New Pop-up Owner Questions.

[horkyroj]

Well I found a great deal on a 1998 Coleman Mesa Pop-up.  Now before you tell me about the ABS roof issues I have throughly inspected this roof and I am aware of the potential issues with this rig.  Thus far the roof is in perfect condition with no sagging, cracks or blisters.....


So I just picked this it up used from a private buyer and while loading it up I had a few questions that crossed my mind and I thought maybe some of you experts could answer some of them.

1)  The camper has 30 amp service composed of a 10amp and a 20amp breaker but does not have an installed AC.  I would like to install an AC either this year or next and understand the procedure with cutting a hole in the roof but what I dont know is the wiring.  My first question is is there a wire up to where an AC would be that I just dont see?  If not what is the easiest way to run one considering the roof is filled with foam?

2)  Am I crazy for putting an AC unit on this roof?  No, there is not currently a fan.

3)  I found a little water damage (not much) in the rear corner of the camper.  Its probably a 1x1 are in the far back corner beneath the dinette seat.  The OSB is pretty crunch but still intact and the linoleum is discolored.  Should I worry about this?  I was thinking of cutting the bad OSB out and replacing it and then just laying new linoleum just under the seat.  Thoughts?

4)  I have used undercoating in the past for cars.  Is it worth the time to put it on the bottom of the camper on the OSB??  OSB + water = BAD so I am thinking undercoating would help.  Am I correct?

5)  This unit does not have a battery on it.  How hard it is to add one?  It had a seven pin plug, so I take it I just put it in line with the +12v and tie the GND to GND?


I think that is all I had for now.. Thanks for any advise you can offer!

[tlhdoc]

1) The camper has 30 amp service composed of a 10amp and a 20amp breaker but does not have an installed AC. I would like to install an AC either this year or next and understand the procedure with cutting a hole in the roof but what I dont know is the wiring. My first question is is there a wire up to where an AC would be that I just dont see? If not what is the easiest way to run one considering the roof is filled with foam?
 
2) Am I crazy for putting an AC unit on this roof? No, there is not currently a fan.
 
3) I found a little water damage (not much) in the rear corner of the camper. Its probably a 1x1 are in the far back corner beneath the dinette seat. The OSB is pretty crunch but still intact and the linoleum is discolored. Should I worry about this? I was thinking of cutting the bad OSB out and replacing it and then just laying new linoleum just under the seat. Thoughts?
 
4) I have used undercoating in the past for cars. Is it worth the time to put it on the bottom of the camper on the OSB?? OSB + water = BAD so I am thinking undercoating would help. Am I correct?
 
5) This unit does not have a battery on it. How hard it is to add one? It had a seven pin plug, so I take it I just put it in line with the +12v and tie the GND to GND?

1.  The wire for the AC does not run in the roof.  It runs on the inside of the camper.  When you are camping ask someone with a PU and AC to let you look at how the power cord is run.
 
2.  No you are not crazy to put AC on the ABS roof.  One thing you want to make sure of is that there is a roof support bar going across the roof on the inside.
 
3.  You do need to get rid of the bad area.  I would do what you are thinking about.  Cut the bad out, put the new in, then cover it with vinyl flooring.
 
4.  The manufacturer of the flooring in a Coleman/Fleetwood PU does not recommend coating the underside of the OBS.  If moisture does get in it, it can't get out.
 
5.  You should have a small white connector (with 2 wires going to it) on the tongue of the trailer where the wires going to the bargeman plug come out of the trailer frame.  Go to a Fleetwood dealer and buy a set of battery wires.  It will have the matching white plug, a neg wire and a positive wire with a self resetting circuit breaker on it.  Connect the battery wires to the battery and plug the end into the plug on the trailer.  I sure hope no one removed the factory wiring.
 
Good luck with the new camper and happy camping!:)

[Tim5055]

1)  The camper has 30 amp service composed of a 10amp and a 20amp breaker but does not have an installed AC.  I would like to install an AC either this year or next and understand the procedure with cutting a hole in the roof but what I dont know is the wiring.  My first question is is there a wire up to where an AC would be that I just dont see?  If not what is the easiest way to run one considering the roof is filled with foam?

Tracy has covered this, but basically after the A/C is installed the wire runs across the roof and is coiled up in the corner.  When you want to use the A/C you uncoil the cord and plug it into the 20a circuit.

2)  Am I crazy for putting an AC unit on this roof?  No, there is not currently a fan.

No, you are not crazy

3)  I found a little water damage (not much) in the rear corner of the camper.  Its probably a 1x1 are in the far back corner beneath the dinette seat.  The OSB is pretty crunch but still intact and the linoleum is discolored.  Should I worry about this?  I was thinking of cutting the bad OSB out and replacing it and then just laying new linoleum just under the seat.  Thoughts?

Cutting it out is an option, or you can use a product like gitrot to repair.  Waverly is probably the person to ask about rot repair and girot.

4)  I have used undercoating in the past for cars.  Is it worth the time to put it on the bottom of the camper on the OSB??  OSB + water = BAD so I am thinking undercoating would help.  Am I correct?

No, no undercoating -  SEE HERE

5)  This unit does not have a battery on it.  How hard it is to add one?  It had a seven pin plug, so I take it I just put it in line with the +12v and tie the GND to GND?

No, the battery does not tie to the 7 pin, it ties directly to the converter.  You should have a pir of wires (with a plug on the end) coming out of the A frame rail next to where the 7 pin cable enters.  This is your battery connection.  
SEE PHOTO

[horkyroj]

I want to thank you guys for your quick answers....  Looks like I am on the correct track!  The 12v wiring is still there so adding a battery should be a piece of cake.  As for the AC does anyone have a picture of what this support bar should look like?  Where do I get one of these?  Anyone have a link to purchase one on the net?

Tracy has covered this, but basically after the A/C is installed the wire runs across the roof and is coiled up in the corner.  When you want to use the A/C you uncoil the cord and plug it into the 20a circuit.

No, you are not crazy

Cutting it out is an option, or you can use a product like gitrot to repair.  Waverly is probably the person to ask about rot repair and girot.

No, no undercoating -  SEE HERE

No, the battery does not tie to the 7 pin, it ties directly to the converter.  You should have a pir of wires (with a plug on the end) coming out of the A frame rail next to where the 7 pin cable enters.  This is your battery connection.  
SEE PHOTO

[Tim5055]

As for the AC does anyone have a picture of what this support bar should look like?  Where do I get one of these?  Anyone have a link to purchase one on the net?

The support bar was the first "fix" Fleetwood came up with for sagging roofs.  It didn't solve the problem, but it couldn't hurt either.

It is a square white metal bar that goes side to side on the inside of the pop up roof.  When FFT began the ABS roof in 96 there was no support.  This bar was added to production sometime during the 98 model year, so you may already have it.  If not you may be out of luck.  I doubt if FFT would keep an odd item like that in stock for an "orphan" roof system.  If you don't have one you could call FFT customer support and see if there might be one around the factory somewhere.

Buying one on the net will be impossible.  FFT makes their dealers sign an agreement not to sell genuine Fleetwood parts on the web.  You can ony get FFT parts at a FFT dealer.

[horkyroj]

Thats not the answer I wanted!!!  I guess I will have to call their customer support...


Thanks,

The support bar was the first "fix" Fleetwood came up with for sagging roofs.  It didn't solve the problem, but it couldn't hurt either.

It is a square white metal bar that goes side to side on the inside of the pop up roof.  When FFT began the ABS roof in 96 there was no support.  This bar was added to production sometime during the 98 model year, so you may already have it.  If not you may be out of luck.  I doubt if FFT would keep an odd item like that in stock for an "orphan" roof system.  If you don't have one you could call FFT customer support and see if there might be one around the factory somewhere.

Buying one on the net will be impossible.  FFT makes their dealers sign an agreement not to sell genuine Fleetwood parts on the web.  You can ony get FFT parts at a FFT dealer.