Here's a funny story for you

[Russinator]

We bought our first PU the other day [2005 Niagara]. The day we picked it up and brought it home the dealer was great showing us how everything worked. It was sunny the day we brought it home but the next few days it rained - FYI: there's been lots of rain in SoCal this year. A few days later the rain ended so we moved the PU from the garage to the front yard to see if we remembered how to do everything that we were shown. It was then that we realized that the crank was under the dinette seat. Naturally, there was no way to get to it. I did have the keys so I opened everything that would open and I found one way to get inside the PU but I was too big for the opening [I'm 6'2 and 220 pounds - My wife's 5'3 and 120 pounds]. I didn't think she'd be able to fit, but, as usual, she proved me wrong. Here's how she did it: she climbed in the storage area directly behind the propane bottles, opened the cabinet door to the inside and was able to squeeze in through that very small opening. When I watched the way she squeezed through that opening [I still can't believe that she was able to fit her body through that opening] I was afraid she not be able to get to the crank handle and then not be able to get back out the opening she went in - again she proved me wrong.

[kirksvillecamper]

thats cool. have you ever locked you keys in your camper. i have and let me tell you it is a major pain trying to popup the camper with a pair of locking pliers

[Russinator]

Nope - I haven't locked my keys inside yet. I'll try to remember to put the 2nd set in the TV.

[dee106]

We bought our first PU the other day [2005 Niagara]. The day we picked it up and brought it home the dealer was great showing us how everything worked. It was sunny the day we brought it home but the next few days it rained - FYI: there's been lots of rain in SoCal this year. A few days later the rain ended so we moved the PU from the garage to the front yard to see if we remembered how to do everything that we were shown. It was then that we realized that the crank was under the dinette seat. Naturally, there was no way to get to it. I did have the keys so I opened everything that would open and I found one way to get inside the PU but I was too big for the opening [I'm 6'2 and 220 pounds - My wife's 5'3 and 120 pounds]. I didn't think she'd be able to fit, but, as usual, she proved me wrong. Here's how she did it: she climbed in the storage area directly behind the propane bottles, opened the cabinet door to the inside and was able to squeeze in through that very small opening. When I watched the way she squeezed through that opening [I still can't believe that she was able to fit her body through that opening] I was afraid she not be able to get to the crank handle and then not be able to get back out the opening she went in - again she proved me wrong.

 visit the popup times store and get the socket jenie, for your crank handle,  or should i say your drill! makes life a bit easier! this way you'll alway have a crank handle in your garage!

[Russinator]

Thanks for the suggestion. I went to the site store and placed an order for several items.

[copcarguy]

If you ever do lose your keys to your Coleman and/or Fleetwood camper, just take a stroll around the campground and look for another one. Then kindly ask those campers if you can borrow their keys.  They're all the same key.  I had this happen once, we went out for the day and I "locked" the camper by closing the access door while popped up.  We were camping about an hour from home, stopped at home, and I left the camper keys there.  DUH!  If you ever leave your keys in the camper just undo the velcro and climb in.

[tlhdoc]

They're all the same key.

Actually there are two different keys.  Older trailers have one key and newer trailers have another.  I forget what year the keys changed, I think it was in the late 80s or early 90s.  My first PU a 1986 had the old key and my 1999 has the newer key.

[Gone-Camping]

I used to keep the crank handle inside that useless little storage box underneath the stepper door, wasn't good for much of anything else!

[Russinator]

We're new to PU camping and have a lot to learn about these units. As soon as the rain ends in SoCal we'll put the PU to use. Thanks to everyone who took the time to clue us in on several things. Example: I had no idea that I could have opened the four locks and lift the top [by hand] enough to open the door - great tip.

[campingeyedoc]

I used to keep the crank handle inside that useless little storage box underneath the stepper door, wasn't good for much of anything else!

I also used to keep my crank in the little storage box until the door popped off while we were towing home on our last trip. Now it is REALLY useless!

[slowpez]

I also used to keep my crank in the little storage box until the door popped off while we were towing home on our last trip. Now it is REALLY useless!

Same here.  The crank that we stored in that little box is long gone.  Turned out, the locking mechanism was installed upside down.  Door stays locked now but am not comfortable enough to keep anything in there any more.
 
I am curious though, how the heck did you pop down with the crank handle under the dinette seat?

[Russinator]

I am curious though, how the heck did you pop down with the crank handle under the dinette seat ................... I'm sorry, as usual I did a poor job with my story. Before bring our new PU home we were given a demo at the RV dealership. The person putting on the demo used his crank handle [not ours], ours was under the dinette seat. When his demo was complete he lowered the PU, using his crank handle - leaving ours under the seat. Then he walked away, taking his crank handle with him.

[Dee4j]

Actually there are two different keys.  Older trailers have one key and newer trailers have another.  I forget what year the keys changed, I think it was in the late 80s or early 90s.  My first PU a 1986 had the old key and my 1999 has the newer key.

There may be Three?? I just had the stepper door replaced and when I picked it up they assured me I didn't need new keys cause they're all the same and of course I forgot my keys at home . well when I got home my keys didn't work. They mailed me a new one. it will opens the door to the toilet but not the side door to the front storage truck.  Who knows.. :eyecrazy: