Looks like Forest River is the only place for Pop Ups now

[Mike91]

I posted this on another forum but thought I'd copy it here as it's good info. Even though I really hated these Jayco pop ups, it's always good to have competition to keep prices low, features good, and quality up.

Just like other makers, Jayco will no longer be making pop ups. Read here. https://rv-pro.com/news/jayco-tempor...its-fold-downs

Looks like the only game in town will now be Forest River which makes Flagstaff/Rockwood Clones and Coachmen Clipper/Viking clone Pop Ups.

Of course there are the many tent trailers that are more tent than than trailer, but Pop Ups are now becoming very rare.

Notice Jayco's camping trailer page says "In Stock Only" https://www.jayco.com/products/campi...ns-and-prices/, so no new stock coming in.

Many forum posters predicted this saying that now that Thor bought Jayco, Pop Ups would soon be phased out as Thor doesn't like making Pop Ups. Seems to be a true statement since it wasn't long ago that Thor bought Jayco, and the Pop Up quality went way down right after the buy out, now this.

Looks like Thor already killed off Livin' Lite which was famous for their true tent trailer (not a pop up). Read here. https://rv-pro.com/news/sources-thor...anded-rvs-2018

[bubbles]

Best camper I have ever owned is a 1973 Jayco Cardinal pop-up. Camped all over on both coasts and high up in the Rockies without ever an issue. Looked and functioned like brand new after eight years when I had to sell it due to overseas assignment.

[Mike91]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Best camper I have ever owned is a 1973 Jayco Cardinal pop-up. Camped all over on both coasts and high up in the Rockies without ever an issue. Looked and functioned like brand new after eight years when I had to sell it due to overseas assignment.

I looked at a 12SC before I bought my Rockwood and even their smaller 10' box models. Very disappointing compared to what was offered around 2012 and 2013 with Jayco Pop Ups.

Those 2012 and 2013 Jayco Pop Up models were top of the line. Their bodies had an ABS front and rear cap and the lights looked to be LED. Very high end looking and they also had built in body handles to move the camper around.

In 2018 I looked at 2 10' box models and the 12SC. Very disappointing. Extra low seating, cheap curtains and interiors, with very cheap hanging pantry/wardrobes. Sinks and stoves were very low. Build quality was garbage. Both 10' box models had open holes in the bottom of the cabinets, straight to the outside. Bottom edges on the wall were open like they ran out of material or didn't properly align the wall.

Later that year I looked at another 12SC and had the dealer open it. No pull loops on the bed so took me and the salesman to pull the one bunk out. Interior was super super cheap looking with stove very low on the cabinet with a flip over sink. There were no bunk privacy curtain or anything.



After popping up the 12SC, the roof wouldn't go down. The salesman got on the roof and sat on it, while bouncing up and down to get it to close. I latched it for him. He said their pop up campers are garbage and he recommends against them. He only opened and shown it to me because I asked him to. That is the reason why, I believe, they're not making them. They killed quality, then sales.

Looked at Rockwood Pop Ups which were a few thousand cheaper, and much much higher end with so many more features. That's why I have a Rockwood 2716G. Thor ran Jayco's Pop Ups out of business.

[aceinspp]

Well not totally dead as they said temporarily stopped production. So they are leaving room to bring back possibly.

My very first Pop up was a Jayco an it was one fine trailer sure did enjoy and that is how my kids grew up camping. Later RJD

[JohnD10]

Out here in the hot temps of the southwestern desert...

I hardly ever see a popup camper on the road or in a campground.

I'm guessing that low sales resulting in a financial loss for the division is what is driving Thor's decision to not make popups anymore.

I just tried to look up Coleman popups, and it seems they are no longer making them, either!

Perhaps we are seeing the end of an era here!

[Mike91]

Coleman hasn't made pop ups for over 20 years. Dutchmen, a division of Thor, has been using the name under license to make travel trailers but not sure if they still are.

Fleetwood bought the license previously and made some really bad pop ups with roof defects. Fleetwood went out of business, then FTC bought the license to use the Coleman name but they went out of business shortly after. Somerset, a division of Aliner, bought the right to their camper designs but not a license to use their name, and Somerset was a flop currently only offering 2 models to very very limited dealers. They're next to impossible to buy or even see. So Coleman has been dead for many years.

The only Pop Ups (not tent trailer) makers were Palimino (Forest River bought then killed off), Coachmen Clipper/Viking (Forest River bought and currently selling), Rockwood/Flagstaff (Forest River bought decades ago and currently selling), and Jayco (which Thor just killed off and unlikely to ever bring back again due to their history).

Makers now sell little, coffin like travel trailers with beds long enough for large children/short adults, and ceiling heights for the same. I personally would rather be in a smaller Pop Up that's more open.

The smallest trailer I'd feel comfortable in was my 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 19BH and it's closed in, small double bed was trying, bringing on claustrophobia in all that slept there (same with my 26BH kid's corner double bunk). Reason was it's mostly boxed in bed which was boxed on all sides and top (with upper single bunk) and small opening at the corner.

I'd rather have a Pop Up than a small travel trailer for so many reasons.

[B and B]

Nothing like a Nimrod Pop Up a box with a Woods Tent, We have locally made Rainbow Pop Ups and also Emperor Pop Ups with a top made of Nagahide.

[campbuzz98]

I think Aliner makes the old Coleman line, but only a few models. It is called Somerset. Aliner bought the old coleman factory awhile back.

[michigan_camper]

I really like pop ups, but it isn't hard to see why they are dying as a breed. They are priced about the same as a hardside now. Most of our newcomers to this site are buying used, not new.

[dnicoll]

So sad to see them gone(.?).
After our tenting days we ‘graduated’ to our first tent-trailer / pop-up. A locally built 8’ box with nothing in it but two bunks and a table with two benches. The Leisurecraft had, I think, 8” tires. After several years in that we bought a Jayco with lots of bells & whistles. Still an 8’ box, but good enough for DW and two younger boys. We purchased our Coleman Cheyenne new in 2001 and kept that for four years. That was the best trailer (pop-up). Kind of miss it!! 10 foot box, front storage and “loaded”!, Now, three fifth wheels later.........

[Mike91]

Originally Posted by michigan_camper

They are priced about the same as a hardside now.

I used to think the same, but really they aren't. My 2716G w/AC was about $13,500. It's a top of the line premier with jack knife sofa, Wifi repeater, LED awning lights, roof lift system, aluminum wheels, roof luggage rack, dual propane tanks, outside refrigerator, fiberglass walls, stereo with outside speaker, Solar panel wiring and hookup and many other upgrades.

A cheap stick and tin built travel trailer can be had for about the same, but it will be stripped, with none of those features, extremely small with small bed area, and no extra seating other than the dinette. To find a comparable fiberglass sided trailer was about $7K more and it was still fairly small.

My older 2012 Jayco 26BH was $14,500 7 years ago when I purchased. It's MSRP was $20,102. The new 2019 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH which no longer offers in floor heating, has a lower cargo weight rating from a lighter duty frame and rating of 1000# less, doesn't offer a cabinet ward for the rear bunks, has a MSRP now of $26,947. That's about $7K more. That 26BH was the only travel trailer w/o a slide that offers as much sleeping and seating area as my 2716G pop up but it doesn't have some of the features that I have.

The pop up is limited on appliances obviously due to it's size and design but is a higher end camper than that Jayco Jay Flight 26BH. The 2019 Rockwood 2716G has a MSRP of $18,470 w/air conditioner. A more reasonable comparison is a fiberglass travel trailer with similar options might be a Rockwood mini lite 2306 , which has a MSRP of over $28K.

[Paulie1138]

We went from tent to the Starcraft Nova in my signature for many years. Once I got the axle troubles behind me, it was a great camper with a lot of memories. Dragged it over most of the USA with 3 kids and a dog or 2.

Kids grew up, Graduated to the 5’r. Kids are jealous....LOL!

Sad to see those go as they were economical for families on a budget, or those just wanting something minimal, and off the ground with some amenities-and easy to get into the smaller spaces!

[emjayuu]

I loved my Jayco pop up. Made many of memories with the family. Even on those pouring rain mornings when packing up!

[burmik]

I have to admit that I miss my old Flagstaff pop-up. Camping was simpler then and we weren't in debt.

[TheWolfPaq82]

We still own our 1987 Jayco 1002, granted she needs some TLC, but my youngest son is going to start working on it this spring to bring her back to her old glory.

[Underthedog]

Somerset pop ups looks to be operational on the Aliner page. Low volume, they're a re-incarnation of Coleman brand.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Mike91

I used to think the same, but really they aren't. My 2716G w/AC was about $13,500. It's a top of the line premier with jack knife sofa, Wifi repeater, LED awning lights, roof lift system, aluminum wheels, roof luggage rack, dual propane tanks, outside refrigerator, fiberglass walls, stereo with outside speaker, Solar panel wiring and hookup and many other upgrades.

A cheap stick and tin built travel trailer can be had for about the same, but it will be stripped, with none of those features, extremely small with small bed area, and no extra seating other than the dinette. To find a comparable fiberglass sided trailer was about $7K more and it was still fairly small.

My older 2012 Jayco 26BH was $14,500 7 years ago when I purchased. It's MSRP was $20,102. The new 2019 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH which no longer offers in floor heating, has a lower cargo weight rating from a lighter duty frame and rating of 1000# less, doesn't offer a cabinet ward for the rear bunks, has a MSRP now of $26,947. That's about $7K more. That 26BH was the only travel trailer w/o a slide that offers as much sleeping and seating area as my 2716G pop up but it doesn't have some of the features that I have.

The pop up is limited on appliances obviously due to it's size and design but is a higher end camper than that Jayco Jay Flight 26BH. The 2019 Rockwood 2716G has a MSRP of $18,470 w/air conditioner. A more reasonable comparison is a fiberglass travel trailer with similar options might be a Rockwood mini lite 2306 , which has a MSRP of over $28K.

Where does Star Craft fit in to this. First Pop up I borrowed and that is how I got into buying my first Jayco camper. Later RJD

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Where does Star Craft fit in to this. First Pop up I borrowed and that is how I got into buying my first Jayco camper. Later RJD

Same with my folks. They would rent a StarCraft from a dealer close by every year. Later they bought a used Apache. No stove, no sink...basically a tent on wheels with cabinets.

[JimChow]

Our first 'RV' was a 2000 Coleman Utah pop up. Had it for 7 years. One great trailer. We had some really good times with that trailer. Easy to tow up to the west side of Michigan UP.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

Out here in the hot temps of the southwestern desert...

I hardly ever see a popup camper on the road or in a campground.

I'm guessing that low sales resulting in a financial loss for the division is what is driving Thor's decision to not make popups anymore.

I just tried to look up Coleman popups, and it seems they are no longer making them, either!

Perhaps we are seeing the end of an era here!

Do some RV parks discriminate by not allowing pop-up campers?