A pop-up camper can be a great way for single travelers or couples to enjoy a more authentic camping experience. These people often like the freedom of tent camping, but don’t want to sleep on the uncomfortable ground anymore, or maybe need a little more storage space. Because you’ll probably be taking your rig to some harsh locations and dragging it over rough terrain, you’ll want to stay on top of maintenance and care. This will help it hold up for years and years under even the harshest conditions. Trailer Source has provided some tips for maintaining your pop-up camper to help you get started, but if you need additional tips, or if you still need the vehicle itself, then stop by one of our locations in Wheat Ridge, Erie, Colorado Springs, and Littleton, Colorado, all proudly serving the Denver area.
De-Winterization
Although we’re pretty far into summer you may still need to de-winterize your camper before you can hit the road. After all, you probably made some tweaks so it could sit all winter without incurring damage and you’ll need to make some more tweaks to get it ready for camping again.
The biggest hurdle will probably be de-winterizing your water system. To prevent frozen pipes breaking throughout the winter, many RV owners add antifreeze to their water system. But now it’s time to flush that out. You’ll want to flush out the antifreeze first until you no longer see pink and then add ¼ cup bleach for every 15 gallons in your water system (through the pipes, not directly into the tank. Let that sit overnight before flushing it out as well.
You’ll also want to take some time to air out the camper and perform a complete inspection. Look for any issues that may have come up during winter, including dirt and grime buildup, critter infestations, and physical damage. If relevant, you may also want to hook up your pop-up camper to a power source so you can check the appliances and make sure they’re still working.
Tires
Like with any kind of vehicle, your tires are an essential part of safe and efficient driving. Whether your rig has been sitting in storage or you’ve already been traveling around for the last month, constantly checking your tires is a must. Start by checking tire pressure. This can be done by installing a tire pressure monitoring system or by simply using a tire pressure gauge. You’ll want to reference your owner’s manual to see what your tire pressure level should be.
While you’re checking pressure, inspect the tread. If you notice there’s excessive wear, then it’s probably time to get a new tire. If you notice the tire is wearing down in an unconventional way, it might be a sign the weight in your camper is unevenly distributed or that there are other mechanical issues at play. Finally, if you notice any damage to your tires, get a new one. Never drive on a compromised tire.
Cleaning
One of the easiest ways to prevent many pop-up maintenance issues is simply to keep it clean. This can help clear away any harmful dirt or grime and remove debris that could lead to more damage. Or, as you’re cleaning, you might spot a small repair that needs to be addressed before it becomes a big problem. Give the exterior of your rig a regular washing, using products that won’t damage the material or finishings.
In particular, you’ll want to catch mold and mildew before it has a chance to grow. In some cases, these kinds of issues can be dangerous to your health, but usually it’s just gross and smelly. Regularly washing your pop-up camper can combat this, as well as letting it dry completely before putting it away. If you do notice mold or mildew there are specialized cleaning products that can help you get rid of it.
While you’re cleaning and inspecting your camper, you may notice a repair that’s a little out of your league, either because you don’t know how to fix it or you may not have the tools to do so. When this happens, contact our service department at Trailer Source and we’ll help you get back on the road in no time. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Denver, Wheat Ridge, Erie, Colorado Springs, and Littleton, CO.
