Retired truck driver here, if your dealing with canvas, stop by or call a tarp company that makes tarps, and buy a canvas repair kit. That's canvas, PVC glue, and a roller. Use alcohol to clean the canvas and cut a patch for your corners. At tarp shops and truck stops you can buy corner protectors. We also use baby diapers and carpet. Carpet works great. Tires. Go a load range heavier than what is called for, if it calls for a load range c, replace with a load range d. The heavier tire will handle the weight and heat better. Happy camping peoples.
1. Tires and wheel bearings 2. Canvas 3. Electrical lights, a/c, etc, ( work well, not too loud) 4. Floor (check that it is not rotted out) 5. Cables* -- most important ( If broken, wont be able to crank up your tent) 6. Plumbing and water system
I took two stingers along with 2 sizes of balls when I went to look at and ultimately buy my popup. That made it possible to tow no matter which size without having to go look for one. I also had to drive over 4 hours to buy mine.
We used to have a pop camper.We camped with it a few times. One time, it started thunder and lightning outside. And the wind blew the camper back and forth. Although we stayed dry, the wife didn't want to camp in it any more.Finally sold it and got a bigger camper.
All good advice. Another thing and probably the very first thing you should check is that your tow vehicle is more than capable of handling the weight of the camper. Don’t forget to add in passengers and all your gear to the total weight that the tow vehicle must handle.
I rented one once. Everything was fine except it kind of rocked a lot during certain activities. Kinda made my girlfriend of that time a little shy about going outside in the camp grounds.
You cannot tell the status of ST trailer tires by visual inspection. They are made of different materials than automobile tires which is why the speed max for them is 65mph. Learn to read the date code on the tires. 3-8 years from the date on the tire says the manufacturers. No matter how great they look. Tires are cheap anyway. Check the code before you buy them, or have it verified by phone if online like I buy. I never go longer than three years old and I also pray and give thanks to the Tire Gods regularly. They have been good to me. It's also a good idea to make sure you can get a flat tire on a pop-up camper axle off the ground with the equipment you currently have or plan to use. A lot of times to Jack that came with. A lot of times to Jack that came with with your tow vehicle will not get low enough and you may need to buy your camper its own Jack. That's likely actually. Good luck
A couple things you forgot to mention: bed slides, parts availability for that camper, if it has a power lift then those components, the seals on all the components because thats what keeps the wood from swelling, and the roof safety bars. The roof safety bars slide over 2 of the lift posts when extended diagonal from each other and keep the roof from killing you if the cables snap when inside the camper
Whenever I buy a used car or rv I check for shit stains. You'd be surprised at how many people shit themselves and never properly clean and sanitize the seating areas.
Loving your videos! I'm going to buy my first tent trailer tomorrow and all of your videos have been super helpful! Thanks! I'm finding that the truck tow electrical also needed to be upgraded for the camper plug. Wish me luck! :)
Thank you for the info bud ! My wife and i are currently looking to buy our first pop up camper and we are wanting a jayco ! Seems to be some nice ones out there but man they sell quick.
It's funny you talked about the hitch. we went to pick ours up in the middle of nowhere Texas got there and we were in my wife's truck... we had to drive 40 miles to get a new receiver and ball.
The main reason why I have not committed to buying a camper or rv is that the shower and toilet are always too small for a big guy to to use comfortably
Don't forget certificate of origin I bought one and was promised they have the paperwork sent to me and did not so I couldn't get a tag bill of sale is worthless just thought I would add that great videos keep them coming
Never take delivery of an RV from anyone or any dealer without ALL of the required and accurate paper work. By delivery, I mean: Paid for or finance agreement signed. Never, never, never.
Just V Garcia the plywood for the floor is usually factory sealed but you can get to it from underneath anyways. You can always pull the tents out to paint all that exposed wood
Good coverage on all the basics Jack. The only thing we have replaced is the tires, before I brought it down here to Florida. My fiancé saw the remodel video and she's thinking about following suit.
Looking above the canvas where it meets the topper is something I didn't think about I might have to check it and if it looks like it's going to start getting bad pull into the garage or the heat on let it dry out and it might just hit it with some Rhino liner or Flex Seal. I know the whole underside of the camper looks good but I don't know how many layers of wood there is between the underside and the actual interior. If there is a torn seam? On one edge of the large window the zipper is only attached to the canvas and it's ripped off of the vinyl window panel.
Great video 👊 Is there anyway to lock the trailer to the hitch, On the Jayco trailer there doesn’t seem to be a spot to put a lock on it so nobody can take the trailer off your hitch?
This has nothing to do with the video but I do have a bit of advice concerning dogs. I saw your dog in the squirrel dumpling video (which I do realize is a while back so I apologize if you have already addressed this) but you should do some research on pack mentality and how it relates to domesticated dogs. I am currently using it on a dog my uncle has and it's gone fairly well. I have used it on other dogs in the past as well and found the same results. In any case, nice videos and have a nice day!
It keeps your vehicle level even though it has extra weight hooked to it. It makes traveling at interstate speeds more manageable. I used Reese 49902 Complete Round Bar Weight Distribution Kit - 750 lbs. TW (See Amazon) for my 29' trailer. You don't need one that heavy. But many popups put alot of weight on the back of the vehicle and makes it nose light and the vehicle sways as you go down the road.
Came here specifically bc one is for sale near me for 500 so I def wanna know going in what is wrong, lol. I have enough projects still in my '65 Wildcat trailer.
