First pop up camper

[fireman24]

hi, I have just purchased my first camper. Its a 1998 palomino colt, and in great shape. Older couple owned it before and used it a dozen or so times. It was kept inside and really looks brand new. My questions are as follows. Do I seal the seams in the roof? Where are some common problem spots that I should be aware of? Where can I get bedding for the camper? What would be the best way to maintain the camper. Any advice from the camping community would be great. Thanks!

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT and congratulations on the new PU!

Yes the roof seam needs to be resealed periodically.  I use standard bedding in my PU, but there are special RV sheets out there.  I get sheets with the large pockets and that have elastic all the way around the edges.  I pull the sheets over the corners so that the elastic is pulling the sheeting under the mattress.  As for routine maintenance I would repack the wheel bearings and adjust the brakes (or have someone do it for me).  Sanitize the water system if you are going to be using it.  Lube the lift system according to the owners manual, make sure everything is clean and well fitting.  Reading your owners manual will give you a lot of information that will help you with your camper.  Good luck with your new question.

[fireman24]

Thanks for the info. What would you recommend to clean the water tank, or what do you use in your camper? Again thanks.

[AustinBoston]

Thanks for the info. What would you recommend to clean the water tank, or what do you use in your camper? Again thanks.

What I do is use about 1/4 cup of clorine bleach for a 20 gallon tank.  Put some water in the tank, add the bleach,  and finish filling the tank.  Make sure you run some of the solution through each line (turn on each faucet until you smell bleach).  It's best to swish it around (tow down a bumpy road), but at a minimum leave it in place for at least ten full minutes.

Completely drain and rinse the whole system twice.  In the final rinse, a little lemon juice (maybe 2 tablespoons) should  neutralize any remaining chlorine and get rid of the chlorine taste and smell.  If it doesn't, rinse again with two more tablespoons of lemon juice.  Some use vinegar, but I find lemon juice to be more paletable.

You need to do this at the start of each season, and any time the water system has sat unused for a month or more.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

In my Coleman/Fleetwood manual they say to put 1/4 cup of regular chlorine bleach (not the concentrated or perfumed) into one gallon of fresh water.  Pour that into the freshwater holding tank and then fill the tank with fresh water.  Pump the bleach water through out the camper's water lines, including the water heater if you have one.  Let this bleach water sit for at least one hour.  If you leave it sit overnight or longer you will end up with a bleach smell in the water lines.  If you only let it sit for an hour or two there will not be much oder in the water lines.  Drain as much of the bleach water out of the water lines and tank, then flush with fresh water.  Your water system is now clean and ready to use.