March 2023 - What did you do for your camper?

[Momnipotent]

It took us 2+ hours but we got the pop up trailer out thru the snow and back to our driveway last night! Soooooo much snow had to be moved and the plow truck was having none of it…too slippery; so it was snow blowing with the huge old 2-stage. Then beating the crap outta the chocks frozen to the ground, chipping away 24” of ice from in front of the step so we could pull it out. But, we did it! Now to watch for temps warm enough to feel comfortable opening it up without risking damage to the vinyl windows. First road trip is T- 18 days! (Exterior maintenance and checks will be first on the list.)

 

[Momnipotent]

Lots of vapor, sinnce, IIRC, it takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. One of my classes did s study of maple syrup producing families in northern NY, back in the '70s. It was interesting to see the sugar houses, small boilers for the yard, etc. Tales of loosened wallpaper from boiling sap in the kitchen also come to mind.
I wonder how much of a 20# tank of LP it will take to make syrup.
[taking the field trips for that study, it was done before sap season, so it was cold enough I remember trees snapping like gunshots, has come back to haunt me. Last year, I developed chilblains on the toes I almost - or did - get frostbite in. I guess I was lucky it took 45+ years to develop.]

Sooooo much vapor! We usually cook our 300+ gallons down over a wood fire to the point it’s almost finished then we do propane.

 

[Momnipotent]

Brought the camper home yesterday so I can get her ready for camping season.

View attachment 90266

That’s beautiful!

 

[Warfarin]

Got my new door latch, Shore Power cover and water fill cover installed. Got the trailer outfitted(ish). Need to still install the 12 accessory plug outlets which will be done today. Then I need to put it all away because it is supposed to snow Wednesday and Thursday. Then Friday we are heading south for warmer weather and a 4 day camping trip.

 

[Warfarin]

Oh and I did lube all the pulleys.

 

[Beckaki]

Our lift switch stopped working last summer. My husband hot wired to make it work to get it through our last trip.

Looked for a new button based on parts manuals and ordered thinking I'm making the right choice. WRONG! After some research, we determined that the previous owner had apparently switched the lift electrical out with a Champion ATV wench lift box.... so....

Lift controller returned ️
New Champion wench control box ordered (cheaper) ️
Install complete - pending

Hoping this works. Wanting to go camping next month, if possible.

 

[PopUpSteve]

Finally got a good day and out of work on time so I got home to setup & clean out the camper. Did a good 25 minute setup, everything but the awning.

 

[johneliot]

Steve, what’s the length on your box?

 

[kitphantom]

I'm still working on the new throw quilt for the trailer. It may get finished before the last trip of the year.
Making plans to take the cover off this weekend, wind permitting. A gentle breeze can be helpful, heavy winds not so much. High winds and fire weather tomorrow but it is supposed to be less windy over the weekend.
I'm looking forward to easy access, so I can measure for some new organizers, and I can begin to start replacing bedding and other dry things back, and get them out of the way inside. We can also do the repairs as we get time, it will be much lighter inside without the cover. We have new rooster catches to install, Courtenay has to figure out what to make a shim out of to have them fit well.

 

[PopUpSteve]

Steve, what’s the length on your box?

Closed: 12'
Open: 23' 7"

Closed Total Length: 17' 1"

 

[PopUpSteve]

Also replaced the receiver ball cover today.

 

[johneliot]

That box sure doesn‘t look 12’ long.

 

[BillOh]

Finally got a good day and out of work on time so I got home to setup & clean out the camper. Did a good 25 minute setup, everything but the awning.

View attachment 90395

Great picture, you mentioned the awning, I don't think I will have room in my driveway to do that unless I push it all the way back, will have to look at that.

 

[BillOh]

Ok, today is the day I carry the batteries out of my basement (my office for the last 3 years) and take them out to the garage and charge them both so I can operate the lift on Saturday afternoon when I bring it back home.

 

[BillOh]

Ok, today is the day I carry the batteries out of my basement (my office for the last 3 years) and take them out to the garage and charge them both so I can operate the lift on Saturday afternoon when I bring it back home.

Did those batteries get heavier, or am I not in Spring shape yet, or am I a year older?

 

[Warfarin]

Well more March updates. (Remember I just bought this in FEB). Installed a USB, Cigarette lighter outlet, volt meter combo. Just need to wire it. Hopefully before tomorrow’s trip. Got it up on Monday and started going over everything I could think of before this weekend trip. Got all the new stuff in, like bedding kitchen stuff etc. Propane tanks filled all electrical working (that tail light problem I had went away somehow). Heater working. (of course “everything” was working when they parked it 2 years ago). Now on to water. Drained the pink stuff from the tank and filled about half way up with fresh. Turned on pump got a noise no water. HMMM? Found it all dumping on the ground. Now I know it has low water drains. Close them and refill water tank. Turn on pump and get water. Check to see if water heater is bypassed, it’s not. Turn on water heater and it fires right up and gets hot. Then I see water coming at me along the floor ugh! When the pump is on I can hear a spraying noise. Finally remove kick panel from slide out and find the culprit. Stinkin outside shower lines kinked and got a hole in it. Unscrewed them ran to hardware store and got caps. Now no leaks. One last problem to figure out is no water to the toilet. Since we have a shower head next to it we will use that for a water source and I’ll figure out the toilet when I get home and some good weather. Heading south to warmer climate tomorrow for my first outing in this thing.

 

[Groomporter]

As soon as it's a bit warmer I'll pull one of the wheels to take to Fleet Farm, or other farm supply place to see if I can find a spare. I think grandpa cannibalized wheels from something that was already vintage in circa 1960 when he started building the pup. Regular tire stores haven't been able to identify the style of rims, much less order one.

How stupid would it be to have a spare that matches the lug pattern, but has a larger center hole than the original rims?

 

[JiffyPopJunkie]

How stupid would it be to have a spare that matches the lug pattern, but has a larger center hole than the original rims?

Its not the best of things but it will work in a bind. Its just all the weight rests on the lugs. I have an old Tbird that I CANNOT find a rim for and have been riding around with a universal rim for years. (Not my proudest moment)

 

[Groomporter]

Its not the best of things but it will work in a bind. Its just all the weight rests on the lugs. I have an old Tbird that I CANNOT find a rim for and have been riding around with a universal rim for years. (Not my proudest moment)

Yeah, although not ideal, I figure if the center hub is taking much weight there would already be something going wrong... But still going to see if Fleet Farm or someone can match the original rims.