Popup campers
Congratulations. You have decided to advance from a pup tent to PopUp Campers. It will give you years of fun and adventure on the road and around the camp fires and is the next step upwards for the tent towards new motorhomes!Since it will probably cost you a good sum of money to get one, here are some tips on how to keep it in tip-top shape.
Preventive maintenance will keep your pop-up camper ready for use. But before each trip, be sure to run through a check list. Inspect the safety chains and the wring connections, especially between the trailer and vehicle that will be towing it. Do signals and brake lights work? Speaking of brakes, make sure they are operational. If Popup Campers are mechanical the hydraulic fluid levels need to be checked and also the connections for leaking. If a crank, make sure it is not rusting, need lubrication, etc. Inspect the tires and the hitch. Don’t forget to test the fire extinguisher.
Popupcamper
In between uses, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Clean out the fridge, water and the toilet systems. Store away your gear. Turn off the gas supply and store the battery. Drain the water lines. Never park it near a wood pile or in the grass. Small rodents and bugs will scurry into it for shelter, stain the canvas or upholstery and fray the wiring.
To winterize Popup Campers: Disconnect the battery and turn off the LP gas at the valve. It is best to park the trailer at a downward slope so snow, ice, or rain can cascade off, even if you have it under roof.. Never cover it with a tarp or canvas. The trailer needs to have air flowing through it. Lubricate the hitch and coupler, the bed slides and repack the wheel bearings. It is a good idea to put a block of wood under the tires to keep them from popping. Of course, blow out the water lines so there is none trapped inside the pipes that will freeze.
If you are purchasing one of the used tent trailers or Popup Campers, check to see if the previous owner was diligent in its upkeep. Inspect the electrical and LP gas lines. Make sure it has a GFI (ground fault interrupter). You want to inspect the doors and windows to see if they all close securely. If there are any canvas parts, check the stitching and zippers. Examine the roof seals for any leakage, and inside for any dampness or signs of water damage. Of course, walk through all the steps to raise and lower it, extend it, and set up the galley, toilet and shower. Run through the electrical hook ups, the water pump system and the tow wiring. Then reverse the process and watch the owner close it all back down. Look for signs that it has been sitting way to long where it is. Yeah, kick the tires if you want and then go over the warranty and repair paperwork.
There are many travel trailers parts and accessories available for your brand and style of pop-up camper. There are heaters, A/C, screened-in extender rooms, even attachable outdoor showers and water heaters.
Some come with a built-in fridge and range. Reputable names are Coleman, Fleetwood and Rockwood, and each manufacturer will have a list of accessories and where to find parts for that particular model and year. If you are buying a used pop-up camper, be sure to ask the previous owner where they purchased their pop-up camper parts. Palomino has accessories for the outside of the pop-up trailer and the parts if they need replacing.
Whether you buy a new or used Popup Campers or tent trailers, keeping it maintained and in good shape takes a little time, but is well worth the investment. Treat it well and you will get many adventures out of it to tell the grandkids or the guys at work.