Another newbie with Questions

[KimB]

Hi,

We recently purchased our first pup - 2002 Colman Santa Fe.  It is in great shape.  Previous owners used this camper very little.  The plastic is still on one of the bunkend mattresses.  Dh and I have been learning how to use everything as this is all new to us.  So far the backing up and hitching the pup to the tv has been most difficult.  Anyone have any tips to make this easier?  I know, practice, practice, practice!

I have cleaned up the canvas with Woolite (worked well).  The vinyl top on the bunkends has some sap on it that the previous owners negleted to clean off.  Does anyone know if the 303 products will clean off the sap?  We have a couple of products for our cars that clean off sap but I wonder if they are safe for vinyl.

I would also like to say thank you for all the advice and info everyone so readily shares here!  Dh and I have learned a lot.

Thanks,
Kim

[austinado16]

Hi Kim and welcome!

Regarding the backup.  The person doing the driving should learn to memorize what the view of the popup (PUP) camper looks like in the side rear view mirrors when it is hooked up to the tow vehicle (TV).  In otherwords, is there a portion of the PUP that sticks out a certain place in relation to the TV, when viewed in the mirror, etc.

Then, as the driver backs toward the PUP, they can spot themselves left to right pretty good by centering the view of the PUP in the side view mirrors.  Does that sort of make sense?

The spotter needs to stand off to the side so they are viewable in the driver's side mirror and make sure their hands are also viewable in the mirror.  The spotter can then use one hand to point in the direct that the ball needs to move, and then once the TV is close, the distance.

You guys will find the rythm, hang in there.

[CajunCamper]

I have a 1997 Coleman Santa Fe that we bought new. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we have enjoyed ours. Anyway here's my trick to backing up to the camper for hook up.

I take two stickers and place one dead center and near the bottom of the rear window of my SUV and place the other sticker dead center of the roof of my pop up high enough that I can see it from inside the vehicle.

When I back up I just try to keep those stickers lined up and I'm close enough everytime.

Good Luck

CajunCamper

[srds]

we have mark on tailgate and on top of pup-line them up and your in .good camping

[ScouterMom]

You can use 'Goo gone' to cut the sap off your camper vinyl with out any harm. Since Goo Gone is a citrus product, it won't hurt the canvas or vinyl, smells nice and can be found in most grocery and big box stores. just put it on the spot, let it sit a bit to dissove the 'sticky' and wash away.  It's great for glue and tape, too. If you have to use it on the canvas itself, it won't hurt the canvas - but you may have to re- waterproof that area.

For learning to back up and hitch up the camper, you can buy or make hitching rods -

Detailed Description  
Imagine this! Two rods, 4 feet long, with magnetic bases. Put one on the ball. Put one on the front of the trailer. Line them up in your rearview mirror as you back up. When you see the one on the ball move....STOP. Get out and drop the trailer on the hitch! Hitchin' RodsTM make that a reality. It's simple. The original Hitching Rods. It works. It's that easy.

Check out their photos - it makes sense!


http://www.rvupgradestore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1750

you could make them yourself with a couple of dowel rods, magnets and some hot glue, too.

Laura

[harleywolf]

For canvas care we use Woolite too, in fact when our dealer saw how clean our PUP was after I washed the canvas with Woolite they were so impressed they are now going to recommend it to their customers. We have a couple of sap spots too so I am glad you asked this question. I am going to look into what ScouterMom suggests.

I have read and been told that Scotch Guard spray is what you use on the canvas if you scrub off the waterproofing.

As for backing