What to look for when buying a used pop up camper 

Man lately with how the pandemic has been, you're lucky to get a pop up at all. I found a little Jayco 8SD that I was the first to message about. If I hadn't have gone with cash that day and gotten it, there were literally 30-40 people in line behind me to get it.

The Coleman Royal seems to be almost identical to a Taos that I own. Critters will find their way in through the gap at the bottom of the swinging outer half door when the unit is folded. It’s a simple fix with a 1x4” board cut to fill the gap. Just pop it in place before closing up. Be sure its a good fit by getting underneath and looking up. Remember - mice only need an opening the size of your little finger to get in. The Dexter hub is an irregular size so getting replacement parts will require a bit of work: you’ll need a bearing specialist to measure for a proper fit.

Great info! After renovating my 99 Jayco Heritage, my take away with getting a used fixer upper PUP, if you're not handy with tools, better to fork more money for a much newer camper to save the hassle. With mine its from CA so no rust, no dry rot, good bones but pretty neglected. I had to bring out the welder to fix the lift mechanism, the spring guides use paper thin metal, fabricated new ones using thicker steel. Complete renovation inside, and new paint with decals on the outside. Canvas was in good shape but had to patch up some areas and paint it. Not a lot of people realize you can paint the canvas with acrylic paint. Overall I spent a few hundred dollars to bring it to almost new condition and a few months of weekend work. But that's because I already had the tools. I also had to 3d print some hard to find parts. Great worthwhile project for the advanced DIY'er, but average buyers should be wary because a lot of issues may not be apparent until you tear it down.

The trailers you are showing are ready for the juynkyard.

You’ve got three that you opened for the first time… I’m having trouble finding one! Lol! Covid really screwed the used pop up market.

I'm a new subscriber. I Liked this video. I came to you as a result of watching Gander Flight. I'm in the market for a low profile camper that I can pull behind my Toyota Sienna minivan. I am looking at someone's Forest River pop up and needed this video to know what to look for. Thank you very much!

Hey Derek, we watched nearly all the your u tubes and it has saved us with servicing the lift system. Fantastic work, love your advice. Cheers Brett, Perth, Western Australia,

Great video. Glad I watched, I didn't realize there are 3 different types of roof.

Very good information and suggestions. Thank you!!

I ended up using your tips to buy a copy of the Royale you have in your video, but in better condition. Thanks for sharing.

Very good information. Thank you.

Great information..thank you for sharing!

the only useful video on campers i've found

Thank you , great video

Thanks for the education! I’ve never been camping and have no idea what to look for. I really liked the amenities in that Shenandoah. Was that a special package when it was new? How much would that cost to fix up at an rv store?

Thank you so much for this video. We are currently looking for a small Coleman pop-up. We will be taking out the kitchen (fridge/sink) and replacing with a smaller updated portable fridge and sink will also be portable. Hopefully it won’t have a/c we prefer fantastic fans. Taking out electrical and replacing it with a portable solar system with backup battery. We will also be taking out one of the slider beds. Please tell me if I’m correct in thinking I should keep the slide out bed that would be over the towing apparatus or should it be the slide out bed on the other side? Thank you again for this video!

What would be the solution to re-enforce the inside ABS roof. I just purchased a Bayside and it feels loose at one of the ends, inside. The previous owner put tape in it and told that it never leaked. But, after buying it, it makes me a bit annoyed not to get it fixed. Suggestions?

Great advice.......thank you!

I bought a 200 to repair and found a few things that I don't know what they are. It's a 2000 santa fe. I found a round hole cut out under a seat with a vent pipe that seems to go nowhere .

Very helpful

Don't touch damaged fiberglass. The tiny shards will break off in your skin.

awesome video!

Where can I buy all new canvas for the pop out sides and front and the back all ways round

I have a 2005 Fleetwood Colonial and it has the aluminum roof and ac(with sag) and the roof is separating on the inside like you showed in the video. I have left the camper up and at an angle to keep the water out, how can I fix it, and is it leaking from the a/c or one of the ends. i thick the previous owner may have walked on the roof(or maybe our heavy snow load) as the ac supports are flatish and the foam between them and interior roof have an air gap. I really want to save this as my kids have really grown up using it with us and we want to continue if possible. TIA

Really been using your videos for our “new” used 2006 Fleetwood Seapine. I did have a question about power…..seems most have 30amp coming from their pop-ups but ours is a 15amp. Is that normal? We bought an adapter so the AC will run at parks. Thanks so much in advance!

Thanks

Tu but i would have walked away from all three campers.

Coleman campers look to be the cheapest of the cheap. I think Starcraft are better made. I am not sure about Rockwood or Jayco.

that first camper looked horrible, i wouldn't take it , if you gave it to me. number 2 , yuck. number needs a new roof. i think you should retitle this how about. "pop up junk yard" for parts only .

Amazing to me how these videos have horrible audio quality and RU-vid does nothing to try and improve this.. Not much of a media company..

Where can I buy all new canvas for the pop out sides and front and the back all ways round