Campers? Pop Ups? Worth it?

[anthonygobot]

So I have the plain ol' 2009 Vibe 1.8 4 cylinder (automatic) and I would like to get some kind of pop up/camper. First off, I did search the site and I didnt want to revive an old post. Second, is it even worth trying to pull a small camper? I usually stay in Kentucky or Tennessee and let me tell ya we are far from flat land around here. Eventually I know ill want to travel to other states. I like the Lil Guy Camper I saw pics of but again, is it worth tearing my engine up or wasting gas, etc. Thanks guys!

[Zig]

anthonygobot,We pulled our Little Guy from Indiana to Alaska and back last summer. My wife still drives her Vibe with no ill effects. We went thru lots of real mountains. the Canadian Rockies. We did not tear up the engine 1.8L or waste a lot of gas. We averaged 26mpg! If we drove our truck camper we would have used a LOT more gas! Is having a camper something you would like..., that is your decision. Zig

[beemerphile1]

In my signature you can see my car and Aliner hard-sided pop-up. I purchased them both in the fall of 2009 and have pulled the trailer about 2,300 miles this spring. Just pulled 300 miles over Memorial day weekend.My trailer manufacturer claims that it weighs 1,140 pounds dry. ALL TRAILER MANUFACTURERS LIE! Real weight is around 1,600 pounds and about 2,000 pounds loaded. Real scale weights, not guessing.It tows great and here is a trip report from in March; http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=40742

[anthonygobot]

Nice! I have been reading both of your guys older posts on hauling. I know I want one but weight seems to be the biggest issue mainly because I will have my bikes as well. I like both style of campers but I mainly want one like Beemerphile1 has. Where did you get yours?

[Eloi]

Quote, originally posted by beemerphile1 »In my signature you can see my car and Aliner hard-sided pop-up. I purchased them both in the fall of 2009 and have pulled the trailer about 2,300 miles this spring. Just pulled 300 miles over Memorial day weekend.My trailer manufacturer claims that it weighs 1,140 pounds dry. ALL TRAILER MANUFACTURERS LIE! Real weight is around 1,600 pounds and about 2,000 pounds loaded. Real scale weights, not guessing.It tows great and here is a trip report from in March; http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=40742I have a 2009 Vibe, but with the 2.4L and manual transmission. Last year, I've hauled my Flagstaff pop-up (which is supposed to be 1,200 lb dry, but must be more, as you say) from Quebec City, QC to Cape May, NJ driving in the Adirondacks, which has a couple long hills and it hauled great. My mileage was also around 20-21 MPG and we were 2 adults and 2 teens in the car.We're going to the very same place at the end of June...So, the Vibe is definitely a nice car to haul a small pop-up. I picked the bigger engine to have extra power for hauling, but it seems that the 1.8 L is just fine too, as beemerphile1 proved it.

[Esteban]

NOTE; There are a lot of " pop-up campers " on the market. BUT, watch the weight of these. Some can be quite heavy. TOO heavy for the Vibe.Good luck.