attached to the tow vehicle. Try not to put too much stuff in the popup aisle that needs to be moved everytime you setup.
Jeff
2005 Fleetwood Valor
2007 Nissan Pathfinder
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