My kids are getting the camping bug, what with the triplets now almost 3 and able to go places. They're thinking of a new pop up. Those things aren't cheap. I bought a new Coleman pop up in 1981 and spent $7000. Couldn't they find a really nice older Barth for that much? Dan(aka son-in-law, jet pilot, mechanic) wants a class c for sleeping all those humans.

From my experience, popups are a great way to elevate from tents to civilized camping and help decide if RV's are your cup of tea. I'd never recommend buying new however.....the depreciation scale is damn near a vertical line from the day you bring it home......

I've bought popups for the kids, and some folks seem really eager to unload them on Craigslist & local ads. Don't overlook trolling local campgrounds that have off-season storage - we found a 3-yr old unit, sitting in storage for 2 years, that the owner was happy to have taken off his hands for peanuts.....repacked the wheel bearings & new tires for peace of mind, a family scrub party and it was good-to-go.

If the kids enjoy RVing, they can graduate to bigger units later, sell the popup for $50 and still be ahead of the game.......

Just went tire kicking with the kids and they want something where all five of them can enjoy the thrill of going (vs arriving). They seem to like the idea of a class c, but I'm trying to convince them of buying a Barth with split beds and turning one of them into bunk beds and mom and dad can sleep in the fold out couch in the front, especially if they installed one of the new electric ones. Anybody know of a nice Barth Class C? Or a nice 28' Regal with twin beds?

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Originally posted by Jim and Tere:
They seem to like the idea of a class c, but I'm trying to convince them of buying a Barth with split beds and turning one of them into bunk beds and mom and dad can sleep in the fold out couch in the front. Anybody know of a nice Barth Class C? Or a nice 28' Regal with twin beds?

When the kids were young, we had a 19 ft C. A C is good because of the overcab bunk, although a gaucho bed will work, too. I fit two kids above the cab, laid a porta crib over the doghouse for the littlest, and wife and I used the dinette/bed.

I like your idea of bunks in a twin bed coach. We are not big fans of twin beds, but this would seem to be an ideal application.

Hi Jim and Tere - I have an 85 Regal 31' with the twin back room. I've been living in it while building a house, but I'm ready to move in. Today it's at the shop getting all the electrical checked and fixed. I was planning to fix a few other things myself and it needs a couple of dents taken out. If someone wanted to buy it right now and finish fixing it up I'd be willing to sell it for $12,000. I really need to pay off Home Depot. If you wnat to talk off board I'm at rusti99@gmail.com

As much as we now love our Barth, we equally loved our first pop-up, a tandem axle, giant Jayco.

Popups are great with kids, due to the massive interior space and the ability to carry loads on the top, like bikes. Some of our best memories are with all six of us stuck inside during foul weather. It was like a Walton's episode.

Popups are a cinch to store, easy to tow and need little maintenance. Once set up, you've got the family truckster to use to get around. Setting them up is always a family affair.

I completely agree to get a late model used one! Also, consider the new Hybrids that are small trailers with pop out beds.

Corey