Just found the site after picking up our first pop up Saturday. The wife and I started doing some camping again (tent) and really enjoyed it. We decided to go for the Pop Up to have a little more comfort. Long story short and after looking at pop up local here for about 2 weeks, we ran into what I thought was a screaming deal. We bought a 2001 Viking 2480ST with a 1 year old dealer installed AC unit. The camper is absolutely mint in and out and this guy had it PACKED with extras like a coffee pot, toaster, micro wave, dishes, utensils, first aid kit, 2 fire extinguishers, 3 spares, brand new tires, brand new porta pottie, and shower stall, hoses, electric cords, adapters, water regulator, tiki lights, storage bins, drawer organizer and even a rake...lol There is so much I don't even know whats in it. I do know the screen room and stove are both new and never even used. The front storage is packed and so is the storage in the camper. Got home late last night with it. Going out now to set it back up and start checking it out. The guy was super cool and went over every single thing on it. We were there almost 5 hours. We had one more we really wanted to look at but there was no way I could pass up this deal. They came down $700 and I just could not pass up the deal. He even threw in a like new breathable cover that he kept on it even though it was in his garage. I think after everything we looked at this was a smoking deal.
So we have a trip planned for a week from this Wednesday. All out tent friends will not have a clue until we pull up...lol. This is one time I KNOW I will get all kinds of grief and I cant wait for it...lol
So I know Viking is under the coachman name now. Anything I need to know or should watch for? Any pointers tips etc on pop ups would be great. I know this guy just completely disassembled the lift system and greased it. Seems like it operated like butter. He seemed like the kind of guy that was overkill. The 2 tires on it are brand new...no miles and the 2 he took off looked great? So he just liked things right I guess. They pulled it to KY from IL a not so maybe that's why.
Anyhow, glad I found the site and I'm gonna browse around for a while...I'm sure there is a lot of good info on here...
I do have a few questions after having time to go over it. I spend all day yesterday cleaning it up and going over everything in it.
Overall I'm really please with the unit and everything seems to work really well.
So here are a couple questions if anyone can reply. When I set the camper level (I put a level both directions on the floor) I notice the roof tends to lean a little towards the door side of the trailer. I noticed I can sway the roof back and forth a few inches, and I assume this is somewhat normal? Is there a way to adjust this so the roof don't lean to one side? I'm thinking maybe one side lifts a bit higher than the other throwing it off center? It's not really effecting anything too much. The door seems to close ok, but I notice it gets a tad stiff when you close it about halfway then frees up at the closing position. I can see the canvas wall on that side leaning out a bit. Is this common? How much slop should be in the roof of the camper when it is up?
Also overall the canvas is in really good shape. There is some dirt from peoples hands as they touch it getting out on the inside right at the door. The inside is almost like a felt feeling material and it seems like it would soak in whatever I may use to clean it. I was afraid to try to clean it with anything until I asked around. The outside is like regular canvas so no big deal. What do I use on the inside where is seems like it will absorb what I would put on there?
It's been decades since we had a P'Up, but I want to tell you that your new one looks to be a beauty! Congratulations. You will more than enjoy sleeping in it, and wish you had moved up from tent camping years ago......yeah, laugh back at your friends.....you are just ahead of the curve. I camped plenty in tents, and the only time I would recommend them, is if you are hiking, and even then, I think I'd rather drive the RV up close, and do a day hike
One of the things you mentioned, which I feel I can comment on, is the tires. As you read this forum, you find that most tires are good for about 7-8 years...no matter how good the tread looks, or how few miles are on them. Yes, with a P'up and the lighter weights, it may not be as critical as on a MH or a TT, but it's still something to consider. If you check the age date on the spare tires, you will probably find that they are getting close to their limits, which is why the previous owner replaced them. I would still keep them as spares, but not for an extended time in use on the trailer.
It sounds as if the previous owner was very attentive to this trailer, and the condition (as seen in the pictures) verifies that.
You did get a steal, and we hope you have lots of wonderful experiences with it.
Oh, and next week, when you are camping with your buddies....take note of how many of them are inside your camper....as compared to how many go hang out inside the tents I think that will be very telling
Oh, to post your photos, you can just click on that "postcard" ("image")looking thing on the advanced post section. Keep the size (width) at 500 or less, and the height will auto-adjust. These were posted at "400" wide.
* This post was
edited 07/02/12 12:11pm by PapPappy *
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293 The Pets
Practice setting up and taking down the unit. Plus backing up the unit.
Repack wheel bearings annually, Depending upon usage.
Take only what you need, and keep a wish list for those must have items.
When we had a pop up, we sometimes pushed the unit by hand into it's spot, a few people standing on the rear bumper helps taking the weight off the front wheel.
When hooking up your unit, try lifting the trailers tung off your TV, as sometimes it might not be properly connected. I know.
NEVER, NEVER, store your unit with WET canvas. It will cost you $$$ to replace. Always store the unit when it is completely dry.
Have Fun.
Sounds just about perfect (perfect would be "free").
On the roof leaning a bit, this is normal but needs to be corrected. A common cause is forgetting to undo all of the roof latches before cranking up the roof. This will stretch or pull that cable out a little bit. Or, they simply stretch differently from each other.
Hopefully, you have the original manuals and depending on your specific documentation, it may have information on adjusting the lifter cables. My Jayco did not, but my Fleetwood does. There aren't just a lot of companies producing PUP lift systems, so with some research, you can narrow down maybe who made it and go straight to them for documentation. It's not going to hurt a whole lot, but it is putting some tweaking on the roof joints and seams, being out of alignment. If you have a table with three legs that are one length and the fourth is shorter, it is a matter of time before joints become weakened. It may never happen during your ownership, but something I am going to have to do with my current unit myself. I just need to quit the kitchen remodel to get back to the important things, like leveling the PUP's roof!
As for cleaning the canvas, there are lots of products to use. I don't the exact material used in your "canvas", as it may be natural or synthetic, but I use good ole "RV Awning Cleaner" from a big box store and haven't had a problem. It gets most stuff off. I use a telescoping brush that the garden hose attaches to the handle so I can reach up to the top of the canvas from a small step ladder, and can rinse it off right there without ever having to change what's in my hands. I just rotate the water supply in the brush to on/off depending.
For tough stains, I have had good luck with Simple Green. It has not damaged anything on the PUP (and other things as well) yet. I would recommend a good overspray of waterproofing after a good cleaning, as who knows how long it's been. The Simple Green will cut through most water-proofing coatings anyway, so either treat the area or the whole canvas after that. People and some manufacturers recommend/require 303 Protectant be applied to restore water repellancy.
You really need to set up and spend a night in Camp Driveway before you hit the road this weekend. It sounds like you went through all of the systems, but do it at home again, so that your tenting buddies don't see you doing "Ok, I know this goes somewhere, but can't remember" kind of things.
It really sounds like you made a haul with the support goodies! I got a few bits and pieces with my first unit, but WOW. Enjoy and have fun.
One of the cautions I would send your way is to stay away from any threads dealing with mods and modifications. That can become an obsession. And expensive.
Hey thanks for all the replies already guys. Much appreciated!
I know there is paperwork on the lift system. Not sure if I mentioned it but I know the previous owner took the whole thing apart to grease it. He said it was a decent size job but it went well and the system seems really smooth. in fact I just grabbed the paperwork and he had some diagrams downloaded from Goshen Stamping Company? I think that's who may make the lift system for a lot of these pop ups from what I see? I guess one thing I can look for is just after it starts to lift see is the gap is larger on one side than the other? Or see if one side starts to lift before the other. never paid attention but this was only the first time I set it up. Set up is really pretty easy. It took me 45 minutes to where I would be cracking a beer open. (not hanging any lights but everything else done) so not too bad for the first time. Like I said the guy was really cool and took a lot of time showing me everything. Most of it's pretty straight forward.
I would like to get this roof aligned. Cant be rocket science!
And yes...I know I will get all kinds of grief when we pull up but I KNOW they will be all hanging out in it! LOL...It's fun to be in. Wife and I had dinner in it last night since I was still out there messing around with it....lol
Oh, to post your photos, you can just click on that "postcard" ("image")looking thing on the advanced post section. Keep the size (width) at 500 or less, and the height will auto-adjust. These were posted at "400" wide.
Thanks PapPappy! I was wondering how to post pics. Have not seen a forum like this before.
I have had some experience with cables and the lifting mechanism on my Starcraft and my SIL's Jayco. Your roof will sway a bit but when the bed ends are out and all connected this should be very minor.
Set your trailer up and then go around and measure the 4 corners. They should all be the same, that is, the distance from the top along the 4 posts down to the top rail of the trailer should be equal or very nearly so. Every trailer has a device where the 4 corner cables connect to the single cable that is attached to the winch. In my older Starcraft this was located outside under the trailer. My SIL's was behind a partition on the inside of the trailer. There are 4 adjusting nuts, one for each cable, and all you have to do is to adjust the corner that is low. Of course if one of the cables is stretched, adjusting might be a bit of a problem but I think you should be able to level this one since it is so new.
Best wishes, and good luck. We had our tent trailer for 17 years, took it everywhere and watched our two daughters grow, move away and then marry. It was the best investment we ever made. Oh, and I second the advice about never storing it wet. Keep the canvas dry and clean and it will last for a long, long time.
2008 Toyota Tundra, Double Cab, 5.7L V8
2006 Airstream 25 FB SE
Equalizer Hitch
Prodigy Controler
Indeed, Goshen Stamping made lift systems, so you're on the right track there. I went looking at their site sort of recently and recall someone else saying that they don't support older lift systems (anymore??) so good luck. Hopefully, someone had access to it and has posted it somewhere on the Internet. Part of my enjoyment is the hunt for the fix as much as the tweaking.
And now that the manufacturer of my unit is out of business, I and folks in similar situation will have to be resourceful even more.
I have had some experience with cables and the lifting mechanism on my Starcraft and my SIL's Jayco. Your roof will sway a bit but when the bed ends are out and all connected this should be very minor.
Set your trailer up and then go around and measure the 4 corners. They should all be the same, that is, the distance from the top along the 4 posts down to the top rail of the trailer should be equal or very nearly so. Every trailer has a device where the 4 corner cables connect to the single cable that is attached to the winch. In my older Starcraft this was located outside under the trailer. My SIL's was behind a partition on the inside of the trailer. There are 4 adjusting nuts, one for each cable, and all you have to do is to adjust the corner that is low. Of course if one of the cables is stretched, adjusting might be a bit of a problem but I think you should be able to level this one since it is so new.
Best wishes, and good luck. We had our tent trailer for 17 years, took it everywhere and watched our two daughters grow, move away and then marry. It was the best investment we ever made. Oh, and I second the advice about never storing it wet. Keep the canvas dry and clean and it will last for a long, long time.
Thanks Aftermath. I'll check that out. So how much sway should it have? This one seems to sway a lot. maybe 3 to 5" side to side? Is it possible I have something wrong in the set up? or could he have put something back together wrong?
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I think that will be very telling
