Anyone know anything about pop-up campers?

shawn474

I recently bought a 1994 Dutchmen Pop-Up camper. Has A/C, heat, refrigerator, sink, 2 burner stove. I restored it by replacing a rotting roof, a rotted floor, recaulked it and cleaned it up nicely. It is fully functional, passed inspection and ready to go. It was a lot of work, but very worth it considering it I only spent $450 on it and only about another $350 on supplies to restore it myself.

There is only one problem: I have no idea how to use the gas on the camper. It has a plate on the tongue that will hold 2 tanks. I filled one up, attached the regulator to the tank and the nipple to supply the trailer. There are 2 hoses (one on the inside under the sink and one on the outside where the grill can be attached externally) with shut off valves. I have no idea how to use the refrigerator on propane (it says DC and LP on the face of the door) or the stove. If I were to turn the gas on at the front of the trailer, would it supply gas to all applainces or do you have to individually open valves, light pilots, etc? I am completely new to this aspect of camping, but an excited to get going.

The manual offers little to no help at all. So my questions are how do I use the heat, the stove and the refrigerator while hooked up to propane?

Thanks in advance. I can't wait until next weekend!

Shawn

Outfitter03

Gas is best left off and isolated for travel. Clean the lines out by using the stove burners to empty the gas lines. This is for safety and propane and trailers are a concern. So when you arrive, if you have pilots you will need to first light one of the stove burners to flush the air out of the empty lines and then light pilots.

Most camping stoves don't use pilots, but to be sure of yours you will need to look up the specific model. Even if it does have pilot you can always just light by hand. You did not mention an oven. These usually do have pilots and you need to light this when you arrive.

The furnace usually has electronic ignition. Should be an instructions on inside of cover door, if not you are back to on line. Furnaces usually require both gas and electricity. They are 12 volt systems and can run off house batteries if you have those, the car connection and usually there is a 12 volt power rectifier if your trailer is setup for hookups.

The refrigerator usually has electronic ignition also. Many have a three position switch, DC, Either or LP. Run DC when traveling and then when you are at your destination run the LP. As the refrigerators are very costly and are sensitive to things like leveling, it is worthwhile to find a manual.

I have one big other suggestion. Take a dry run overnight someplace close. Most places have rv parks and go spend a night and live out of your rig before heading off on a big trip. If you run into troubles don't hesitate to ask for help from the fellow RV ers. You will also learn what you didn't pack, buy or what doesn't work instead of utilizing your limited vacation dealing with these issues. Sailors call it sea trials or a shake down cruise. Well worth the effort.

stuwee

Outfitter03 wrote: »

I have one big other suggestion. Take a dry run overnight someplace close. Most places have rv parks and go spend a night and live out of your rig before heading off on a big trip. If you run into troubles don't hesitate to ask for help from the fellow RV ers. You will also learn what you didn't pack, buy or what doesn't work instead of utilizing your limited vacation dealing with these issues. Sailors call it sea trials or a shake down cruise. Well worth the effort.

Just what I was about to say, +1 great advice! Oh, and have fun!!

halo71

Don't know about the newer models. But I had one about 15 years ago. Tent on wheels! A piece of $hit, bad investment imho.

Systems

Colder than a somb$tch even with a heater!
But then again, Ozark mountain winters sux!

shawn474

Outfitter03 wrote: »

Gas is best left off and isolated for travel. Clean the lines out by using the stove burners to empty the gas lines. This is for safety and propane and trailers are a concern. So when you arrive, if you have pilots you will need to first light one of the stove burners to flush the air out of the empty lines and then light pilots.

Most camping stoves don't use pilots, but to be sure of yours you will need to look up the specific model. Even if it does have pilot you can always just light by hand. You did not mention an oven. These usually do have pilots and you need to light this when you arrive.

The furnace usually has electronic ignition. Should be an instructions on inside of cover door, if not you are back to on line. Furnaces usually require both gas and electricity. They are 12 volt systems and can run off house batteries if you have those, the car connection and usually there is a 12 volt power rectifier if your trailer is setup for hookups.

The refrigerator usually has electronic ignition also. Many have a three position switch, DC, Either or LP. Run DC when traveling and then when you are at your destination run the LP. As the refrigerators are very costly and are sensitive to things like leveling, it is worthwhile to find a manual.

I have one big other suggestion. Take a dry run overnight someplace close. Most places have rv parks and go spend a night and live out of your rig before heading off on a big trip. If you run into troubles don't hesitate to ask for help from the fellow RV ers. You will also learn what you didn't pack, buy or what doesn't work instead of utilizing your limited vacation dealing with these issues. Sailors call it sea trials or a shake down cruise. Well worth the effort.

Thanks very much for the great advice. The first dry run will be in our back yard. The second time we will go local to a site that is 20 minutes away and has activities for the kids.

stuwee wrote: »

Just what I was about to say, +1 great advice! Oh, and have fun!!

Thanks; we are very excited to spend the summer with the kids outdoors and doing things that we normally wouldn't be able to.

halo71 wrote: »

Don't know about the newer models. But I had one about 15 years ago. Tent on wheels! A piece of $hit, bad investment imho.

I didn't really buy it as an investment. I bought it because I wanted to fix it up. It kept me busy for a few weekends and I had fun doing it. Now the kids are ecstatic to get out and camp. It's all worth it to me if we can get some time together as a family to enjoy the outdoors.

txcoastal1

"I didn't really buy it as an investment. I bought it because I wanted to fix it up. It kept me busy for a few weekends and I had fun doing it. Now the kids are ecstatic to get out and camp. It's all worth it to me if we can get some time together as a family to enjoy the outdoors."

Thats what its all about...family....w/sturdier cover than a tent

ROHfan

Outfitter03 wrote: »

I have one big other suggestion. Take a dry run overnight someplace close. Most places have rv parks and go spend a night and live out of your rig before heading off on a big trip. If you run into troubles don't hesitate to ask for help from the fellow RV ers. You will also learn what you didn't pack, buy or what doesn't work instead of utilizing your limited vacation dealing with these issues. Sailors call it sea trials or a shake down cruise. Well worth the effort.

Suggestion of the year! When I camped with my popup we always went to a campsite that was only about a half hour from the house. After two or three trips we had the routine down and only had to leave camp for ice.

gdb

Youtube can be your friend, use it!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=camper+stove&aq=9&oq=camper+st

halo71

Shawn, sorry I didn't mean it as an investment like as in buying gold. I meant it as bad to put the money into it. Just my experience is all.

dorokusai

It's all fun and games until you wake up beside dorokusai.