RV Advice
Q&A Popups and OthersRV Advice
Q&A Popups and Others
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are questions and answers to RV Advice that are related to service on pop-ups,
slide-ins, and park models, horse trailers, boat trailers, and miscellaneous
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This page last updated on October 26, 2009 containing letters emailed to Pete from January 14th - September 19th.
Looking for a diagram of a lift system? This link to Goshen Stamping (a lift manufacturer) might have the diagram you're looking for on their web site.
Looking for maintenance tips or owner's manuals? Try this link to the Coleman web site.
Looking for instructions on operating, towing and using your popup? Visit our RV Store page.
Looking for state parks or campgrounds? Visit our RV Books page.
I have a '98 Coleman pop-up with a 12V power lift system. Where the switch connects broke and won't work. How can I get it to still work without replacing the whole thing?
Dear MTT,
That's a good question without me seeing it and knowing what broke.
Usually if a switch breaks, it needs to be replaced.
I just acquired a 2003 Coleman Bayside. The electric brakes need to be replaced. Where do I get replacement parts?
Also, the front cable appears to be broken and I've never worked on a Coleman so I don't know where to start. Could you assist me in this?
Dear Ernest,
Any trailer parts should be able to assist you with the brake parts.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions page for help with the cable information.
We have a 1998 Jayco 8 ft. trailer and the last few times we've ran it we have had problems with our fridge, it runs off propane but lately the pilot light seems to keep going off. Suggestions as to what it may be?
Dear Tami,
Clean the burner flu and ignitor and adjust the gap. You might want to have the LP pressure tested, and check your battery voltage.
I have a 1988 Coleman Williamsburg with a broken lift arm. I am using a board to hold up the corner now, the cable has broken off inside the metal arm that goes up. It's by the door corner.
How do I fix it or where can I get a new metal arm and cable?
Also how do I get mice smell out of a camper?
Dear Marie,
Check with Coleman parts.
First, take the arm off and inspect it, you might just need a new cable.
Air the popup out and use a good disinfectant and air freshener and hope the smell goes away.
My sister bought an early 1980's Coleman pop-up. It worked the first few times, but now it will not go down. The dealer here says to get several men to hold the top up and someone go under and cut cable. Then bring it to camper shop and they will repair for $500.00
She only paid $900 can cannot afford to fix it. Any suggestions on how we can help? Can a pulley kit be purchased?
Dear Pat,
Get some friends to help lift it up and support the top while someone can go inside and find out what happened and repair it. Cutting cables doesn't make a lot of sense.
I have a 2001 12 foot Coleman Utah hard top trailer. The pilot for the hot water furnace will not light. The hot water furnace has never been used over the years but my wife did try to light it last year and I tried this year. I did check the fuses and there was a 20 amp fuse blown which I did replace with a new one. I tried again to light the pilot but with no luck. Any suggestions?
Dear Lawrence,
First, have it tested to be sure you're getting LP to the water heater gas valve.
Clean the burner flu and pilot assembly.
I have a 1995 Coleman Avalon pop-up. When I went camping this weekend I busted a piece of the lift mechanism. The piece is a 1" galvanized pipe receiver that extends out of the rear of the camper. The stress of raising the roof caused a stress fracture in the pipe where the cotter pin was.On Saturday the fracture failed and the extending piece of pipe sheared off.
I am unsure of how to replace this piping. I see a 1" screw head, but I'm weary of fiddling with it.
What is the best way to replace this lift receiver pipe?
Dear Eric,
First, contact Coleman to see if you can get just the one piece or if you need to buy the whole assembly for that corner.
It might save you a lot of time if you know what you're replacing up front.
I have a question about our 1996 Skamper pop-up. On our last camping trip, my husband was cranking up the camper and had forgotten to lift up one of the fasteners on the side. After feeling some resistance, he realized what was wrong. Now the camper doesn't rise all the way in the back.
Any ideas what we can do to fix this?
Dear Becky,
First, find out what happened internally to the lift, then you can figure out what needs to be done to fix it.
My crank system failed yesterday. I have a 1995 Coleman(Fleetwood) popup and the holder (pipe) where the crank goes into (has a pin to permit cranking), split and the pin can't be held in, therefore I can't crank the top up.
I can buy the pipe part but it is made of a brittle material that will probably break again. Any suggestions?
I would open the enclosure, the crank mechanism, it has 4 nuts but I am concerned that these nuts may be holding some parts that I am not aware of and should not remove.
Dear Pete,
The crank lasted fourteen years, I don't think I would be worried about it being too brittle.
I have a 1994 Coleman Destiny Cedar MT, and over the years water has migrated and wicked up into the fiberboard ceiling. It is rotted all along the sides. Do you know if Coleman makes an entire new roof as a unit?
Dear Darryl,
They have in the past but with the changes in the industry today you might want to contact Coleman's customer service and see if anything is available.
My husband and I just recently purchased a 1996 Coleman Niagara pop-up camper. When he tried to lift the top again he forgot to unlock a latch on the back of the camper and it came loose. What can we do?
Dear Amy,
A person would have to see just what was pulled loose to see what you need to repair it.
Tree fell on our just bought (used) Coleman 1999 Bayside popup. Cracked top, ac is fine, but leaked inside. I think I can take care of mold but top is ruined. No insurance.
Dear Jan,
Contact Coleman for a new top or try rebuilding yourself.
On our last camping trip, while putting up our 1996 Skamper pop-up, my husband forgot to lift on of the clasps on the side of the camper and started to crank up the camper. After a little resistance, he realized what he had done. Now, when the camper is cranked all the way up, the back of the camper (where the clasp was) doesn't want to lift all the way. Any ideas on how we can fix this?
Dear Becky,
First look and see what happened, if everything is in place and not pulled loose, tighten up the cable.
I just purchased a 1995 Flagstaff, model 620 pop up. The sticker with the VIN is so deteriorated that I can't read it.
I was under the impression that the VIN is stamped on the frame somewhere. If this is true, could you tell me where it is located?
Dear Bill,
I don't believe that is true but you could look on the tongue near the coupler or along the frame channel by the axle.
My 1989 Jayco has been a great camper. This year, after you pop it up, the passenger side (trailering), rear corner post system won't drop down easily. I have to hang on to it while someone else cranks the handle. The roof comes down crooked and that corner moves a little. Then we crank it straight but not up all the way then down again. Each time the corner drops a little more. What can I do to fix this? What is wrong?
Dear Chris,
Open it up and see what's wrong, it might just need to have the props cleaned up and lubricated; there could be trash in the channels not allowing it to slide freely and binding up.
We just bought a 1985 Viking pop up and both the front poles that lift the roof won't go up. What's wrong, and how do we fix it?
Dear Valerie,
Get some help to lift the top and support it so you can get inside and see if the arm is bent or cable busted or pulled loose.
I have a 1988 Jayco pop up and pretty sure I need to fix the lift cables. How in the world do I get to the cables?
Dear Brett,
Raise and support the top so you can get inside and remove the panels for access.
I have a 2003 Fleetwood Tucson with a broken cable on the left front side.
In reference to an earlier post:
“September 2, 2008 Trish of Mountain Park, Oklahoma writes regarding broken lift cable in 1995 Viking”
You replied that a cable could be purchased at: Home Depot, Lowes or an Ace Hardware. Is there a specific type of cable (ready made), or is it bulk cable (that they will cut), that needs some crimps for attaching?
Also, is it galvanized cable that I need to get?
Dear Melissa,
Bulk cable usually you can reuse your old cable clamps, if not, you can get those at Home Depot or any hardware store also.
I just recently bought a 1985 Rockwood camper. It won't lift up any suggesting on how to get it up. It was working when we bought it. Do you know where we can get an owners manual for it?
Dear Gene,
Liz can sell you a popup VHS video with instructions. $15.00 (half price) plus shipping.
1995 Dutchman pop up tent trailer, broken lift cable near crank. Can't seem to get to the cable in the middle (it's covered by a tube), to see how to rewire it.
Should I prop up the roof (with 2x4's maybe)?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, going through camping withdrawals.
Dear Niczee,
Yes, you have the right idea. Prop it up so you can get in and rip it apart for access to the cables.
I have a '93 Jayco pop top camper. When I go to crank my camper up it goes up all the way on the right side but seems to be one or two inches short of full extension on the left side. The real problem is that it will not go down on the left side at all when I crank it down. I have to pull each side down. Any idea what could be causing this and would it be hard to fix?
Dear Tom,
Try lubricating all the arm and look to see if anything is bent. Follow the cables and see if you can see where the cable is binding up; maybe a roller or something worn out not letting the cable slide freely.
I have a 2007 Rockwood Freedom tent trailer and I went to hook up my 1800W generator to it and the LP detector beeps and says low voltage. In turn nothing works and all I want to do is use the lights. I even metered the generator to make sure of proper voltage which it does.
Why might this not be working and do you have any suggestions to fix?
Dear Scott,
Look at your power converter and battery.
Your generator is AC voltage. Your lights and LP detector are DC voltage. So, when you plug into the generator, the converter is supposed to supply the DC voltage and help keep your battery charged.
Try charging your battery and trying it again.
I have a 1993 Jayco Jayking 6 popup. The roof has sagged in the middle. I believe it has been waterlogged. Last summer I rebuilt back end of the roof. It was rotten. It cost too must to pay the dealer to get me a new top ($2,000). I'm a carpenter by trade. I was wondering if square AL tubing would be better than rebuilding it with wood. Or if there is a cheaper place to get a new top?
Dear Jonathan,
You could use aluminum tubing if it's not even more expensive than a new top.
Whatever you rebuild it with you want to pay attention to weight when rebuilding it so you don't overload the lifting system.
I accidently bent/broke the crank used for my 2005 Viking pop up trailer. I can't seem to find one on the Internet. Can you please point me in the right direction to find one?
We have high winds here, and I need to close it up before it gets destroyed.
Dear Lynne,
If you can describe it to me I might have one.
My girlfriend and me recently bought a house and in the garage was a early 80's AMF Skamper pop-up trailer but with no manual.
1st question: Where can I find an owner's manual?
The last year it was licensed was 1986.
2nd question: is I can't find a crank to open it up.
Dear Tom,
I believe Liz has a video with instructions for the popup and if you can describe the end of the crank handle, where it contact the crank, I probably have a handle.
I have a 2007 Kodiak camper. After hooking up my batteries after the winter storage, the indicator lights for tanks and batteries do not work. Any idea what is wrong? All other lights and water pump work.
Do the red lights in the fuse panel go on when a fuse is blown or are the on when the fuses are good?
Dear Jennifer,
It can be either way. You normally don't have all fuses blown at once, so it's easy to look at and tell. I would check the ground for the monitor panel.
How are the tail/turn/brake lights attached on a 1996 Coleman Bayside pop up camper? I need to replace one. All electrical works fine, the back of the light also holds the license plate and it is broken.
Dear Jerry,
Pop the red lens off and the light screws to the wall of the trailer.
I have a '99 Viking pop up with battery powered lift. It was barely going up by coming down easy. RV specialist said it needed a new winch and cable. One thousand dollars, got it home, let it up but would not let down. With in 20 minutes front end fell, shaft broke and he blames me, said I must have scraped bottom of camper.
Took it back, he put a new cable on, brought it home, let it up went to let down and it stopped, then just fell. Now this C clamp broke he says.
Went back to get it again and it will only lift 75% up. Now it has been in shop since March 5th and I have not yet been able to use it.
He is supposed to order the same winch that is in there now, which to me is the problem. It was a winch that had several recalls based on camper put in stall position then fuse tripping and end result camper falling. I am getting jerked around.
Dear Lisa,
I don't know what to tell you. Sounds like you're going to need to work it out with the shop or bite the bullet and take it someplace else and get it corrected.
I hope the shop is not trying to trade campers with you.
I have a 1995 Skamper pop-up camper with a broken lift cable. I think I have to lift and support the top to make the repair.
But does this take a special type of cable or will a cable at a local hardware store work?
Also do I need any special tools do this job?
Dear James,
No special tools or cable, just try to get the same diameter cable, which you can purchase from Lowes or Home Depot or any local hardware store.
I have a Palomino. It has an Atwood heater model 7916-1.The burner only runs about 5 seconds then turns off for 45 seconds then on for 3 seconds and off for 45 seconds. Keeps doing it.
The valve that hooks to the propane tank did go under water when the case it was laying in got full of water. But the stove works fine. Could it be the valve or do you think the limit switch? I checked continuity on the limit and it was not kicking out when the heater burner was going off on this crazy cycling.
Dear Ray,
Do an ohms reading on the flame sense wire or thermocouple, which ever one they are using.
I don't think it would light if it was the valve. It could be a faulty control module.
I have a 2000 Rockwood, fold down, and one of the sides by the lift supports has water damage, ie: I bought it and did not see it, is it possible to replace it or is this something that is covered under warranty?
If I have to replace the side, by the way, this is on the roof, are there any tricks?
Dear Mark,
It's not warranty. Raise the top up and support it and just replace the rotted wood.
I have a 1988 Jayco Jay-series pop-up and the cables to the crank up system have broke and I would like to know the best way to replace the cables. I have been trying to find some kind of instructions but haven't had any luck yet. I tried to replace one of the cables before but it didn't last very long.
Dear Jay,
If you replaced on already you should be familiar with it. You can go to Home Depot or Lowes and step up the size of the cable one size for a little more strength.
Our crank for the cable lift is squeaking horribly. Is it okay to oil it or spray it with something? On a Palomino popup.
Dear Nancy,
Yes. Spray silicone works good on cables.
I have a 95 Jayco 1006 tent trailer. When I am connected to the 110 power from the house my heater works great, but if I switch to the 12V RV battery the fan for the heater barely kicks on and the heater doesn't run. I've tested the battery and it is good and am thinking it is the converter.
Dear Dan,
Check your wiring connections at the battery and ground to the trailer. Your losing voltage going into the trailer from the battery, that wouldn't be your converter.
I have a '95 Coleman Utah pop-up and want to know how to replace the rear outside plastic panel that covers the back of the camper.
Dear Bill,
Pull the moulding off the corners, remove all lights, compartment doors, hatches, etc., and pull the panel off.
Without seeing it, I don't know if it's stapled, glued in place, or both.
I can not get the inside, overhead lights to come on. I have a popup with a converter/battery switch. Also 2 push/pull buttons. One with "15" on one and "20" on the other. They are converter buttons. I have tried switching them different ways, and checked the bulbs. I have also checked the wall sockets, and they have power. I have checked the connectors on the wiring. Any other suggestions?
Dear Sandy,
Check to make sure you have 12 volts coming out of the converter.
On my tiny Aristocrat folding trailer, does plugging the trailer into a house AC outlet charge the trailer batteries? Or does it just convert the 110 current to 12 volt DC for use by the trailer, bypassing the batteries altogether? Aren't the batteries charged solely by the connection to the towing vehicles alternator/charging system (or some other generator), and NOT by connection to a house AC current?
Dear Doug,
This is a good question. It depends on the type of converter on your popup. Some do and some don't have a battery charge circuit on the power converter. You need to get the model number from your converter and contact the manufacturer to see if it was wired for a battery. If you have the owner's manuals for your unit it should be in the owner's manual.
I have a pop up camper with a roof crack that someone before me tried to repair. Who do you recommend for repair work of the roof on the pop up camper?
I was thinking an auto body shop or marine shop that specializes in fiberglass repair.
Dear Bill,
Sounds to me like you have it figured out, the fiberglass guy should be your answer.
I have a 1998 Coleman popup! I left in the "up" position for a few weeks and when trying too lower it with the crank it just turns like something broke and doesn't lower. I guess I need too remove the panel too see what has happened? How?
Dear Mike,
Usually the crank is under a seat; when you lift up the cushion you will see an access panel.
My question is a aluminum roof on a pop-up-camper and the wood to the roof at the front and back is wet, like it's rotting, but does dry out and becomes solid. This is the ends where the mark lights and latches are.
I was thinking of replacing it. How can I do this without removing the roof?
One more question, what type of paint can I use on the body?
Dear William,
Raise and support the roof inside so you can remove the lift supports and replace the wood. After etching and priming the metal any good single stage paint should work.
1979 Jayco pop up tent trailer, one corner lift is not lifting when I crank it open, it keeps sliding down. Can this be fixed?
I can see the cable below and it's loose but still attached to something but cannot see what. Any suggestions?
Dear Erica,
Yes, it can be fixed. You just need to open it up and find out what came loose and repair it.
I have a 1989 Coleman Sun Valley pop up camper, I have a problem when I'm raising up the top it doesn't go all the way; is like short about 2-3 inches and the four stainless post are not strong when you touch it, it sways or moves continuously.
Can you please help me how to fix it?
Dear Ghanie,
Open it up and find why the post aren't secured and you will probably correct your height problem at the same time.
I have a Coleman pop up camper off road, Id#- 4CS647F1257271204, Year- 2005 Length 17'.
It has been used very few times. I just got back from a trip and went to crank it up and heard a pop sound and the crank had no tension and just turned. When I looked under the camper there was full tension on all the lines. The top is extended about two inches.
Is there a sacrificial link or something that might snap and still leave the cables under tension? How should I proceed in trying to fix it?
Dear Peter,
Tear into the crank assembly and see if you snapped a cable or sheared a roll pin on the crank.
I have a 1998 Coleman Cheyenne pop-up camper. The gear that raises and lowers the top allows me to raise the top with no problems but when I try to lower it I have to put forceful pressure on the handle to get the top to lower. Once the top starts to lower it lowers easily.
What do I need to do to fix this problem?
Dear Mark,
Find out what's binding. It could be a roller or guide for the cables out of" wack" and causing the cable to get twisted up while raising the top.
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