My 1st, any tips tricks or advice - please

[wgonfan]

I just bought my first popup - a nice 1988 coleman chesapeak.  It has AC & Heater.   I have been in boating for years & when I first buy a boat there are several things that I change, repair or redo before I ever take it out( regardless if the previous owner told me he just did it or not).  I was wondering if there are any things that I need to do to this popup before my 1st outing.  Also I think it only has a 700btu A/c - any tips in helping this small a/c cool this big popup?     Lastly are there any kind of conversion to not have to pump the fuacet when it's hooked up to city water?


any & all advice is appreciated.

   Thanks,
      TC

[wgonfan]

Sorry to double post this, but I think it's more fitting over here

   I just bought my first popup - a nice 1988 coleman chesapeak. It has AC & Heater. I have been in boating for years & when I first buy a boat there are several things that I change, repair or redo before I ever take it out( regardless if the previous owner told me he just did it or not).



I was wondering if there are any things that I need to do to this popup before my 1st outing. The awining has two poles on each side, I determined that one goes to the ground & the other runs back up top, but there are no places to snap the little ball at the end of the "top" pole into, am I missing something? Also I think it only has a 700btu A/c - any tips in helping this small a/c cool this big popup? Lastly are there any kind of conversion to not have to pump the fuacet when it's hooked up to city water?



any & all advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
TC

[hoppy]

First, congrats on the purchase of the PU.
 Hope you enjoy many memorable trips with it.

 Question:

 # 1. Most Coleman awnings would have two, and possibly three vertical  poles attached to the front rail of the awning that are in sleeves with holes in the side of poles, so that a spring loaded button slips into to set the height adjustment of the awning. In addition there will be three seperate poles (AKA as the ridge poles) that are inserted into the front rail, and the roof of the PU. These poles are adjusted in the same manner as the vertical poles, and insert into fabric loops near the PU roof in the awning material. This style awning will need to be "staked" to the ground using ropes with adjustable tensioners.

 # 2. Back in those years, you probably do not have a roof model AC. The roof models come in 8K, 13.5K, and 15.0K BTU. I assume that your model has a window style AC unit mounted through the wall of the PU. Most of these style AC units came in the area of 5K BTU output. Though not great, they will help keep the humidity lower and cooler that the outside temp. I had this system in my 78' Palomino, and it did a decent job. Just keep the filter clean is all I can offer. Adding fans in the PU will help distribute the cooler air through out the PU. You may want to upgrade to a newer 8K unit if you like. About $100.00 - $ 150.00 the last time I looked. Should fit the same size hole as the existing unit.

 # 3. The faucet that came with your PU should have the option of "pumping" the water if coming from the water storage tank, or just turning on like a regular faucet at home if connected to the city supply line.  The water line will be pressurized by the water pressure from the post. I suggest that you purchase a water pressure regulator (Marshall  brass model) for under ten bucks. This is insurance that your PU water lines never get more than 40-50 PSI of pressure to them. They are placed at the pole, and the extension hose into the PU. There are conversions for "dry" camping that can elliminate the pumping of the faucet handle. You can purchase a 12 V water pump (about $ 70.00) which on demand (once the faucet is opened) a sensor in the pump head turns on the pump. ShurFlo, and a number of manufacturers have these style pumps for PU's

 Hope this helps.

[hoppy]

I posted my reply back to you in the "Fix-It"

[wgonfan]

Thanks for the reply.  My awning has four poles  one on each side has a ball on the end that looks like it's suppose to fit into some sort of joint. The other two poles go striaght to the ground.  The problem is that I don't find a socket to fit the ball into.  It is an after market awning.

   The a/c is roof mount A/c - I've been told that it is ok to let theese things run all day with out worry of freezing up - is this true?

Thanks again for the tips.

TC

[hoppy]

Not familar with your style awning. Do you happen to know the name of the manufacturer?

 I can answer the AC question though.

 I pretty much run my Coleman 15.0 BTU all the time down here in GA. One thing to keep in mind that will freeze the coil is low volume of air going acrossed them in high humidity conditions. Many people make the simple mistake of turning the fan to the low setting at night to go to sleep, and do not turn down the the cooling thermostat. This provides a minimum amount of air flow acrossed the coil, and the compressor not cycling. I set the thermostat to allow the compressor to cycle on and off. The number one reason for them freezing is not allowing the compressor to turn off for a period of time to allow the coil to warm up, and drop the condensation of the coil, and out of the unit. The take up air will be between 70 -75 degrees, and will not allow the coil to freeze.

  Hope this was not too confussing. I somethimes use a whole lot of words to explain a whole lot of nothing.

[Ron]

If the unit hasn't been towed in a while and the bearings haven't been packed in awhile (1 Year or 5000 mi). I would consider repacking the wheel bearings and adjust the brakes if it has them. Also check the tires for age cracking/checking.

[fishncamp]

Bunk end covers and parking in the shade may help your ac along.On my pu I can turn the tap to turn the water on when hooked up to water and only need to pump when using water from my tank.

[tlhdoc]

You can install a 12 volt electric water pump so that you don't have to pump the sink when dry camping, but if you are hooked up to a water supply you should only have to lift the handle or turn it to get water.

www.popupgizmos.com sells custom made solar covers for your bunkends to help keep the temps lower with our without an air conditioner.  You can also keep the bunkend curtains closed to help keep the AC in the body of the camper when you are not in bed.
 
One thing I would have done is to have the wheel bearings serviced.  It should be done every year.  I would also check out the tires.  If there are small cracks developing, replace them.  The trailer tires often dry rot from lack of use.  If you are replacing them don't forget the spare.

[tlhdoc]

The awning has two poles on each side, I determined that one goes to the ground & the other runs back up top, but there are no places to snap the little ball at the end of the "top" pole into, am I missing something?

The little tip goes into a hole on the awning rail, the end of the awning away from the camper roof.  The rubber thing on the other end (it looks like the end of a crutch) goes against the roof of the camper.  I am assuming this is a Coleman awning.  My first PU a 1986 and my current PU a 1999 had the same style awning.  I answered your other questions on your first post.
 
Good luck with the camper and feel free to ask any other questions.

[moderator1]

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