Sorry that I am probably asking questions already covered, but I can't get the search function to work correctly.
I am interested in getting the 10 foot version (wife two girls 3 and 7 and a chocolate lab).
Anyhow, how long do these things take to put up? My Coleman takes 30 minutes alone, and 15 when the wife and daughters help.
Do you have enough head room to be comfortable (I am 6'1")?
How well do they handle wind when they are set up?
Is the half door as big a pain in the butt as it looks?
Are the "tent poles" attached to the tenting already or do you take them on and off?
How does the internal storage compare with a conventional pop up?
When it rains on the pup and it is down, what keeps water or snow from pooling on the cover?
What do you do with the cover thing?
How well does the awning work?
Is there any way to tow something on top of the camper? (Like a bike rack or a canoe rack)
One of the biggest complaints I have about my Pup is accessing stuff that is inside. With few exceptions you have to crank it up and then pull out a bunk end, at least, to get to any of the storage. With the Livin light can you pull out the bunk ends and then just kind of reach inside?
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer a few of these questions.
Why smaller? Well I really just want something newer and maybe a little easier to set up and take down by myself. I do not want to spend too much money, but I do want to simplify some stuff. I don't need a stove top, I prefer to cook outside. I do not need hot water. I do need AC, South Carolina coast March through mid October is pretty warm. I would also like to be able to boon dock for at least 5 days.
I will be towing with either a full sized pick-up or my wife's Toyota Sienna. I know this camper is a little smaller than what I have, but it is the largest that Livin Light makes, and they really interest me.
Sorry for assuming you had something bigger. The 10.0 quicksilver looks awsome and very roomy. I really like it as well. It says it has a 6'3" head clearance which gives you 2". That may be a little tight. Your full size pick-up is overkill for that trailer. The Sienna will more than do. I know alot of people have complained about the door (zip-up + zip-down) and have modified them to have solid pop-up style doors. Sorry I can't answer any more of your questions, I'm also curious for the answers. One thing I do remember is that they can be pricey, I've seen the 10.0 listed as much as 10K new. That's expensive considering there are 12 foot used PUPs w/slide in excellent condition for less than that. Did you check out the set-up video on their website? Good Luck.
* This post was
edited 07/03/08 11:57am by camsa5 *
"Anyhow, how long do these things take to put up? My Coleman takes 30 minutes alone, and 15 when the wife and daughters help. "
I can set it up by myself in about 10 minutes (though honestly I haven't timed it).
"Do you have enough head room to be comfortable (I am 6'1")? "
Yes the head room is fine - I'm 6'0" and haven't had any problem.
"How well do they handle wind when they are set up?"
No problem so far, but we've only camped in protected areas, though have been in some heavy thunderstorms.
"Is the half door as big a pain in the butt as it looks?"
Yes, it is one of the weakest points of the design. I bought a two piece door from Forest River and modified the upper portion to fit, and modified the tent to accept the door. It's a big improvement. (I took photos and wrote up a description that I can email I you send me a private message with your email address)
"Are the "tent poles" attached to the tenting already or do you take them on and off?"
They are always attached, but the tent can be removed if needed.
"How does the internal storage compare with a conventional pop up?"
Pretty much the same unless the pop-up has a front box. Storage under the seats, sink, and two cabinets.
"When it rains on the pup and it is down, what keeps water or snow from pooling on the cover?"
Nothing other than the angle of the trailer when it is being stored (i.e. nose down or up). Even then there is a pool that forms between the bunk supports. But over our three years it's remained water tight.
"What do you do with the cover thing?"
It rolls up and is Velcroed to the front of the trailer before you open up the bunks.
"How well does the awning work?"
As an awning, fine - one of the biggest problems that we've had with the tenting is the zippers where the pulls fail, I've had to replace the awning zippers (the door zipper had to be replaced too, but I went and replaced the whole door!).
"Is there any way to tow something on top of the camper? (Like a bike rack or a canoe rack)"
There is a rack that I think would work from this company. http://www.sixnall.com/. The only worry that I have about those is wearing through the cover.
"One of the biggest complaints I have about my Pup is accessing stuff that is inside. With few exceptions you have to crank it up and then pull out a bunk end, at least, to get to any of the storage. With the Livin light can you pull out the bunk ends and then just kind of reach inside?"
You can reach inside with the whole thing closed up and a couple of snaps of the cover undone near the door. This allows you to get emergency stuff (this is where I keep my jack and wrench when towing). With the bunks ends opened up you can get into quite a bit of it but are limited by the tenting and poles that can be either in the way or preventing you from getting to somewhere. However, once you have the bunks out and secured, it is only another minute to get the tent raised (pull up one end and snap a couple snaps, pull up the other end and snap a couple snaps, and you have full access - though a full setup requires snapping all of the tent snaps. Note - the bunks don't pull out, they are hinged to the trailer frame and the rotate open like a door, then are supported from beneath by the support bars.
I can't image that it takes a full 30 minutes to set up a popup! What are you including in that setup time? I can crank ours up in about 3 to 5 minutes, that is with stopping a couple of times cuz the 8-foot roof is heavy with the air conditioner being right on the back of the roof! I can pull out the bunkends, secure the tenting and put in the bed bows in another 5. Setting stabs and door take another 10 or less. I didn't include leveling cuz that is done beforehand and has to be done with any trailer. I am a female, and can to the setup in around 15 to 20 minutes by myself and that is taking my time. Oh, I deploy the awning when the top is cranked up about halfway and drop the legs, tighten the rafter poles, and finish cranking it up. That is included in the above setup time. I then lengthen the legs of the awning, done.
30 minutes is about right for setting everything up for me. That is from the time I start to back into my spot until my feet are proped up and I am drinking a wheat soda.
Leveling
Unhitching
Cranking up the top
Wresteling with the support brackets
Pulling out the bunk end and wresteling those stupid posts into position
Putting the tents up
Fighing to get the door in place
Lifting the cushions and table
Setting up my jerry rigged windoow unit AC and the plywood board that holds it inot place
Getting the potty sqquared away
Counter top
Water and eleectric hookups
Getting all my junk out from under the benches
Getting the stuff out of my tow vehicle
Setting up the awning and camping mat
Getting my outdoor kitchen set up
Getting the cooler out and some camp chairs
My kid's bikes
Etc...
All this takes me 30 or so minutes. Granted mine is an older camper and allot of the stuff does not work as well as it should.
Jmpeterson has covered everything I think...but here is my take on it:
1. Wind issue -- we had sustained 20 mph winds and frequent 30 mph gusts at the beach (the wind lasted two full days...unbelievable!) It was fine.
2. The Door -- since we are not handy and cannot do our own mods, we are perfectly happy with the zipper door. We are so thrilled to have a camper, this is not an issue for us.
3. The Awning -- we did not purchase the awning, and I don't think we would use it much -- too windy for an awning (but, again... the camper does fine in heavy storms)
4. Inside storage in the benches and sink area is excellent. And you can open the door at a rest area and access "under" the dinette table if you need to.
5. Get the optional A/C!! Especially in the southeast.
We love our 8.0 (wanted the 10.0 but my little crossover SUV could not pull it).
They are not cheap, but they are well made and soooooooo easy to pull and set up.
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
I doubt you would save much time with another camper then if you are doing all that in 30 minutes! You aren't talking about camper setup time, you are talking about CAMP SITE setup time, big difference.
If you want quick & easy setup, look at Aliner or Chalet. Not as much floor space a the 10ft Livin Lite and not cheap but setup is under a minute (I have one).
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