We bought a pop up that was a complete rebuild. We can't afford vacation spots like hotels and with only having one income, we went with a $200 rebuild that was damaged. It is a large pop up with a large storage area in the front of the trailer under the main bunk. It normally is used for outdoor storage but we opened it up so we had access to it from the inside. I found a small metal frame dresser that has fabric pull out drawers. We use that for our clothing and it works GREAT!! I take the fabric drawers out, pack our clothing, and then simply slide them in while packing. We took out the sink and stove and went for cube storage instead. We built a cube frame that is on hinges so it sits in the middle of the camper when down and we hinge it up when we set up. We have a small microwave that fits perfectly by the bins and all of our dry goods, snacks, and kitchen supplies fit into fabric bins that fit into the cubes. So I pack the fabric bins at home, pack them into the camper, we get to our location, raise the roof and place the bins into the wooden cube system. We also have a small open shelf area that has a small toiletries bag with everyone's bathroom supplies. A laundry basket for shoes or shower caps for wet/muddy shoes by the door as well. Food situations is frozen Camp-ur-itos, frozen slopey joes, frozen pulled pork (for pie irons!!!) and a tall dorm style fridge that sits outside under the back bunk. My 4 cup Mr Coffee maker is perfect for everything from coffee, to hot water for hot chocolate or cup of soup.
I often camp in bear country, so I have to keep pretty much everything in my vehicle. Plastic bins are my go-to because I can see what's in them and they're stackable.
I really need to work on eliminating stuff that I don't need to our pop-up. I feel like I have way too much stuff that I won't need half the time. But I'm also the type of person that believes it's better to have and not need, than to need and not have. It's a struggle ;)
@@AdventuresinPopUps If I can get past the kid out of school.... a massive amount of work I just took on from a client .. and loading up the rig while my husband is on a business trip until 2 days before.. :D Thank god for grandparents around the corner! Where is your next trip to?
After many years of tent camping (20+) our starter is a 2003 Coleman Destiny Cottonwood. We probably put about $750 into fixing it up and making it our own. First trip, last weekend, was great. We took a lot of your tips for storage, and it really made things much easier. I created a "In Camper" list, and a "in Car" list, just so we know where everything is and where to pack it. Because we don't have a toilet we bought a pop up tent, and a portable (mainly just for #1), it really comes in handy for the grand kids, and in the middle of the night. Still working out a few minor things for our next trip in a few weeks but very happy so far. BTW... Full hook ups are awesome.
We bought our first trailer. A 1999 StarCraft spacestar and looking for tips as there’s no storage up! Thanks most videos are for RV full trailer campers
I'm new (getting my PUP this week) but you could take the lid off a plastic bin for underseat storage and just stash the lid *beneath* the bin so it's out of the way but easy to access when time to unload the trailer.
Lol I love the chickens! My kitchen things are in bins too and it's a life saver! I love the clothes in banana boxes idea! Lol I have 2 large dog crates on one bunk and I still have plenty of room to sleep in front of them (I'm short lol). I don't have any suggestions. We still have open storage space in ours that hasn't been used yet lol.
Hello! We just found your channel and have been binging all your videos. We are a family of four and just getting started with pop up camping, so lots to learn. We are also in central Illinois. We love camping at Carlyle Lake. Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Awesome! We haven’t tried that one yet! We just went to Lake Shelbyville last week and LOVED it! Lithia Springs has the best beach. We will be making a campground review soon.
@@AdventuresinPopUps Dam West is our favorite at Carlyle as it’s Corps of Engineers and very family friendly. We hope to check out Eldon Hazlet State Park soon. We’ll add Shelbyville to our list.
I almost forgot here’s our storage tip: sturdy over the sink shelves. We own a 2016 Jayco 1209SC. We bought a plastic light gray garage storage shelf from Home Depot. Cut the plastic legs with a hacksaw and made a three tiered shelf to fit over the sink. It’s a little difficult to explain, however to hold the legs in place, the shelf came with grooved plastic holders that screw right into the wood. Best part is that it easily collapses for storage.
I'd like to pass on my pop up camper air conditioner hack. First, there's a video on TH-cam on how to install a AC unit on the roof. It's very good. I want to focus on Rockwood ESP models. These models have solar systems and inside lighting in the roof and for the awning. This means, there's wiring in the ceiling, which means, there has to be wiring from the roof, down through a hidden tunnel in the canvas to the pop up bottom. If you want AC in your pop up ONLY buy a RecPro Houghton model, they are MUCH more quiet than the Coleman or Dometic models. Here is how I wired my AC unit. Use ONLY 10 or 12 gauge stranded wire to run your wiring from the AC unit to wherever your power connection is. In the ESP models, they come with "AC prep." From the mounted AC unit, run surface mounted wiring covering from the AC unit to the HIDDEN wiring tunnel in the canvas. This "tunnel" will be located, inside where the solar panel wiring enters the pop up from the roof. The roof lighting wiring comes to the same point. I ran my surface mount wiring cover, straight to a side wall, then a 90 degree turn, another run, 2 inches from the side, this way the curtains were not in the way, back to a point even with the hidden "tunnel", then another 90 degree turn towards the outside. this section was very short, less than two inches or so. You'll have to carefully cut away some of the plastic on the inside AC unit cover so that your surface mount wiring tube goes into the inside AC cover to provide a professional look. You want the wiring tube to go into the AC inside cover so the wiring is hidden. I screwed the surface mount tubing to the ceiling after laying it all out. The tubing had adhesive strips along the entire length, but the screws made sure the tubing would never come loose. Needless to say, you only need SHORT tapping screws to attach the tubing to the roof. Route the wiring from the AC, thru the surface mounted tubing, down thru the hidden wiring tunnel, into the electrical box. My Rockwood 2318ESP had a socket inside the central electrical box. I put a 20 amp plug on the three wires coming from the AC unit and plugged the AC unit in. My setup totally eliminates installing a plug in the side of the roof and using an extension cord from the roof plug to the electrical box. Which is a pain, because you can't push the male plug thru the AC prep outside cover, with your hand AND reach in to plug the male end into the socket, because the outside AC prep hole is to small. So, you have to push the plug ONLY thru the hole, then go inside the pop up, open the cabinet door for the electrical wiring, pull the plug thru and plug it in while on your hands and knees. Obviously, you have to unplug the AC unit and store the extension cord somewhere or you could unplug from the roof plug and stuff the entire extension cord by pushing it thru the AC prep hole until the entire cord is inside the electrical box, when you leave. Either way, it's a pain! My way the AC unit is always plugged in, there's no plugging and unplugging, no extension cord to handle and no rooftop side mounted socket to install. The AC wiring simple moves up and down right along with the solar and roof top light wiring already present. I wish I had taken pictures as I was figuring everything out. The concept is not difficult and execution is rather simple once you know about the hidden canvas tunnel hiding the solar and roof lighting wires. Any questions contact me at gmoney2767@gmail.com
Blake and Rachel: You guys are the best! Thank you so much for the wonderful storage ideas. My wife and I started camping three years ago right around the time you started posting videos and it was time for us to do more than spring cleaning but to be organized. Love your ideas to go vertical and to maximize storage without compromising comfort. And gracias for the links to the products that you use & endorse. I will be purchasing several, hopefully you will get a percentage as an affiliate. So cool to leave in your chickens in the background. Lol. By the way, I’m curious what kind of software do you use to insert the wording and pictures. It is so smooth and professional looking. Again many thanks! Jerry & Kate .
Wonderful. Thank you for sharing the iMovie source. I’m sure I can find many videos here on TH-cam. I’ve got an iPhone so I’m halfway there. Lol. I will post my hacking tip separately. Thanks again!
Hi. Nice video! Thanks for all the ideas. We live in Central Illinois. Have you ever stayed at Clinton Lake? We will be heading there later for the first time this month.
We have not tried Shelbyville although a friend who fishes there every spring keeps encouraging us to go. In Illinois we have enjoyed Jim Edgar Panther Creek and Shawnee. New Salem is also cool since you can walk the grounds in the village at night when the deer roam. Happy camping!
Keep up the good work. I swear you two look so familiar l. I'm in central Illinois, who knows we might bump into you sometime. I'm trying to get the nerve to put a floating vinyl wood floor down in my pop up.
My problem is my Jayco Jayflight 174BH has few places to nail anything. The inside walls could hurt the exterior shell. The inside walls are covered in a material that sticky things like command hooks fall off.
love the chickens and the tips
We bought a pop up that was a complete rebuild. We can't afford vacation spots like hotels and with only having one income, we went with a $200 rebuild that was damaged. It is a large pop up with a large storage area in the front of the trailer under the main bunk. It normally is used for outdoor storage but we opened it up so we had access to it from the inside. I found a small metal frame dresser that has fabric pull out drawers. We use that for our clothing and it works GREAT!! I take the fabric drawers out, pack our clothing, and then simply slide them in while packing. We took out the sink and stove and went for cube storage instead. We built a cube frame that is on hinges so it sits in the middle of the camper when down and we hinge it up when we set up. We have a small microwave that fits perfectly by the bins and all of our dry goods, snacks, and kitchen supplies fit into fabric bins that fit into the cubes. So I pack the fabric bins at home, pack them into the camper, we get to our location, raise the roof and place the bins into the wooden cube system. We also have a small open shelf area that has a small toiletries bag with everyone's bathroom supplies. A laundry basket for shoes or shower caps for wet/muddy shoes by the door as well.
Food situations is frozen Camp-ur-itos, frozen slopey joes, frozen pulled pork (for pie irons!!!) and a tall dorm style fridge that sits outside under the back bunk. My 4 cup Mr Coffee maker is perfect for everything from coffee, to hot water for hot chocolate or cup of soup.
Nice! Sounds like you’ve got your camping system down pat! 🙌🏼
I purchased my first pop up in Springfield. It was a 1969 Montgomery Wards Westernfeild Pop Up. Neat but basic camper.
Cool! Popups have come a long way since then.
I often camp in bear country, so I have to keep pretty much everything in my vehicle. Plastic bins are my go-to because I can see what's in them and they're stackable.
I really need to work on eliminating stuff that I don't need to our pop-up. I feel like I have way too much stuff that I won't need half the time. But I'm also the type of person that believes it's better to have and not need, than to need and not have. It's a struggle ;)
Yes, it’s a real struggle. 😄
The shoe holder IN the shallow awkward cabinet was VERY clever! Heading out soon for a 30 day trip and just looking for last minute inspiration!
Enjoy your big trip! 🤩 Yes, the organizer took our awkward cabinet to the next level for sure!!
@@AdventuresinPopUps If I can get past the kid out of school.... a massive amount of work I just took on from a client .. and loading up the rig while my husband is on a business trip until 2 days before.. :D
Thank god for grandparents around the corner!
Where is your next trip to?
@@thathomemademom we are getting ready to head out for a few days to a local lake with a beach. And friends. 🥰
My husband uses a box from the liquor store; sections to put in spices, oils, wine bottles, etc for cooking, of course 😉
After many years of tent camping (20+) our starter is a 2003 Coleman Destiny Cottonwood. We probably put about $750 into fixing it up and making it our own. First trip, last weekend, was great. We took a lot of your tips for storage, and it really made things much easier. I created a "In Camper" list, and a "in Car" list, just so we know where everything is and where to pack it. Because we don't have a toilet we bought a pop up tent, and a portable (mainly just for #1), it really comes in handy for the grand kids, and in the middle of the night. Still working out a few minor things for our next trip in a few weeks but very happy so far. BTW... Full hook ups are awesome.
Sounds great! So glad we can be helpful!
Great tips guys so glad you're doing videos again. How's your other homesteading channel
It’s coming along, thanks for asking! We were too bogged down with moving, work and school but are back now. 😎
We bought our first trailer. A 1999 StarCraft spacestar and looking for tips as there’s no storage up! Thanks most videos are for RV full trailer campers
I'm new (getting my PUP this week) but you could take the lid off a plastic bin for underseat storage and just stash the lid *beneath* the bin so it's out of the way but easy to access when time to unload the trailer.
Lol I love the chickens! My kitchen things are in bins too and it's a life saver! I love the clothes in banana boxes idea! Lol I have 2 large dog crates on one bunk and I still have plenty of room to sleep in front of them (I'm short lol). I don't have any suggestions. We still have open storage space in ours that hasn't been used yet lol.
Hello! We just found your channel and have been binging all your videos. We are a family of four and just getting started with pop up camping, so lots to learn. We are also in central Illinois. We love camping at Carlyle Lake. Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Awesome! We haven’t tried that one yet! We just went to Lake Shelbyville last week and LOVED it! Lithia Springs has the best beach. We will be making a campground review soon.
@@AdventuresinPopUps Dam West is our favorite at Carlyle as it’s Corps of Engineers and very family friendly. We hope to check out Eldon Hazlet State Park soon. We’ll add Shelbyville to our list.
another nice video
I almost forgot here’s our storage tip: sturdy over the sink shelves. We own a 2016 Jayco 1209SC. We bought a plastic light gray garage storage shelf from Home Depot. Cut the plastic legs with a hacksaw and made a three tiered shelf to fit over the sink. It’s a little difficult to explain, however to hold the legs in place, the shelf came with grooved plastic holders that screw right into the wood. Best part is that it easily collapses for storage.
Sounds awesome!
I’d love to see a picture of this, if possible, thank you!
I'd like to pass on my pop up camper air conditioner hack. First, there's a video on TH-cam on how to install a AC unit on the roof. It's very good. I want to focus on Rockwood ESP models. These models have solar systems and inside lighting in the roof and for the awning. This means, there's wiring in the ceiling, which means, there has to be wiring from the roof, down through a hidden tunnel in the canvas to the pop up bottom. If you want AC in your pop up ONLY buy a RecPro Houghton model, they are MUCH more quiet than the Coleman or Dometic models. Here is how I wired my AC unit. Use ONLY 10 or 12 gauge stranded wire to run your wiring from the AC unit to wherever your power connection is. In the ESP models, they come with "AC prep." From the mounted AC unit, run surface mounted wiring covering from the AC unit to the HIDDEN wiring tunnel in the canvas. This "tunnel" will be located, inside where the solar panel wiring enters the pop up from the roof. The roof lighting wiring comes to the same point. I ran my surface mount wiring cover, straight to a side wall, then a 90 degree turn, another run, 2 inches from the side, this way the curtains were not in the way, back to a point even with the hidden "tunnel", then another 90 degree turn towards the outside. this section was very short, less than two inches or so. You'll have to carefully cut away some of the plastic on the inside AC unit cover so that your surface mount wiring tube goes into the inside AC cover to provide a professional look. You want the wiring tube to go into the AC inside cover so the wiring is hidden. I screwed the surface mount tubing to the ceiling after laying it all out. The tubing had adhesive strips along the entire length, but the screws made sure the tubing would never come loose. Needless to say, you only need SHORT tapping screws to attach the tubing to the roof. Route the wiring from the AC, thru the surface mounted tubing, down thru the hidden wiring tunnel, into the electrical box. My Rockwood 2318ESP had a socket inside the central electrical box. I put a 20 amp plug on the three wires coming from the AC unit and plugged the AC unit in. My setup totally eliminates installing a plug in the side of the roof and using an extension cord from the roof plug to the electrical box. Which is a pain, because you can't push the male plug thru the AC prep outside cover, with your hand AND reach in to plug the male end into the socket, because the outside AC prep hole is to small. So, you have to push the plug ONLY thru the hole, then go inside the pop up, open the cabinet door for the electrical wiring, pull the plug thru and plug it in while on your hands and knees. Obviously, you have to unplug the AC unit and store the extension cord somewhere or you could unplug from the roof plug and stuff the entire extension cord by pushing it thru the AC prep hole until the entire cord is inside the electrical box, when you leave. Either way, it's a pain! My way the AC unit is always plugged in, there's no plugging and unplugging, no extension cord to handle and no rooftop side mounted socket to install. The AC wiring simple moves up and down right along with the solar and roof top light wiring already present. I wish I had taken pictures as I was figuring everything out. The concept is not difficult and execution is rather simple once you know about the hidden canvas tunnel hiding the solar and roof lighting wires. Any questions contact me at gmoney2767@gmail.com
Blake and Rachel: You guys are the best! Thank you so much for the wonderful storage ideas. My wife and I started camping three years ago right around the time you started posting videos and it was time for us to do more than spring cleaning but to be organized. Love your ideas to go vertical and to maximize storage without compromising comfort. And gracias for the links to the products that you use & endorse. I will be purchasing several, hopefully you will get a percentage as an affiliate. So cool to leave in your chickens in the background. Lol. By the way, I’m curious what kind of software do you use to insert the wording and pictures. It is so smooth and professional looking. Again many thanks! Jerry & Kate .
Thanks so much, and yes we do get a little kick back. We just use an iPhone and iMovie. 🤷🏻♀️
Wonderful. Thank you for sharing the iMovie source. I’m sure I can find many videos here on TH-cam. I’ve got an iPhone so I’m halfway there. Lol. I will post my hacking tip separately. Thanks again!
Hi. Nice video! Thanks for all the ideas. We live in Central Illinois. Have you ever stayed at Clinton Lake? We will be heading there later for the first time this month.
Hi! We have heard Clinton lake is of great but alas, it’s still on our hit list. We are trying out Shelbyville next, have you been there?
We have not tried Shelbyville although a friend who fishes there every spring keeps encouraging us to go. In Illinois we have enjoyed Jim Edgar Panther Creek and Shawnee. New Salem is also cool since you can walk the grounds in the village at night when the deer roam. Happy camping!
Keep up the good work. I swear you two look so familiar l. I'm in central Illinois, who knows we might bump into you sometime. I'm trying to get the nerve to put a floating vinyl wood floor down in my pop up.
Well if you happen to go to Radiant church in Spfld, that could be why. Have you done the vinyl plank? It’s pretty simple and comes out lovely.
Good to see you again. Did you get to look up the Ninja Woodfire grill?
I was looking on Amazon and wasn’t sure which one. We are working on a camp stove for now.
My problem is my Jayco Jayflight 174BH has few places to nail anything. The inside walls could hurt the exterior shell. The inside walls are covered in a material that sticky things like command hooks fall off.
Hmm. What about magnets? Over the door hooks? 🤔
@@AdventuresinPopUps I need to look for some! Good idea!
Magnets don't work with aluminum roof 🙃
@@sanrafaelhoa1363 riiight. 😄
First comment!
Goofy goober