Trail Cruiser Bunk End Snaps

[GeneF]

Dw and I looked at a 03 Trailcruiser C-21B today.  We both liked the floorplan very much.  First one we both agreed on that we liked out of a few dozen.  

In fact, we were about ready to buy it if the saleman would have come down a bit more and didn't have so much trouble with the bunk ends.

My question is about the bunk end snaps.  How difficult are they to use?

We noticed on a couple of the TrailCruisers that the snaps did not seem to line up and seemed hard to snap together when we were trying to set the bunk up ourselves.

Saleman suggested that the snaps be done before the crook is put in the tenting.

We also noticed that they seemed very hard to pull when removing the canvas.  In fact, I think I broke one or it was already broken.

Also, just how difficult is it to stuff the mattress in there?  Is it something that just takes practice or something that it is a chore.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[Gone-Camping]

I replied and "them some" in the emails about the snaps, but for the benefit of anyone else tuning in, the snaps seem hard at first, but I believe the canvas stretches. I struggled a little at first, but they pop right on there now!
 
One thing you didn't ask me in the email, was about stuffing the mattress and canvas inside when closing. This hasn't been a problem at all with mine. All I have to do is make sure it's all in there and not pinch the canvas. My only complaint in this department is the slanted front of the trailer.... when the bunk is closed and the canvas & mattress are bulging into the interior compartment of the trailer, it makes the forward bench seat on the dinette close to un-usable. However, we don't eat in there on the road, and can we can live with that!
 
Overall, they are well engineered units. Note, for 2004 the Trail Lite Bantam's have gone back to their 7'3" width while the Trail Cruiser stays an 8' wide unit.

[GeneF]

I appreciated your email replies they gave me a lot of information.

Your post here about the mattress also answered another question I had.

We noticed that when we had the bunk end up, the mattress was overhanging the  dinette area by about 6 to 8 inches.  The area could still be used as a bed in a pinch.

Our thought was that we could use the dinette area for sleeping if we were just doing an overnight and not bother to set the whole camper up.

[chasd60]

If these are regular snaps you guys have got to try the "Snapstick" in the PUT store. I have a tonneau cover on my truck and this makes all of the difference in the world. I have sent several other people (boat owners) to the PUT store and they purchased the Snapstick also. They were quite amazed with theproduct as well.

[campingboaters]

We easily snap our snaps before putting in the shepard's poll and un-snapping has not been a problem.  

As for the mattress, the thing we do is roll the canvas to be laid at the bottom on the "shelf" area below the folded mattress.  This helps cut down on the intrusion the mattress makes into our dinette.
Hope this helps and if you have ANY other questions, I'd be happy to help!

[PopUpTrio]

GeneF:  I used to converse with you frequently on chat as LA...we bought a 2003 TrailCruiser C23 the first of this year and we think it is wonderful.  It takes a little practice to get the tenting rolled just right so that it doesn't interfere with the u-dinette on our unit, but after 3 or 4 times we had it mastered.  It does hang over the "head area" on the end of the u-dinette but I am 5'3" and I can sit there without it being a problem.  It does this because that side of the camper is sloped.  The sides of the dinette are still comfy for my DH who is 6'2".  He does not work on Fridays, so many times, he takes the camper out and sets it up by himself.  It is very easy to do and much less time than the popup was.  The ends are not heavy.  We are very happy with our hybrid and camp twice the amount we did before.

[SheBantam]

Genef, the Bantam has a similar bunk end. At the dealer this year, the man who was checking the electic/battery told me to put vaseline on the snaps, I kept some in the camper for other things.

I have a rythm in poping down and folding up. And I ahve been doing this for two full seasons now.

Like Natacha, I put in the shepherd's crook AFTER I have the snaps snaped, partly because of the arthritis in my fingers. The snaps snap in a whole lot better. And if you do not have the fabric on the corners right, that can cause snapping problems.

Folding up, the front bunk, I sandwich the u-shaped bar in the fold of the matress and snap the end snaps (on the matress to the bunk end) and thread the side snap through the bar ans snap it down. then I "V" fold the canvas and pull it towards me. I proceed to roll it as tightly as I can and sit the roll on the shelf like thing, making sure that all the rubber gaskets are clear of any canvas. then I grab the door and walk it up with my hands. If I have done my job right there is pleasant thud where metal meets gasket and no pushing has to be done. On the other hand...if I hae not rooled right or have canvas on the gasket, the door will not close as easily.

The back is a little different, and I find a little harder. The u-bar goes under the matress and the canvas is a smaller and i cannot usually get as tight.

[Wayfarer]

SheBantam
 
 Excellent ideas on folding up bunks.  Never seemed to be able to get everything crammed in just right on my Roo, but have not been into Hybrids as long as you.  Thanks for sharing your methods.
 
 [font="Signature"]Chuck[/font][/size][/i]

[SheBantam]

SheBantam
 
 Excellent ideas on folding up bunks.  Never seemed to be able to get everything crammed in just right on my Roo, but have not been into Hybrids as long as you.  Thanks for sharing your methods.

Chuck, it took a lot of trial and error as the walk through was not in ideal (windy) weather and they had it hooked to the truck already (left the truck for them to put on the classIII hitch), so they did not show me how to put it back together.  If you come to Gettys burg for the IHCA rally in June, I'd be glad to give classes :p