Fiberglass pop up

[Meghan]

Check out Vintage Camper Trailers Facebook page for fiberglass pop ups! So cool!


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Meghan]

They are called Rangers


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Mike Magee]

They are very attractive.

I wish someone would build a hardside popup similar to the Hi-Lo out of molded FG.

[Donna D.]

We've discussed the Ranger here before. NEATO! Gotta have the hot rod or street machine as the tow tho...

[Andrew Gibbens]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I wish someone would build a hardside popup similar to the Hi-Lo out of molded FG.

Here is an all-molded-fiberglass hardside popup made in Britain in the 1960s, with a video of it being erected:

portafold - YouTube

The portafold was fairly light, as this video demonstrates:

http://youtu.be/OGM3LlRp8B8

[David Tilston]

Apache also made a hard sided pop up.

[Mike Magee]

Yeah, but when I speak of a Hi-Lo type popup, I'm envisioning one piece molded FG top/sides that fit over another one-piece FG bottom/lower sides. No seams but for the belly seam, which would have a gasket to keep out the weather when set up. That would be a pretty neat rig.

[Bob Miller]

What with draft (side taper) requirements in a mold it could be difficult to make a pop-up FGRV in which the top half could telescope over the lower half.


FWIW: The Hi-Lo trailers are deceptively heavy, I mean really heavy.

[Jon in AZ]

In general, things with mechanical/moving parts are going to be heavier that things without moving parts on the same footprint. In addition, the top half of the Hi-Lo has to be oversized to fit over the bottom, and both halves likely need additional reinforcement to overcome the inherent floppiness of an open box. Added weight negates much of the aerodynamic advantage when towing. A friend had one for a number of years and liked it, but I thought it was kind of ugly.

The Apache hard-side pop-ups have a loyal cult following, but aren't the sides plastic rather than fiberglass? Therein lies the problem- don't think you can fabricate plastic in your garage. I'm guessing the one in Britain is also plastic.

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Apache also made a hard sided pop up.

I talked to the owner of one on Thanksgiving weekend. It turns out it was a 1979. You don't see to many tent trailers of that era. Sure speaks to being molded, whether fiberglass or plastic.

[Bob Miller]

Just like with our FGRV's it all depends on how well they are taken care of by the owners. Here's two examples, both have original interior and tent fabric intact. The Palomino tent looks "as new".


A 1983 Starcraft
1983 StarCraft 14 Foot Photos by advocateone | Photobucket


and a 1988 Palomino:
1988 Palomino Pop-Up Trailer Photos by advocateone | Photobucket


But yes, I did look at a lot of abused and neglected units before buying these for $400 & $350 respectively.

[john madill]

Here's a picture of my Kennedy-era 1962 Trade Winds camper. Sold it a couple of summers ago to get something a little newer.

Now I have my Nixon-era Compact Jr.

The Trade Winds was very nice, drew a lot of praise in the campgrounds.

But I wanted something a little more comfortable.


Vintage campers like this have no lift system and are very light.


I used it for a few years and sold it for more than I paid, another plus for vintage campers.


The newest camper I ever had was from the Reagan-era!

[Philsie]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

We've discussed the Ranger here before. NEATO! Gotta have the hot rod or street machine as the tow tho...

Maybe I should put a trailer hitch on my '74 Corvette. Then I would have an FGTV as well

[Meghan]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

In general, things with mechanical/moving parts are going to be heavier that things without moving parts on the same footprint. In addition, the top half of the Hi-Lo has to be oversized to fit over the bottom, and both halves likely need additional reinforcement to overcome the inherent floppiness of an open box. Added weight negates much of the aerodynamic advantage when towing. A friend had one for a number of years and liked it, but I thought it was kind of ugly.



The Apache hard-side pop-ups have a loyal cult following, but aren't the sides plastic rather than fiberglass? Therein lies the problem- don't think you can fabricate plastic in your garage. I'm guessing the one in Britain is also plastic.

A friend just bought an Apache. It's made of ABS Plastic. We both thought for a moment it was fiberglass also


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

In general, things with mechanical/moving parts are going to be heavier that things without moving parts on the same footprint. In addition, the top half of the Hi-Lo has to be oversized to fit over the bottom, and both halves likely need additional reinforcement to overcome the inherent floppiness of an open box. Added weight negates much of the aerodynamic advantage when towing. A friend had one for a number of years and liked it, but I thought it was kind of ugly.

The Apache hard-side pop-ups have a loyal cult following, but aren't the sides plastic rather than fiberglass? Therein lies the problem- don't think you can fabricate plastic in your garage. I'm guessing the one in Britain is also plastic.

If nothing else, the HI-LO type of campers define the term HEAVY. I think that the frame is built from structural steel to be able to raise the upper half. LOL

I just happen to have learned about an Apache that might be for sale in the Chelan area. If so, and it's a good deal, I will add it to my fleet. If it's not a good deal I will post the info LOL

[mary and bob]

We still have our '73 Starcraft pop-up that sleeps 8, two wings & two tables. Bought it in '78, keep it inside, replaced the canvas several years ago. Sleeps 8 probably means 8 preteen kids

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

...I just happen to have learned about an Apache that might be for sale in the Chelan area. If so, and it's a good deal, I will add it to my fleet. If it's not a good deal I will post the info LOL

Just curious, Bob… I did a bit of reading about these on another forum. It seemed like the biggest issue was repair or replacement of ABS side wall parts. Wouldn't they have a tendency to become brittle with UV exposure? What's your take on that?

[Bob Miller]

There is a good site for Apache owners. Best bet is to hope you find one that spent most of it's life closed up.


The 1988 Palomino I referbed for my son had perfect fabric, almost like new after almost 25 years, and I bought it from the family that bought it new.


All I can do is look and see.

[Meghan]

My friend has commented to me that there is someone locally who owns a warehouse of the Apaches and sells parts. There is a way to fix the ABS if it cracks and if all else fails she said the panels are easily replaced. That is in upstate NY. He happened to camp at the campgrounds we go to often. There is a meet coming up soon downstate that we might just attend with them because I love the vintage campers


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Bob Miller]

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind if this turns onto anything.