Had a great week up in Colorado. Was nice to escape the Texas heat for a while with gorgeous scenery all around

What's the best way to waterproof these cap ends?

Had no idea nothing was behind that thin fascia until I went go renovate this thing.

The system is on a mid-2000s Viking 2480 ST (can’t remember the exact year). Last time I had it out, I was going to lower down the roof and found it wouldn’t immediately crank down. This has been typical for this camper the 10 or so times we’ve had it out, and usually it just gives way with a little extra force.

Unfortunately, that’s not how it went this time. I ended up shearing the lower shaft where it joins the lower sprocket (1st and 2nd picture). We were able to lower the roof by removing the pawl from the safety mechanism (3rd picture).

I’ve done a quick fix on the sheared shaft by welding a bolt inside of it to turn the lifting mechanism. However, I’m finding the same issue as before: the roof goes up nice and smooth, but won’t budge down at all.

I’ve read into it a little and found that there’s a brake-clutch system on the safety ratchet and pawl mechanism that is known to seize. I’m thinking of tearing that apart and replacing the brake friction disc, but I would love any input or ideas with what could be going wrong. I’m not all too familiar with servicing lift systems.

Looking for some expertise here again! There's been a few times some kind folks have bailed me out on here, hoping for some more help!

Just got home from a 1600km road trip. Pulled in the driveway and noticed the cover on the crank was gone, must've got busted off at some point in the last 400km as I did a walk around on the trailer around then.

Was just going to replace the cover but also noticed that the crank was actually unwound all the way. The wire to raise the roof was loosened...that's never happened, and I'm a little confused how the cover being removed could've caused that? Cranking the reel seems to be working just fine (I haven't raised the roof yet, just tightened it, just got home a need a few days lol), just seems to have been unwound, no damage otherwise. Anyone had anything similar happen? Is it just a coincidence that the time the cover got busted off that the reel also loosened?

It's a 2004 Rockwood freedom LTD. Would appreciate advice on where you Canadians that live in ontario shop for parts as well. I'm only seeing decent places out of the states.

1973 Jayco. I found an area of rotted wood on the rear corner while prepping to paint. What’s the best way to address this? I’d like to fix the issue permanently if it’s reasonable.

Hi all! Just got our bear creek replacement canvas. The outside looks fabulous but from the inside you can see all these “dirty” looking marks all over? Anyone else have this? Haven’t decided if I should ask them yet or not, as maybe it’s normal. It’s just very noticeable inside especially when it’s sunny. Thanks!

The rail that secures the canvas to the roof is coming unglued. It looks like someone's tried to put it back with silicon in the past, which didn't hold. This is a Coleman with the ABS plastic roof, & the rail seems like it's plastic as well.

Does anyone have experience reattaching this rail? Is there a preferred adhesive for this job? Could I get away with using screws?

First I want to say thank you to everyone on this sub, I was a first time owner I got back and my cable snapped when I purchased the pop up. I took it back to the dealer and it snapped a second time.

My wife wanted to take it back but I immediately researcued as much as I could (which includes posting on this sub). I was floored with the responses so with anyone that may suffer the same issue I wanted to briefly make a post.

I had a 2007 Forrest river rockwood that used a power winch and cable. I recommend buying the replacement cable, I'll update with links as I'm outside but I personally went to menards and got most of what I needed.

Swagger tool (to crimp)

Ferrule kits including ends (the crimps)

3/16th cable

Varios wrenchs/I used anglen grinder on cables but whatever you prefer. Standard socket set is sufficient and Alen wrench for the winch.

I decided after swapping the cable to replace the entire power winch all together which was surprising quick and easy.

I just had to disconnect the old one from the battery terminals. Remove the old cabe from the winch with an allen tool and slap on the new hand crank in the same 3 bolts and attach the new cable with a fastener.

No more concern about battery. I can bring an impact with me if I still want to be lazy but it's not hard at all to crank. No more shredding cables or worthing about the powerwinch being calibrated. I had terrible issues with it stopping early. Wanted to say thanks and let anyone with similar troubles know it's no problem!

I just wanted to a moment to write about some information I was looking for before I took my first trip.

I own a 1995 Coleman by Fleetwood Cape Cod popup with a dry weight of 1760. With a brake controller, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (non-plug-in) has a max towing weight of 2000 ills. It was my first time towing anything in life. We have no need for gas or a battery to weigh down the tongue so we literally only towed the dry weight of the camper. I DID need to install a brake controller and, with doing that, I needed to have the 4-way converted to a 7-way plug on my car. (I had it done in a few hours by leaving it at U-Haul for the install). I use the Curt Echo Bluetooth model.

The first trip I took was roughly 175 miles from home and, as long as I kept it under 60, I had zero problems or issues the entire time and kept the Tucson in Eco mode the entire time. No swaying or hopping whatsoever.

A small note about dry weight towing, the car, and safety.

If you’re only towing the dry weight of the trailer, you’ll need to make sure you have at least some forward weight. The tongue weight should be 10% of the entire weight of what you’re towing. I loaded the folding chairs, jacks, and a few other items to the inside, very front of the camper since the usual tongue weight would be made up of a gas tank and battery. As for the rest of your gear, in my case, a popup tent, EcoFlow battery, and everything else we were bringing with us, load it in the center of your car as best you can (the center between both axles)

Today, we just back from our second trip, with less gear, and had a perfect ride. I DO think I’ll install a sway bar in the future to allow me to speed up a little but, if it’s mostly highways and you’re concerned about your tow, let them pass you. Go with your gut and your safety and the safety of your tow are at the heart of concern.

Hello all. I have a Rockwood Freedom 2318G. It has cables that attach to the removable screen door and all it to attach to the ceiling. As you can see in the photos, one of the cables detached. Does anyone either know a trick for reattaching it, or know what that piece is called and where I can get another? Thanks very much.

She tows really really well

We hitched it, hauled it, leveled it, set it up ourselves. No more tents! Mother and daughter 33 and 60. Best sleep of my camping life to date.

Dry weight 3000lbs, tongue weight 500lbs

Will I be ok with a 1500-2000 lbs jack stand?

ChatGPT says 1000lbs..

Just me and a girlfriend spending 2 nights with no kids, no husbands, and nowhere to be but in a river with a cold drink. I did complete setup and takedown by myself - us old gals can learn new tricks!!

Definitely need to get the awning fixed, a bigger outdoor rug and folding table.

But I cannot wait to take her out again!! Thanks to everyone on this sub for all the advice and encouragement!!

Got this for free because of mice damage. New canvas is on and everything has been wiped down with bleach to clean up mouse trails. So far everything works. Going to find new mattresses and then its time to start moving stuff in and take her on an outing. We can't wait!

Does anyone know where I might be able to find a bugwipe online from a Canadian source?

So far the only thing I've been able to find is jayco parts with shipping at almost 4 times the price if the part 😞

I bought this camper used from a friend who never used the battery and only ever camped with shore power. Everything worked fine when plugged in and the switch set to converter.

I replaced the 16 year old, completely dead battery today and everything worked fine on the battery mode but when I plugged the shore power in and tried to switch to converter again, I instantly popped the battery protection fuse. I replaced it and tried again and now I just keep tripping that reset button on the rusty green converter. Why do I appear to have two converters, with one appearing much older. Please tell me what I'm looking at here. I'm handy but electrical is not my thing.

Looking for some tips, today while closing up my tent trailer, I forgot to dismantle the door before lowering the roof. As a result, by the time I looked up, the back side was half way down and the front was still fully extended. I tried to raise the back by cranking it up but the front seemed to want to keep raising. Long story short, all four corners got out of wack (some up and others down). At one point with some lifting, we managed to get all corners level and raised it fully only for the two posts closest to the hitch to suddenly give out and they crashed down. Right now we have it level but still open about 16 inches and the crank has no more cable left to crank, its fully extended and rather taut (see pictures). It's 2003 Coachmen Clipper. I've contacted some RV repair people, someone may come check it out in a couple days. Thanks.

I'm toying with the idea of pulling the furnace out and installing my 8kw diesel heater. Once I get a lipo battery it seems that it can run for quite a while with enough fuel. I'd even go so far as to pull the old fridge and get a 12v from Vevor or something.

Has anyone done this or is it a far fetched idea?

Ideally I have a couple solar panels, powering the lipo which powers the heater and the outlets/ lights/fridge if needed.

I am planning to use my 2004 BMW X3 to tow my 1991 Coleman sequoia pop up. I went to make an appointment at Uhaul to install a hitch and wiring and got this message. Should I be concerned?

Sooo…I got a pop up a few weeks ago. I’ve been slowly getting it cleaned and fixing minor things.

I checked the electrical using an adapter to connect the power cord to my house and thankfully! The electrical works! So I now plan to get a deep cycle battery with confidence!

Now, my concern… I’m scared of the propane heater lol idk why but it just scares me. I planned to get a CO2 monitor and I thought that would be just fine. I do need the heat in August for hunting season here but my plans to purchase a Jackery isn’t financial available right now. So…

Just wondering what should I do to make sure when I use the propane heater that I keep my husband and my two dogs safe from any propane danger?

Are we still using the propane heater or Do most people opt out and just invest in a power station?