looking for a popup to fit

[austinado16]

Sounds like you're having fun.

Just make sure this '99 has been put back together correctly. Seems like it's had a whole lot of water damage!  There are tons of nice PUP's out there to take you're time.......unless of course, this one is really calling to you!

Sometimes it's fun to play the game: "Am I the last [insert adjective here] who's going to buy this?  If I am, is it really worth what I'm about to pay since I'll be keeping it for a long time?  Will I be putting in so much money and labor that I could have bought an even better model and at least have something worth something when it's all said and done?"

[ScouterMom]

JT - I'm a pretty good seamstress, but even I wouldn't try to replace a canvas full of holes on my own - that's a job for a pro.  A few patches, ok - but swiss cheese

Lift systems, especially the old Starcraft ones, are very simple. I'd have to admit that I didn't even get that greasy or dirty replacing mine - even with crawling under the camper and taking out and cleaning and greasing every single piece!  

did you get a rock 'well' or a rock 'wood'? I've heard of rockwood and fleetwood, but not rockwell.

Still, the major differences in lift systems is how they crank the main cable/ winch - whether it is a cable, chain, or 'whiffle tree' (a threaded
bar) and where that crank is located. beyond that, they are all pretty much the same in the way they lift the 4 corners of the roof.  


In the case of the one you passed on where the roof can not be lifted under it's own system AT ALL (sounds like mine was when I bought it, except for the mouse damage - I had no mouse holes)  
you can:
1) get 3 buddies and 4 2X4's and all 4 lift at once and lash the 2X4's in place to hold up the roof until you repair the cable (probably the best method)
2) go to a garage that has an auto lift, insert the forks into the doorway and lift the roof (this is what they guy who sold mine to me did for his e-bay photos)
3) rig a pulley system to your rafters in the garage and run rope under the rim of the roof and lift it that way.

Whatever you do, if you hit any resistance, stop, figure out where it's coming from and DON'T FORCE anything!  you may have to cut cable to get the top up - but you don't want to force anything and possibly bend pulleys, or bind telescoping poles, etc. THose would be more difficult to match and replace!

Laura

[J.T.BOND]

I've decided to sell the Rockwell for what I paid for it, even after a new winch for the front. It's just to big for my wifes Nissan 4 banger, bent the bumper while  just pulling it home, can you imagine what it would be like trying to pull it over Monarch Pass? at 11,000 feet?  It aiiin't happenin.lol
 I'm in the process of building a Teardop camper for us to use instead. This one will be a learning job, the next one will be better  I think. Thanks for all of your advise folks.

[campfireguy]

I've been looking into  buying a popup but don't know if I'm looking for the right thing.Most of the ones I've been able to look at are by Jayco  but I don't know if I really need one that big.  I'm a retired fire fighter and it's just the better half and I plus our two small dogs.It seems most al the ones I've seen are pretty big to be pulled by a Nissan fronteer and I was wondering if anyone might know of anything smaller than the " sleeps 4/6" types. I'm hoping to find an older one in pretty good shape to pull to Boise this summer. Maybe later on we can use it for camping out( if we get the time) The little tear drop types would be TO small for us to use.lol Unless I'm mistaken i think I've seen a popup that only has one slide out, is that true ?  
     I've enjoyed reading the posts in the forum they've given me a lot of help in asking questions when I call someone about one.
    The ideas you folks come up wth are amazing to say the least. It's almost like I belong here.
   Seeing as this is my first post in the forum I'm hoping you'll overlook my mistakes, and help an old man with this  problem.lol

i'm a fan of the palomino. they have smaller ones called the pony. this isn't a link so if you have a pen....//www.palominorv.com

[McCampers]

Dude stick with an old Coleman.  You can find them for next to nothing in your own neighborhood.  Just look for a moss growing lump in peoples back yards.  they are everywhere!  I'm sure you notice popups now more than you ever did.  You'll find what you're looking for.  DOn't be shy about stopping at peoples homes and asking what they would take for that old camper in the back yard.  MOst people who don't use them are willing to part with them for very little or nothing at all.  I've heard on several occaisions "just get it out of my yard"  Alot of people buy a camper when they have kids and use it for a couple years and then it sits there killing their grass.  You'll be surprised.  Just cruise the neighbor hoods of any decent sized town.  You'll see tons of them and they'll be cheaper than you expect.

[prncssgeek]

I totally agree with McCampers, go back to the old Coleman! I can tell you from experience, the hardest thing about fixing an old Coleman is gutting it! Those rusted screws are a pain!

And yes, once you own a pup, you notice them all the time. We have owned this house for 7 years. Know most of our neighbors, never noticed that the junk collector 3 doors down had a pup in their front yard until we got this one. Then the DD an I started counting from the main road to our subdivision how many pups, tts, or full sized RV's there were. Out of about 50 houses (in a 3 mile drive) there are 32 of them. The only two that I can truly remember seeing -- the two huge Winnebago's.

[Old Starcraft]

How about the Coleman that you can get from your aunt? If the damage is limited to mice holes, and lift system, you can get replacement canvas for under 1K.  I'm not sure about the price on cables for a Coleman, but factory cables for my 76' StarCraft were about $120, including shipping.

If you don't want to go that route McCampers has a good suggestion (I think I'll try this one next time I'm in the market) and make offers to neighbors that have them but don't use them.

Here's one source for canvas. This site also has lift system diagrams to reference.

http://www.rvworkshop.com/pop_up_camper_parts.html

Good luck on your endeavor. When I was looking last year I saw several that appeared OK on the surface, but I had a bad "gut feeling" there was more wrong with it than meets the eye. I ended up with one that I sold because after I started tearing it down had some major structure problems :yikes:  . Odly enough I bought another of the same make and year.It needed a bit of work, but it was something my friend, Emanual Labor, and I could handle.

[McCampers]

Is your friend Emanual Labor any kin to Jose or josb (pro-nounced hose A and hose B)?  He seems to live near me too.  Especially in the summer months.

[prncssgeek]

Is your friend Emanual Labor any kin to Jose or josb (pro-nounced hose A and hose B)?  He seems to live near me too.  Especially in the summer months.

Wow! You guys know my cousin Emanual Labor, he sure gets around! McCampers you must live close to me because Jose and Josb spend time at my house too!