Jack Hart
Florida's Nature Coast
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Joined: 11/28/2016
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I own an Outfitter Apex 9.5 popup, and other than having less stealth capability, I don't see a lot of disadvantages. It gets better gas milage than a hard side, is better in a crosswind, can fit in a standard garage, has a full shower and marine grade toilet, a fridge with freezer, A/C, furnace, and plenty of headroom in the queen bed. The dinette, dinette bed and toilet can all be used with the top down, which works just fine for a quick overnight stop in a Walmart parking lot (although the bed is a little cramped for two. The camper, all up weighs about 2100# which works out pretty nicely on our F-250 with airbags and upgraded shocks. Going offroad is certainly feasible, but it's not a Jeep. I carry a spare crank for the roof mechanism, and the actually cranking up takes only a few seconds. Preparing to lower and lowering takes longer because items need to be stowed and the sidewalls properly folded in. We haven't experienced too many weather extremes, never much below freezing or above 95, but it's been comfortable in this range. I do like the light all the windows in the popup provide.
![[image]](https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/l/t31.0-8/15675683_1454431261234454_6803860836109233377_o.jpg?oh=a47722aa95295c68bcd4f2ebca98294b&oe=59311E66)
* This post was
edited 02/20/17 08:57am by Jack Hart *
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joerg68
St. Ingbert, Germany
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Joined: 02/27/2009
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Our personal experience when we changed from the Lance hardwall to the Outfitter was that fuel economy got slightly worse - maybe due to the cabover design, I don't know.
Handling was significantly better with the Outfitter. You could tell ont the first few feet driving off the parking lot. And I agree that it has the same amenities as a hardwall, up to and including the trick fold-up bathroom.
We are going back to a Hardwall (Northstar Arrow) for the 2017 season, but there are more reasons at play than just some minor disadvantages the popup had for our specific usage.
The truck was the same all the time, btw.
2014 Ford F350 XLT 6.2 SCLB + 2017 Northstar Arrow
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whizbang
Kenmore, WA
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Joined: 08/20/2003
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I've had two pop-ups and one hard side. The lower height pop-ups both handled much better on rough roads. The hard side had more creature comforts.
I disagree with the comments about stealth camping in a pop-up. I've stealth "camped" on several occasions with the top DOWN --- simply sleeping on the dinette. With the top down, my pop-up still has access to the frig, cupboards, and porta potti. The stove, cab over bed and sink are unusable. I can't make coffee in the morning, but, since I camped in a Starbucks parking lot twice, coffee was not an issue.
BTW --- I find the pop-ups plenty warm in sub-freezing weather, and, I like all the screened windows in warmer months.
I think the right camper for you is the one you find that "feels" right and fits your budget.
Whizbang
2002 Winnebago Minnie
http://www.raincityhome.com/RAWH/index.htm
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hedgehopper
Denver
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Joined: 11/16/2009
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I just recalled another advantage of our popup over our hardside: It did not need to be winterized. Whenever we returned from a trip, we drained all the water from the fresh-water tank. That was it. There was no black tank. The "gray tank" was a five-gallon bucket that sat on the ground and got emptied before we left our campspot.
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jefe 4x4
West Slope, Northern Sierra Nevada
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Joined: 01/21/2004
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Jack, nice ladder, but you need to cut the folding bar off. It's a bit lighter that way.
jefe
![[image]](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z240/jefe4x4/DSCN0807_zpsz135gcom.jpg)
'01.5 Dodge 2500 4x4, CTD, Qcab, SB, NV5600, 241HD, 4.10's, Dana 70/TruTrac; Dana 80/ TruTrac, Spintec hub conversion, H.D. susp, 315/75R16's on 7.5" and 10" wide steel wheels, Vulcan big line, Warn M15K winch '98 Lance Lite 165s, 8' 6" X-cab, 200w Solar
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WVbassmistress
WV
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Joined: 11/06/2012
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I had a pop up, now a HS.
We fish night tournaments some and the noise during the day when we were trying to sleep was a little bit of a factor in the soft side. Also, the light that I loved from the canvas sides were not a plus during those times.
Lisa, Bobby & Dorothy the Wonder Dog
2013 F250 crew cab/6/5 foot bed w/
Firestone airbags
2006 KZ Jag - 29 ft
Ranger Z518
22 ft Suntracker Pontoon
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ctilsie242
Austin
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Joined: 01/17/2017
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Was looking at a pop-up with a family member. Both of us bumped our heads on the door coming in. Not a show-stopper, but showed we are not used to them. My concern here in Texas is mold/mildew with the plastic.
I think I'm going to go for a HS if I go for a TC, mainly because for a good chunk of the year, the TC will be dropped onto a campsite for a renaissance faire, so the fewer things that can go wrong, the better.
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hedgehopper
Denver
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bcbouy wrote:the biggest difference for me? 360 degree view and you can open every window in a pop up.no need for a/c.you can order them with top cabinets if you want them,but they will partially block 2 of your 10 windows.as for wet fabric.???don't know what your apex was made from but my northstar shrugs off water no problem. The view is much dependent on the camper(s) involved. With our Phoenix popup, we could see very little when sitting at the dinette. With our Northern Lite HS, the view is much better. As far as not needing A/C, that would depend on where you camp. We used our A/C in the popup far more than the furnace. Wet fabric was never a problem.
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hedgehopper
Denver
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Quote:The Apex was dry (well, condensation is a bit of an issue and water started seeping through the sewing holes after a couple of days). DW waterproofed the stitching of our Phoenix popup shortly after we started using it,and we never had a problem with seepage. Condensation? Yes, that was a problem in cold and/or wet weather.
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JimBollman
Lost State of Franklin
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Joined: 08/31/2006
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DriverDan, I think you pretty much have the pro/cons figured out. You need to decide what tradeoffs you want to make. I have owned 3 popups and one hardside. Currently popup and will probably stay with popups. I like the lower height and don't need or want all the extras that usually comes with a hardside. I leave it on year around and even removed the jacks. I have close to the setup you have but my 2000 F250 is only 2wd. The 7.3l hardly knows it is back there.
The one extra to add to your list is if you don't have or want air conditioning the popup has much better ventilation for natural cooling. We have a Maxxair fan and seldom miss AC. I can run the Maxxair for a long time on battery, air conditioning requires AC, either a hookup or a generator. Lots of places I camp have no hookups and I hate listening to a generator.
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![[image]](http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jefe4x4/media/DSCN0807_zpsz135gcom.jpg.html)
