RE: Stowing Shepherd s Poles

[Wayfarer]

 
Since I?ve had my Utah, about 8 months now, I?ve followed the Owner?s Manual and stored the bed bow supports (shepherd?s poles) under the mattresses.  Not a good idea![/b]  Recently, while cleaning the PU we checked under the mattress to see how things looked.  Found several ?scratches? and two or three significant tears (rips) in the vinyl undercoating of the mattresses.  I patched the holes with duct tape and am now storing the poles on top of the mattresses.  
 
 QUESTION:  Where do you store your shepherd?s poles when you fold down your PU?
 

[whippetwrun]

 Wayfarer
Under the mattresses.  I just lift up the mattresses enough to slide the poles under and also lift the mattresses up high enough to get the poles out .  Although now, I am gonna have to check the mattresses after reading your post![][]

[luvourjayco]

 Wayfarer
We actually have canvas bags affixed to the plywood under the matress that the poles slide into.
 After trying to cheat in the rain one time and putting a small tear in one we now always use the bags.

[Bearnkat]

 Wayfarer
Hi All,
 
 We just leave ours on top of the bed. Terry was concerned that they may rip the mattress if stored underneath. We ve never had a problem since we ve been doing that.
 
 C & T

[tlhdoc]

 Wayfarer
We have kept ours under the mattress in both PUs.  We have never had a problem, but I will double check the bottom of the mattresses.  I lift the mattress before we put the poles under.

[Tim5055]

 Wayfarer
We also lift the matress and place it underneith.  When I get teh Santa Fe out of the garage I ll have to take a look at it.

[Red neff Barchetta]

 Wayfarer
We also store them under the mattresses so far without harm, but now I will probably lift the mattresses even higher, lol.

[Tentcamp]

 Wayfarer
We store ours on top of the folded down table. []

[Trlrboy]

 Wayfarer
We keep ours on top of the mattress.  Never could understand the point of putting it underneath.

[Bearnkat]

 Trlrboy
Hi Bob,
 
 Terry and I never could figure out why Coleman recommended that the poles go underneath the mattresses. We both figured why go through the extra steps? They re not in the way and they are readily available when its time to set up.
 
 I m also going to email you about the shelves you built for your Santa Fe. Terry and I had ours out yesterday measuring. I showed her pictures of the shelves and she liked the idea.
 
 I ll send you an email separately with our questions.
 
 Thanks,
 
 Chuck

[Jeffrey]

 Wayfarer
If they are sharp enough to damage the bottom of the mattress.
 Wouldn t they also be sharp enough to damage your tenting if you leave them on top? (When your tucking in or pushing the beds in.)
 
 Given the choice I d rather have damage on the bottom of the mattress than the tenting.
 
 I think a bag of some kind would be the best idea.

[Turn Key]

 Wayfarer
Under the mattress.  Have never had a problem.  Really can t understand what could have happened to you.

[bikolee]

 Wayfarer
Under the mattress s also. No problems here. I agree with Jeffrey. Would rather the bottom of the mattress get a little dinged up than the tenting.

[Papaso]

 Wayfarer
We keep ours under the mattress with no problems, a little mod I did to the poles was to mark them with a sharpee to show where the locking button is and where the tension needs to be, just put an arrow showing where the button is and a line at the hole. This makes it easy at POP UP Time and you could always fine tune, although after marking them I have yet to readjust.
 HAPPY CAMPING

[Opie431]

 Wayfarer
Our 1999 Starcraft came with bags that fit on the ends of the poles.  You can make them out of heavy upholstery fabric.