Pop-up vs hard side TC

[Guest]

So, what's y'all's opinion on which works better and why?<br /><br /><br />What about a hard side pop-up (the Alaskan, since it's the only one being produced).<br /><br />My opinion currently on them is based only on what I know from camping in my teen years in trailers, popup and hardside based, but I know truck campers come with their own caveats.<br /><br />I also spent some time in the military using a hardside, and the Alaskan style. It's not a normal experience though. Montana winters, totally off grid with a demanding job. The camper was there more as a safety net then an actual place to sleep.

 

[Seraphim]

Up to you. &nbsp;We chose a hard side for convenience: we have more room in the sleeping area, and the wet bath is more enclosed and private than what you would find in a pop-up. We probably have the tallest hard side made, and that might place a rare restriction on where we wish to go. &nbsp;A pop up will get better mileage on the highway, and maysneak into a more confined area than ours will, without damage to the top.<br /><br />Since there's two of us, we opted for the more spacious interior.<br /><br />The Alaskan exposes the interior of the camper to the outdoors during conversion, it appears. &nbsp;There's a video somewhere that shows it being put up and down. &nbsp;Might be a PIA in stormy and windy weather.<br /><br /><br />

 

[SoulRaven]

I have been in the woods most of my life exploring, camping, hunting , fishing... I have never seen a pop-up crushed in by those wayward branches, but I have seen many a hard side crushed in... So my vote goes to pop-up...

 

[Seraphim]

Haven't crushed the top in yet. &nbsp;Did take out a vent cover *grin*<br /><br />

 

[Kisatchieman]

For use on good level&nbsp; roads I'd vote for the hardside because it's ready to use with no popping up to do. For back country roads and trails where the potential for a rollover exists, I'd vote for the popup because of the lower profile (not quite so top heavy). I've owned both types of TC and if I had to choose one or the other, I'd go with the hardside. Really learned to hate those fabric walls on the popup.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[Johnnomads]

<span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde;">I chose the hardside, since i would be living in the TT full-time, 4 seasons. Here's a pic of the trailer:<br /></span>

 

[Johnnomads]

How about this deluxe Aliner?<br /><br />Armadillo wrote:<br />What about a hard side pop-up (the Alaskan, since it's the only one being produced).<br /><br />

 

[SoulRaven]

Talk about a perfect lil cabin for a wooded spot by a lake on some mountain...<br /><br />

How about this deluxe Aliner?<br /><br />Armadillo wrote:<br />What about a hard side pop-up (the Alaskan, since it's the only one being produced).<br /><br />

 

[Guest]

<p>

How about this deluxe Aliner?<br /><br />Armadillo wrote:<br />What about a hard side pop-up (the Alaskan, since it's the only one being produced).<br /><br />

<br /><br />A-liners are pretty cool. Chalet RV makes one with a secondary pop-up section in the front for addtional standing room. That's honestly the biggest drawback to 'em though. You have slightly less standing room then the box is big, inside. The skylights are also uninsulated, so you have two big open heat transfer ports on either end of the camper, where you are sleeping.&nbsp;</p><p>While that one is a towable, I believe A-liner made one that fit in a truck bed, sideways, and folded down to about halfway up the rear window.<br /><br />I would like to point out that in my research, Alaskan has come up to be very expensive, averaging in the mid 20k for one brand new. However, they build it to your exact specifications. So a ten foot, non cabover, with all the little things that would make it great for living in, is very much possible.<br /><br />Used market is much like Four wheel campers, gotta be ready to pounce when you see one, and you gotta get there first.</p>

 

[Seraphim]

<span id="post_message_1274707872">How about this deluxe Aliner?<br /></span>

<br /><br />We were discussing TCs (truck campers), which is what he meant by the Alaskan being the only one (TC).

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I'm seriously thinking of building an Aliner style slide in camper for my truck. Would be great for the backwoods and fuel economy. Would have the peak running front to rear and 10' long. With an inner layer of vinyl sailcloth it would be water/windproof too. Light foam laminate construction and, assuming that each side-leaf would be around 6'8"-6'10", INCREDIBLE headroom. Now, to get off my lazy white butt and build it..&nbsp; ..Willy.

 

[Guest]

&nbsp;I'm seriously thinking of building an Aliner style slide in camper for my truck. Would be great for the backwoods and fuel economy. Would have the peak running front to rear and 10' long. With an inner layer of vinyl sailcloth it would be water/windproof too. Light foam laminate construction and, assuming that each side-leaf would be around 6'8"-6'10", INCREDIBLE headroom. Now, to get off my lazy white butt and build it..&nbsp; ..Willy.

<br /><br /><img src="http://www.uniqueautogear.com/unique_rvs/image_gd/imagelarege_IGD.php?75324217_1thumb_550x410.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />Found it!&nbsp;<br /><br />Supposedly weighs around 500 pounds.<br /><br />Even has a site with a decent amount of info<br /><br /><a href="http://www.koransky.com/aliner/">http://www.koransky.com/aliner/<br /></a>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Buddy didn't seem too happy with it. That's why I'd build one instead of buying.. and cheapr too. Sure looks nice 'n roomy though, and the tall A-frame would be great in winter for shedding snow, keeping solar panels clean, and getting a better angle on the winter sun. ..Willy.

 

[Guest]

&nbsp;Buddy didn't seem too happy with it. That's why I'd build one instead of buying.. and cheapr too. Sure looks nice 'n roomy though, and the tall A-frame would be great in winter for shedding snow, keeping solar panels clean, and getting a better angle on the winter sun. ..Willy.

<br /><br />Yeah, but the only people I've heard complaints about are the ones who bought shells.<br /><br />Then again, with that review, I've seen a total of three. So you're results may vary.

 

[don89048]

The Aliner site doesn't refer to the truck camper any more.&nbsp; I'm assuming it has been abandoned.&nbsp; Does anyone know differently?

 

[akrvbob]

For a Montana winter I would go with a hardside. You can keep a hard side warm much easier than you can a pop up. The fabric in a pop up is going to rot eventually. Bob

 

[Guest]

For a Montana winter I would go with a hardside. You can keep a hard side warm much easier than you can a pop up. The fabric in a pop up is going to rot eventually. Bob

<br /><br />My experience with truck campers was in Montana. I'm not there now, nor am I sure if I could ever go back. It's just a general "vs" thread.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />