I have a fairly new TM - only about 10 days of camping in it so far. No leaks at all yet. I have no idea how people are able to say they can set up or tear down in the rain without getting the inside wet though - perhaps other people's rain isn't like mine. Of course I think I'd prefer a little rain to wet canvas any day, so the TM beats a pop-up there (think about mildew).
I have not had a problem with closing up in the rain and no longer care if it rains for 2-3 after I get home. When I had a pop up I ended up opening it up in the rain to keep it from mildewing before I could clean it.
Disadvantages:
1) More moving parts to break. I expect a latch to break at some point, there's a lot of force getting concentrated in a few spots. But so far it has been trouble free.
Agree with no problems so far
2) You have to set it up. This goes for a pop-up too. Takes about 15 minutes to set up, including unhitching, levelling, etc. You can skip some of the steps in a bind (or in the rain) if you have to and set up much quicker in a pinch.
On our way from Virginia to colorado last year for the jubilee our "end of the day stops" were done without disconnecting the TM from our tow vehicle. I couldn't do that with my pop up
4) Not being able to access the sewer hose storage compartment (in bumper on new models) while closed down (you don't have to set things up, just lift the back shell a bit to get to it - but still a pain).
I have no trouble on my 2006 3023 opening the compartment while shut - a slight adjustment in tension could fix that
5) Not being able to fill water while TM is shut down
do a search here on the forum. Someone came up with a simple effective way to do this for under $20
6) Those darn steps! If you close down with the steps out, you have to set back up to pull in the steps!
Use of a check list helps but expect that you WILL forget at least once
7) Cost is much higher than most travel trailers with similar ammenities but which don't fold down. I think it's worth it, but higher cost is a disadvantage.
No arguement here. They are the cadillac of pop ups. For us, a bathroom was a must. As Texas camper noted when you get to the pop ups with decent bathrooms you are looking at prices in the upper teens anyway. We like the hard walls as we can hang shelves and pictures and it looks more like a real trailer. Can't do that in a pop up as easily
8) Factory A/C is *very* loud. Fortunately I don't plan on using it more than 1-2 weeks per year, as it would drive me nuts. I really wish I had the dealer demonstrate how it sounded before I bought the unit - it might have made me consider other options - it's that loud.
The A/C in my fifth wheel isn't a lot quieter. You will know if it is raining though in a TM. we have been in one storm that made it so you couldn't hear the A/C. Wife likes the sound more than I do, I keep looking for the volume switch.
9) Snow camping. While you'll be warm enough, I have no idea how to get the shells down easily in the snow. You really don't want the weight on top when you lower them, and snow can be quite heavy.
We have camped several times in the snow. some good tips can be found if you do a search. We enjoyed ourselves. would have never tried it in our pop up.
10) No access to anything except the electrical plug, propane tanks, and batteries while it's closed. There is no accessible storage - at all - when the unit is closed. You can't get to the fridge with it closed. Kids aren't going to be able to easily get to the toilet when in the middle the desert in Nevada - you'll have to pop the thing up and set up the bathroom walls.
one of the reasons a TM is not for everyone. everything is a give and take. You can't get light weight, tow profile towing, fit in your garage trailer and have access to everything as easily as if it were set up. Question is, will it work for you?
11) Some of the ruggedized popups would handle some of the gravel and dirt roads in the mountains much better than I think the TM will. I try to stay to paved roads, but am willing to use well graded gravel roads occasionally. I wouldn't even think about trying to get the TM into some of the best tent camping areas in my area, even though I had no problem getting a Geo Metro into those areas when I was a student.
I have towed my TM places where I questioned my sanity afterwards and it did fine. If you hit the rough roads at high speeds and try and do evil kinevil stunts it probably will not hold up. Slow and easy it can handle alot.
13) Single axle on all but the largest TMs, with tires speed rated to 65 MPH and loaded near capacity.
Note the 3023 and 3124s have larger wheels and higher capacity axle. I haven't had a loading problem with my 3023. I have heard the comments that 2 axles are easier to control than 1 especially backing but now that I have backed with both the difference is not obvious to me.
Things I like:
3) Seems safe when towing. I've never feared the trailer getting away from me, but I have a full size truck - others may differ if they don't have a big tow vehicle.
I tow with a chevy trailblazer. Definately use a weight distributing hitch if you are not running with a full size truck.
4) I like the bathroom. It isn't a class A motorhome bathroom with full tub and 50 gallon black water tank - it's a very small bathroom, with a recirculating toilet. But it is a dry bathroom (toilet doesn't get wet when showering), and much nicer than anything I saw in a pop-up.
Agree on nicer than anything in the pop-up category. Seat does get cold in the winter though. My 35 ft 5th wheel has a 38 gallon black water tank. It is 3/4 full or better by the end of a weekend. My TM toilet would be about the same. Both "last" about the same length of time for us.
5) Has provisions for truly dry camping - it's self contained. Some pop-ups have gray water drain out an opening, with no gray water tank. That means you have to carry a tote with you to drain into.
Also means you can stop for the night in non dedicated RV places (walmart, rest stops, etc)
6) If you do dry camping (no hookups), the solar panel option (factory or a larger non-factory option if your dealer does it) is nice. I have the 80W factory option, and I can say it extends my camping time.
I haven't seen solar offered on a pop up yet but it probably is possible.
Things to consider, that I didn't spend much time thinking about
:
Think about microwave vs. oven when you consider trailers. Microwave, without a generator, is useless away from hookups. But if you never will use the oven...
I'm already planning on adding an electric tongue jack. Cranking the tongue jack gets very old quickly. Fortunately this is a relatively easy thing for a do-it-yourselfer to add, and not that expensive - or so I say right now before I've done it!
I did it in about 45 minutes, with a crescent wrench and a screw driver. Makes life much nicer especially with the brand of WDH I purchased.
I'll add: I'm really glad I bought the TM. You get a lot of space, and a lot of ammenities, in a small space. The tradeoffs I made in choosing the TM have been well worth it for me. I wouldn't recommend a TM if you really want a huge fifth wheel or Class A motor home - you probably won't be happy if that's what you want. Nor would I recommend it if you plan on driving 60 miles each way on bad dirt roads to get to your campsite. But if you plan on staying in semi-developed or fully developed campsites, I think it's about the best thing you can buy if you are comfortable with the floorplan and setup/takedown.