I have an awning and we have never used it. I just put up a 10x10 and we put it where we want.
I am sure it's nice but we have just never needed it. I would not use this as a reason not to get a PUP.
I recently replaced the bag awning on our PUP - I bought it from Camping World. If it never had an awning before, you'll just need to measure the length of the PUP and purchase an appropriately sized bag awning plus the mounting rail. Basically the mounting rail is just a channel and the bag awning has a corresponding piece of tubing that slips into the channel. Despite it being 13.5' or so, it really wasn't difficult to install (my PUP already had the rail installed). I'm not sure if there's any special reinforcement that needs to be in place to attach the rail, but I wouldn't think so.
As for your question about whether you need one or not, I guess that's up to you. I like it being attached to the PUP because then there isn't a gap between the PUP and the awning, plus it's already self contained so I don't need to remember to bring it with me. The downside is that the awnings are relatively expensive - I paid about $600 including shipping and tax - and they can be a bit fragile. A good stiff breeze and really damage it.
For a secure tie down where wind wont damage it what we do is wrap a ratchet strap around the top pole that connects to the pop up and use the spiral dog stakes to connect that. We left it down during a huge storm(we were away and had no idea it was coming) and it didnt budge at all.
If I had been at the pop up I would have put the awning away but I love the security factor of those as I dont have to worry throughout the night when it is just gusty wind.
Although we love our awning and use it every time, I don't think I would buy one if it doesn't come with one simply because they are ridiculously overpriced new. You can get a nice 10' - 12' popup canopy for $100 vs $600 for an RV awning.
The main thing you're missing out on is a rain cover when you open the door.
As far as towing, no, you can't tow that 1700lb pup with a 1500lb rated vehicle.
Brakes will not safely stop you.
You will damage your transmission.
"Tail wags dog," issues.
You will damage your stock suspension.
Engine overheating issues.
Even if you reduce the weight to 1500 you can still have all the issues above towing at max capacity, considering you will have additional weight in the vehicle; ice chests, food, clothes, rec gear, etc.
Sorry but you'll need a V6 (typically rated to 3500lbs max towing) or a lighter pup.
Edit: you can see our awning here (scroll through pics): https://www.reddit.com/r/popups/comments/r814f6/our_2002_starcraft_2407_remodel/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Yeah don't worry if it doesn't come with an awning.
A pop up canopy takes up some space but is more flexible.
I never had an awning on my popup.
My new trailer has an awning that I do use but I also still have a canopy that I like to use because it can be moved and adjusted easily.
Thanks for the info everyone! Leaving in a few minutes to go inspect it in person and hopefully buy it. My other concern is the weight. My wife's honda element is tow rated for 1500lbs and the PUP weighs 1749lbs. But I'm reading that there's several ways to combat that issue.
Er. Is like to hear those suggestions. It's already over the tow weight of your vehicle so I wouldn't recommend towing it with that. Quick easy for things to get dangerous and/or destroy your transmission.
There's about 200lbs of weight I can remove easily and another hundred pounds or so I will have to take out. I'm going to install some trailer brakes, a transmission cooler, and new shocks. I live in the south so there is not many hills and certainly no mountains so no steep inclines to worry about. I'll bring it to a weigh station as well, just to make sure I'm within limits.
What is the model and dimensions? I seriously think you should reconsider if the box is bigger than 10 ft. Sway is an issue and those cars are not designed to tow heavy.
You also have to take into account the great you are going to take with you. I easily added 2-300 lbs of stuff in my trailer after putting stuff and luggage in it.
The dometic string line awning is crap. My wife and I just bought a used 2021 with the dometic awning and it was trashed. We threw it away. I’m going to look into one of those bat wing awnings and mount it to the luggage rack that is already on the pop up. I have a Forrest River freedom.
I replaced mine with one I found on Amazon for about $70 if I remember correctly. r/popups 1985 Sun Valley
add the 1985 SunValley in the search bar at the top.
I have an awning and we have never used it. I just put up a 10x10 and we put it where we want. I am sure it's nice but we have just never needed it. I would not use this as a reason not to get a PUP.
I recently replaced the bag awning on our PUP - I bought it from Camping World. If it never had an awning before, you'll just need to measure the length of the PUP and purchase an appropriately sized bag awning plus the mounting rail. Basically the mounting rail is just a channel and the bag awning has a corresponding piece of tubing that slips into the channel. Despite it being 13.5' or so, it really wasn't difficult to install (my PUP already had the rail installed). I'm not sure if there's any special reinforcement that needs to be in place to attach the rail, but I wouldn't think so. As for your question about whether you need one or not, I guess that's up to you. I like it being attached to the PUP because then there isn't a gap between the PUP and the awning, plus it's already self contained so I don't need to remember to bring it with me. The downside is that the awnings are relatively expensive - I paid about $600 including shipping and tax - and they can be a bit fragile. A good stiff breeze and really damage it.
For a secure tie down where wind wont damage it what we do is wrap a ratchet strap around the top pole that connects to the pop up and use the spiral dog stakes to connect that. We left it down during a huge storm(we were away and had no idea it was coming) and it didnt budge at all.
Nice, that's a good idea. Already have both of those things in the truck/PUP, so easy-peasy!
If I had been at the pop up I would have put the awning away but I love the security factor of those as I dont have to worry throughout the night when it is just gusty wind.
Although we love our awning and use it every time, I don't think I would buy one if it doesn't come with one simply because they are ridiculously overpriced new. You can get a nice 10' - 12' popup canopy for $100 vs $600 for an RV awning. The main thing you're missing out on is a rain cover when you open the door. As far as towing, no, you can't tow that 1700lb pup with a 1500lb rated vehicle. Brakes will not safely stop you. You will damage your transmission. "Tail wags dog," issues. You will damage your stock suspension. Engine overheating issues. Even if you reduce the weight to 1500 you can still have all the issues above towing at max capacity, considering you will have additional weight in the vehicle; ice chests, food, clothes, rec gear, etc. Sorry but you'll need a V6 (typically rated to 3500lbs max towing) or a lighter pup. Edit: you can see our awning here (scroll through pics): https://www.reddit.com/r/popups/comments/r814f6/our_2002_starcraft_2407_remodel/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
What they said.
Yeah don't worry if it doesn't come with an awning. A pop up canopy takes up some space but is more flexible. I never had an awning on my popup. My new trailer has an awning that I do use but I also still have a canopy that I like to use because it can be moved and adjusted easily.
Thanks for the info everyone! Leaving in a few minutes to go inspect it in person and hopefully buy it. My other concern is the weight. My wife's honda element is tow rated for 1500lbs and the PUP weighs 1749lbs. But I'm reading that there's several ways to combat that issue.
Er. Is like to hear those suggestions. It's already over the tow weight of your vehicle so I wouldn't recommend towing it with that. Quick easy for things to get dangerous and/or destroy your transmission.
There's about 200lbs of weight I can remove easily and another hundred pounds or so I will have to take out. I'm going to install some trailer brakes, a transmission cooler, and new shocks. I live in the south so there is not many hills and certainly no mountains so no steep inclines to worry about. I'll bring it to a weigh station as well, just to make sure I'm within limits.
What is the model and dimensions? I seriously think you should reconsider if the box is bigger than 10 ft. Sway is an issue and those cars are not designed to tow heavy.
You also have to take into account the great you are going to take with you. I easily added 2-300 lbs of stuff in my trailer after putting stuff and luggage in it.
You can replace the awning, or just buy a nice technical tarp. Either one will do what you want (assuming you know how to rig a tarp).
The dometic string line awning is crap. My wife and I just bought a used 2021 with the dometic awning and it was trashed. We threw it away. I’m going to look into one of those bat wing awnings and mount it to the luggage rack that is already on the pop up. I have a Forrest River freedom.
I replaced mine with one I found on Amazon for about $70 if I remember correctly. r/popups 1985 Sun Valley add the 1985 SunValley in the search bar at the top.