blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Jul 26, 2016 16:29:01 GMT
we've been tent camping for a few years, are ready to upgrade. in our area, decent popups with 2 queens or queen/king are running $2000-3000. but I'm noticing travel trailers can be had for around $3k as well, for a 24-27' that will sleep 6. we have 4 in our family, would be nice for space for 6 if the boys want to bring a friend each. most of the pop-ups would do 6 too, a little tight but do-able. for now we go on 200-400 mile trips, but I'd like to start going down south and other places. I don't "like" camping, but I hate paying a ton for hotels and we only go places with bathhouses, water and electric and we bring a lot of comforts with us (big air mattresses, full bedding, fans, electric blankets, electric griddle, huge cooler, etc). basically I try to make it as much like a hotel as possible.
our truck will pull either option fine. I like that the mpg will be better with a pop-up, we'd fit more easily in more sites, no bathroom but I don't mind using bath houses. I don't know where you put your luggage and supplies tho because they don't have much storage. we have a 3 room tent right now and all that stuff goes in the middle room. I'm also reading that the canvas will have condensation/dew that will drip on you, especially if using air/heat. we only camp in summer and moderate weather, air would be nice.
a travel trailer would be nice because we would have more storage/wardrobes, wouldn't have to pack everything every time because soaps and plates and such would just stay in there. more easily temp. controlled. have stoves inside which not all pop-ups do, and bigger fridges. private shower and bathroom and just more space all around. if we got one with bunks for the boys they wouldn't have to share a queen while they are getting bigger (they are 8 and 11 now). our mpg would suffer and we wouldn't be able to plan on easily fitting in any space at a campground, and the bigger spaces are 20-30% more expensive.
storage isn't a concern, they would be parked outside at a relative's place.
so, what do you have? what do you like/don't like?
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Post by Laurie on Jul 26, 2016 16:50:07 GMT
We had a pop up camper and switched to a travel trailer a few years ago. We love that the tt has more room and is more convenient. We live in South Dakota so the weather can change suddenly so if we have to be "inside" the tt is better. Easier to setup as well. We don't use the shower because we usually camp at campgrounds without water and sewage hookups. So the tank does not hold enough water for washing dishing and all of us taking showers. Plus dh said he will drain #1 but not #2's. LOL
Dh has recently mentioned going back to a popup but maybe getting one with a couple of slide outs to make it roomier. His reasoning for going back to a pop-up is because we now don't travel far with the travel trailer because it costs more in gas. The only way it is cheaper for a hotel than gas is if were to be gone for a week.
So I'm not much help but thought I would give you the pros and cons of each in case one thing is a deal breaker for you, kwim?
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Post by papersilly on Jul 26, 2016 16:54:55 GMT
we did tent camping before we moved on to a pop up trailer. we had it for a few years and it was really fun. it slept 6 comfortably but there was only ever 4 of us in it. it was comfortable and easy to cook and eat in. my only gripe was the set up. I'm sure the newer trailers are much better now about leveling and hookups but ours was kind of a pain. the take down was never a problem but the initial set up took a little longer. other than that, it was a sheer joy to use.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Jul 26, 2016 16:58:06 GMT
We had a pop up camper and switched to a travel trailer a few years ago. We love that the tt has more room and is more convenient. We live in South Dakota so the weather can change suddenly so if we have to be "inside" the tt is better. Easier to setup as well. We don't use the shower because we usually camp at campgrounds without water and sewage hookups. So the tank does not hold enough water for washing dishing and all of us taking showers. Plus dh said he will drain #1 but not #2's. LOL Dh has recently mentioned going back to a popup but maybe getting one with a couple of slide outs to make it roomier. His reasoning for going back to a pop-up is because we now don't travel far with the travel trailer because it costs more in gas. The only way it is cheaper for a hotel than gas is if were to be gone for a week. So I'm not much help but thought I would give you the pros and cons of each in case one thing is a deal breaker for you, kwim? lol @ draining number 2s. the main attraction of a bathroom would be not having to leave a tent in the middle of the night if nature called. for regular business we'd probably continue to use the bath houses.
you're right, the gas difference it would take to travel farther away is a factor. with a trailer it might end up meaning no savings over a hotel at all.
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Post by Lori McMud on Jul 26, 2016 16:58:48 GMT
We have done both. I personally like a travel trailer better. Less packing and unpacking. You have your own potty. If you are in a hat climate, you can have AC. We have an older 27 foot trailer that works for the 4 of us. Also, they are nicer in the rain.
When you are traveling, you still have easy access to your kitchen/food. Many times we stop and make a quick lunch from the fridge.
When we had our pop up, it always seemed like we were putting it down in the rain. And when you get home you have to pop it up to unpack and let it dry out. The plus is they fit in smaller spaces than a travel trailer. I liked how open and airy it was.
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Post by ~Sherri~ on Jul 26, 2016 17:23:01 GMT
We have had a popup and a travel trailer. Our popup was small, just 17.9 feet when fully opened. The beds were sturdy but the foam mattresses were not very thick or comfy. We used extra foam to make them softer. The kitchen table could be turned into a bed but it wouldn't be good for someone over 5 feet. Two kids could sleep there easily. Our sink was small but usable. The fridge didn't get things very cold but kept them better than a cooler. We never used the stove in the popup due to concerns about possible fire. Storage was okay. Under the seats was storage and some along the wall across from the sink. We used a lot of plastic bins and totes for storage. The worst thing was our awing. It was a huge pain in the butt to put up and wasn't very sturdy.
The canvas isn't to hard to take care of. Just be careful when you are closing the popup and don't catch any of the canvas. And if it is raining when you are packing up, make sure to open up the popup on the first dry day to let the canvas dry out.
We wanted to upgrade to a travel trailer a few years ago. We bought a new 30 foot Wildwood. We loved the layout and the colors. It had a queen bed and full bed/twin bed bunk in the back. The fridge was awesome and even had a freezer that froze things!! The stove and oven were nice and we loved the microwave and double sink. And the awning could be opened and closed with the push of a button!!! The bathroom was so nice! Not having to go the bathhouse in the middle of the night was awesome!! The TT had a fair amount of storage. And air conditioning was so nice!!!! DH loved the stereo system. He could listen to music outside and inside.
It was so nice to be able to set up or take down camp in the rain. Now worries about a wet canvas.
I was so paranoid about something going wrong or getting damaged. We did not use the shower due to worries about water getting behind the shower wall. Didn't use the stove or oven because of fear of fire and smoke/grease smells. Totally stupid, I know. We only used it 3 times in 2.5 years. We also had to pay for storage at an RV storage lot. DH was super worried about towing it and even more worried about backing it up.
We decided to sell it last year. A sweet young family got an almost new travel trailer, still had all the tags on furniture and appliances and the accessories we bought and new smell, for $10,000. We bought it new for $17,000.
If you decide on a popup, check the canvas and flooring very carefully. One with a slide out will give you extra floor and storage space. If you decide on a used travel trailer, look extremely close for water damage and mold issues. Water can sneak in and do some real damage. Another reason DH wanted to sell our TT. He constantly was checking it for any water coming in. He watched one to many Youtube videos on travel trailers after we got it.
Now after our all this, we are going tent camping later this week. LOL!!
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Jul 26, 2016 17:23:31 GMT
Certainly not. Common, but this did happen to one of my BFs. They were camping with a pop up. The grandkids were put to bed while the adults sat talking around the fire. Their dog (in the pop up) started barking frantically. Upon investigating, they found that someone had cut through the canvas. The dog scared them away.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Jul 26, 2016 17:27:39 GMT
We went from tent to pop up to travel, I would get another travel trailer, but not tent or pop up. It was so much easier, roomier, just better all around. I loved that I could pack it for the season and leave everything in there until we are done. We just had to bring out clothes and personal items for camping. It was also nice because as we grew it still had enough room.
We also had plenty of room for when we had the unexpected extra people.
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Post by *sprout* on Jul 26, 2016 17:40:49 GMT
We just bought a TT in April. So much easier than a pop up. As others said, more room, air, etc. Plus, with a pop up, there's a chance of packing in the wings in the rain. I've done that a couple times growing up - no fun! If your vehicle can tow either and the prices are similar, I'd get the TT!
On a side note, living in the same-ish area as you, I'm impressed you're finding TT for 3k!!
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,875
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jul 26, 2016 18:00:43 GMT
We were aso tent campers and lived out of tubs for the weekend.
I thought I wanted a pop up camper. That's what I really wanted.
We ended up with an opportunity to buy a motor home. It's a 32' that sleeps 7.
I really love it!!! Some friends got a 5th wheel the same year. I think it's too big and cumbersome. But amazingly spacious and plush when set up and extended.
Many people love a travel trailer be use they are easier.
I do love our RV/motor home the best.
Camping is WAY better with everything above a tent! ;-)
Now that we have an RV, I realize we would have outgrown a pop up really quickly.
Best wishes!
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,174
Location: Alabama
Jan 29, 2015 16:24:49 GMT
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Post by janeinbama on Jul 26, 2016 18:26:23 GMT
We camped in both pop up and pull behind trailer. It is so much quieter in a trailer, outside noise in pop up is like being in a tent. I was a pretty efficient packer and if were gone a week, we would keep our clothes in a large Rubbermaid container outside under one of the beds. I would say most of pop ups have stoves and ours could be attached outside which is where we cooked most of the time. We only camped in parks which had nice bathhouses and only used the potty for #1, very rarely took showers in it either.
For us gas mileage dropped in half.
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Post by Leone on Jul 26, 2016 18:32:11 GMT
We had two popups. Both had slideouts and king beds on both ends. We could store it within our hoa rules while a travel trailer wasnt allowed. We bought the second one because someone T-boned the first destoying it. We had a lot of fun BUT the amount of work putting it up and down was very time consuming and hard work. We learned we would never go on trips where we didnt stay at least two nights in one place because of the effort it took. So..if you dont have to pay to store a travel trailer, Id vote for that. Also, weather is a big consideration as you are outside most of the time in a popup. But be sure your vehicle is actually big enough to pull it. We didnt want to get a big truck so that was one of the reasons we stuck with a popup.
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Post by kellybelly77 on Jul 26, 2016 18:35:21 GMT
I'm also impressed that you can find a travel trailer for $3k. We looked at several this summer and all were between $8k and $12k for used. Brand new the one we liked was $24k. I refuse to camp in a tent. The only way dh is getting me out there is in a trailer. So he started looking at them. .
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Post by Leone on Jul 26, 2016 18:36:47 GMT
As someone mentioned earlier, the awning on a popup is horrible to deal with.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jul 26, 2016 18:39:09 GMT
We went from tent to pop up to travel, I would get another travel trailer, but not tent or pop up. It was so much easier, roomier, just better all around. I loved that I could pack it for the season and leave everything in there until we are done. We just had to bring out clothes and personal items for camping. It was also nice because as we grew it still had enough room. We also had plenty of room for when we had the unexpected extra people. This is exactly my thought just by watching others set up at events. We have an RV because that is what I'm used to, but I've watched others with TTs and popups. Now the popups were usually older, not the newer ones, so I'm not sure what the difference it in work/set up. But I love the RV for the same reason I would pick a travel trailer, you stock at home and leave it stocked for the season. Not much in and out between trips
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sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,592
Jun 27, 2014 14:04:01 GMT
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 26, 2016 18:50:46 GMT
We have a pop-up. Not sure of the size but there are 2 beds on the ends that slideout and the table converts into a bed. It's just right for our family.
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Post by angieh1996 on Jul 26, 2016 19:56:09 GMT
We've had both. Started with a pop up and graduated to a TT. I love the TT. We camp quite a bit and the sheer fact that I have my own bathroom and don't have to trek to the bath house in the middle of the night was what sold me. I also love having the full kitchen when traveling. We recently took a week trip to TN and just pulled into the rest stops to make lunch.
We also stock it for the season and that's it. Other than adding a few things and our clothes, it's ready to go anytime we want to camp. It also serves as extra beds when we have family visiting. They love that they have their own space. I stock the fridge for them and set the coffee pot out if they want to use that.
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Post by tamaraann on Jul 26, 2016 20:19:20 GMT
We had a pop up when our girls were little and we loved it for what it was. However, not having a bathroom is huge for me. We also live in the PNW, and putting it away wet to drive home seemed to happen more often than not, which required us to put it up once we got home to dry it out it prevent mildew. I also did not like that we would have to go thru the effort of putting it up at home before a trip to pack in it what we could, and then have to put it down again to drive off. Our next trailer will be a travel trailer for those reasons.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Jul 26, 2016 21:40:21 GMT
We just bought a TT in April. So much easier than a pop up. As others said, more room, air, etc. Plus, with a pop up, there's a chance of packing in the wings in the rain. I've done that a couple times growing up - no fun! If your vehicle can tow either and the prices are similar, I'd get the TT! On a side note, living in the same-ish area as you, I'm impressed you're finding TT for 3k!! don't get me wrong, they aren't common and i'm looking up to 6+ hours drive away. but it can be done! usually they are older and more out of date than the popups, but we're very handy and crafty. I can make it look good, as long as the essentials are there and in good repair.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jul 26, 2016 21:48:13 GMT
We haven't had a travel trailer, but we have had a pop up in the past and we currently have a small RV.
I'd pick travel trailer. We Camp with friends and family that have travel trailers, and they are great. We also love our RV, and I would not go back to a pop up. It's not that pop ups are bad, but they often do get wet and you have to unpack and pack all the time. Also, I wouldn't want to go back to not having my own bathroom. Not having to leave in the middle of the night is awesome.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Jul 26, 2016 21:49:38 GMT
.. We had a lot of fun BUT the amount of work putting it up and down was very time consuming and hard work. We learned we would never go on trips where we didnt stay at least two nights in one place because of the effort it took. So..if you dont have to pay to store a travel trailer, Id vote for that. Also, weather is a big consideration as you are outside most of the time in a popup. But be sure your vehicle is actually big enough to pull it. We didnt want to get a big truck so that was one of the reasons we stuck with a popup. interesting, I can't see how they would be more work than setting up our tent (which is very large, 3 rooms and each fit a queen with extra space) and then arranging everything around the campsite, so I don't know if that would be a defining factor for us.
you're right about making sure about the truck, a lot of people just think "truck" and that it can haul anything. I found a website with the calculations using your truck's gvw, axle ratio, towing and tongue weight capacity and we should be well under our limits with anything 24-27' or smaller with a "wet and loaded" weight of under 8000 lbs (that still leaves a lot of wiggle room from the limit Ford recommends). the trailers I've looked up so far range from 4300-5300 "dry".
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on Jul 26, 2016 22:20:20 GMT
We've only had Class C motorhomes, a 24 foot one and now a 23.5 one, but I vote for the travel trailer. .Have you also looked at any of the small Class C's? They are as easy to drive as any other vehicle, I could never manage the width of a Class A - it's just too wide in the cab for me to deal with.
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Post by *sprout* on Jul 26, 2016 23:25:58 GMT
We just bought a TT in April. So much easier than a pop up. As others said, more room, air, etc. Plus, with a pop up, there's a chance of packing in the wings in the rain. I've done that a couple times growing up - no fun! If your vehicle can tow either and the prices are similar, I'd get the TT! On a side note, living in the same-ish area as you, I'm impressed you're finding TT for 3k!! don't get me wrong, they aren't common and i'm looking up to 6+ hours drive away. but it can be done! usually they are older and more out of date than the popups, but we're very handy and crafty. I can make it look good, as long as the essentials are there and in good repair.
Even with our new-to-us TT that's only 8 years old, we're going to paint the interior after our next big trip and I've already bought new fabric for it. Lol
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Jul 26, 2016 23:50:09 GMT
We had a really small tent trailer before we bought our travel trailer. The nice thing about the tent trailer is that we could pull it with our Thunderbird. but there isn't a lot of storage in them and you still have to set up the tent part when you get parked. And if it rains and you fold down the tent trailer everything on the beds and floor get wet from the wet canvas folding into the trailer onto the beds.
Travel trailers have a place for everything to be stored. All you have to do is park it level it (most leveler jacks are electronic now) plug in the electric and water and sewer and you are set. beds are made and food and everything is already in its place.
and when it rains you don't have to fold in the canvas to close the trailer.
Good luck decided.
I really liked our tent trailer. We bought it from my grandma. It was a tiny one.
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MissChris
Full Member
Posts: 370
Jul 14, 2014 0:46:04 GMT
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Post by MissChris on Jul 26, 2016 23:55:46 GMT
We had a small pop-up and eventually upgraded to a slightly larger travel trailer. The travel-trailer was definitely much more convenient. I kept it fully stocked with linens, kitchen stuff, clothes, games, etc. Whenever we went anywhere, all I needed to do was add the food and drinks. It was also nice if we ended up in bad weather--just park, go in the trailer, and enjoy the storm. With that said, the travel-trailer is just a bit longer than our pop-up, which prevented us from going to a lot of places we used to go. Some of the roads we used to travel on, and the size of the campsites, specifically stated not for trailers over a certain size, which our new trailer fell under. Regardless of that, I'd still pick a travel-trailer over a pop-up. Whatever you decide, enjoy!!
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jul 27, 2016 0:12:50 GMT
We've had both. Started with a pop up and graduated to a TT. I love the TT. We camp quite a bit and the sheer fact that I have my own bathroom and don't have to trek to the bath house in the middle of the night was what sold me. I also love having the full kitchen when traveling. We recently took a week trip to TN and just pulled into the rest stops to make lunch. We also stock it for the season and that's it. Other than adding a few things and our clothes, it's ready to go anytime we want to camp. It also serves as extra beds when we have family visiting. They love that they have their own space. I stock the fridge for them and set the coffee pot out if they want to use that. I'm so glad we aren't the only family that uses the RV/TT as a guest house for short stays!! We love staying the night at my mom's house for Christmas and one of the reasons we can do that is because of their RV. They used to have two RV's and both would be full at Christmas, but they sold the Minnie Winnie to my sister/bil
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Jul 27, 2016 1:04:57 GMT
We've only had Class C motorhomes, a 24 foot one and now a 23.5 one, but I vote for the travel trailer. .Have you also looked at any of the small Class C's? They are as easy to drive as any other vehicle, I could never manage the width of a Class A - it's just too wide in the cab for me to deal with. no, because we don't want to tow a car a long or have to pack up camp to drive the motorhome somewhere.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Jul 27, 2016 1:07:35 GMT
don't get me wrong, they aren't common and i'm looking up to 6+ hours drive away. but it can be done! usually they are older and more out of date than the popups, but we're very handy and crafty. I can make it look good, as long as the essentials are there and in good repair.
Even with our new-to-us TT that's only 8 years old, we're going to paint the interior after our next big trip and I've already bought new fabric for it. Lol I don't blame you! even the 5 yr old ones still have the styling from the 90s it seems! I don't know why camper designers seem to LOVE those color block/color swashes fabrics and wallpapers lol.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Jul 27, 2016 1:10:09 GMT
thanks everyone for all your input, it was very helpful! talked with Dh today about the things that were mentioned, and about what his camper goals were, and we both are leaning towards trailer. except that I got on pinterest and those pop up makeovers are soooo beautiful and fun and I wanna do one! but I can (and likely will have to, at our price point) redo a trailer as well.
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Post by *sprout* on Jul 27, 2016 1:34:40 GMT
Even with our new-to-us TT that's only 8 years old, we're going to paint the interior after our next big trip and I've already bought new fabric for it. Lol I don't blame you! even the 5 yr old ones still have the styling from the 90s it seems! I don't know why camper designers seem to LOVE those color block/color swashes fabrics and wallpapers lol. The color combinations are so ugly! Ours is black, gray, and tan with the most gaudy flowers I've seen.
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