April 30, 2007
This Weekend Was Camper Cleaning Day
Our first camping trip is coming up in a little over a week so we got our pop-up camper out over the weekend and cleaned it from top to bottom, inside and out. We took down all the curtains and washed them, shampooed all the cushions and upholstery, scrubbed every surface, and even remembered to clean the air conditioner filter. Cleaning the camper is the only part of camping that I really hate doing. I had to keep telling myself “you get to go camping in less than two weeks” over and over again so that I would stick with it and get it done.
We finally finished Sunday night around 7 pm when I finished writing my list of supplies we needed to replenish and things that we needed to get fixed like the table leg that broke on our camping trip last fall and the screen door that has a big hole in it.
I threw away last year’s bug repellant and am going to get a new supply because it loses its potentency over time and if there’s one thing that turns a camping trip into a nightmare for me it’s bug bites because I have allergies.
When you get your camper ready for camping this year make sure all your cooking utensils are in good shape and aren’t in need of replacing, that your flashlights and lanterns are in working order and that you have spare batteries for them.
Make a list of what needs to be fixed and what needs to be purchased.
We need new camping chairs this year along with a new portable grill. We’re getting TravelChair camping chairs because I’ve been told by several people they are very comfortable as well as durable and we’re getting a Weber Baby Q gas grill for grilling out which we do almost every meal when we camp.
Make sure your first aid kit is well stocked and that any old ointments or medications are tossed and restocked with new ones. Take special care to check the expiration dates on pain relievers. Also replace any sunscreen leftover from last year. Like bug repellant, it loses its potency over time too and a sunburn is another thing that takes a lot of the fun out of a camping trip.
Also make sure you have a pen and a pad of paper in a handy place in your camper when you go camping this year. Then, when you run out of things or notice something that is broken, you can write it down right away and get it taken care of when you get back home (if it can wait that long).
I’ll let you know how our first camping trip goes. We’re leaving on May 8. Right now it looks likes the weather will be pretty good execpt for the 8th when it’s supposed to rain. I just hope it stops long enough for us to get our camper set up when we get to the campground. Otherwise, we’re going to get wet!
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18 Comments on This Weekend Was Camper Cleaning Day »
July 20, 2007
Louise Bender @ 11:19 am:
What do you use to clean vinyl windows on a pop up camper?
July 23, 2007
Anonymous @ 5:00 pm:
I do a two-step process. I put a small squirt of Dawn dishwashing liquid in a 5 quart ice cream pail and fill it with warm water. I wash the windows with the soap mixture, wiping them dry with a soft cloth.
Then I spray the vinyl windows with Windex and wipe clean with paper towels. I like using the Dawn in the water first because it cuts through grime and fly specks really well.
My sister-in-law also has a popup camper with vinyl windows. She just uses Windex.
Regards,
Dorrie
August 20, 2007
Nikki @ 8:12 am:
How would you clean water stain and/slight mildew from canvas inside of the pop-upcamper(around curtain area and window areas?
August 23, 2007
dorrie @ 4:39 pm:
I’d try a solution of half rubbing alcohol and half water. I’d stay away from using bleach because it can permanently damage the canvas.
September 2, 2007
kathleen @ 2:28 pm:
I have a palimino pony. I noticed black scum on the canvas windows after having it up most of the summer in our driwe. I am sure it’s bad for a camper but it was frequently used as a smoking room so it could just be smoke dirt. Or, is this mold? I noticed in a test area that after spraying it with febreeze, the paper towel showed dark black - I would like to get this really clean before putting away for winter. And the febreeze is not cutting it. What cleaners can be used on these canvas zip open/zip shut windows. How to clean this? HELP!!
June 16, 2008
CHRIS @ 3:52 pm:
I RECENTLY HAVE REFURBISHED A 86 STARCRAFT CAMPER BUT NOW I NEED NEW CURTIANS WHERE IS A GOOD PLACE TO LOOK?
Dorrie @ 10:43 pm:
Chris,
New curtains for a camper can be a little tricky to find. You could contact a local Starcraft dealer for suggestions; otherwise if you have the old curtains hire someone to sew you new ones. Look in your phone book for someone who does sewing. Someone who is good at seweing should easily be able to take your old curtains and use them as a pattern for new ones.
Regards,
Dorrie
June 17, 2008
CHRIS @ 9:00 am:
Thank you Dorrie,
What I proably need is just the little things that attach to the curtian rail and can attach those to the new curtains.
Any sugestions as to where to find those? Starcraft dealer?
Thank you
Dorrie @ 6:09 pm:
Chris,
Yes, I would go to or call a Starcraft dealer. Hopefully there is one close to you. Here’s the URL for Starcraft: http://www.starcraftrv.com/. There’s a link on the page to find the nearest dealer.
I had to get some of those clips too. I’ve had several of them break. I have a Coleman/Fleetwood popup camper and got the clips at a Fleetwood dealer. I got mine a couple of years ago, but I remember they were very reasonable - only a couple of dollars.
Regards,
Dorrie
June 29, 2008
joe @ 9:24 pm:
i have a 04 fleetwood and used sun brella mold/mildew stan remove it’a a little pricey but it worked great it is for canvas
June 30, 2008
Brenda @ 1:46 pm:
Hi, Each fall we take our pop up to be “winterized” and in the summer we take it to be “summerized”. We’re not real suve what they do and we’re trying to save money this year by doing it ourselves. Does anyone have any idea what we’re supposed to do? It has a shower and toilet. Thanks!
Brenda Turner
July 21, 2008
Tracey Underhill @ 7:52 pm:
I recently bought a 1988 bonair tent trailer. I usually use a tent! I tryed to set it up today and failled!!! The trailer was/ is in great condition, and was set up when I seen it. I cant get the canvas to fit by the door. HELP! What am I doing wrong?
July 22, 2008
Dorrie @ 8:12 am:
Hi Tracy,
I have a Coleman tent trailer and the canvas around the door has velco to get it to fit together. I’m not sure how the Bonair is supposed to work, but you could ask on the forum for Bonair Tent Trailer users. Here’s the URL: http://groups.msn.com/BonairTenttrailerGroup
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dorrie
August 3, 2008
JD. Nesbitt @ 2:56 pm:
Tracy,
We have an older Coleman Pop-up and have the same problem.
Our Camper uses a rubber molding to fasten in to the slot,s in the sides of the door. We finally figured out that if we unzip the zippers on both sides of the canvas curtains on
either end and gently pull the bottom of the curtain towarde the door on each sides that it gives you the extra space that is required without the struggle. Then just zip the ends back up. It makes all the difference in the world, once you get the hang of it. Good Luck Darrell
August 15, 2008
Erica @ 8:34 pm:
Hi Dorrie,
We have been tent camping for 20 years and finally decided to upgrade to a Pop-Up camper. Do you know if there is a “Consumer Reports” for buying Pop-Ups? A website that will compare and review different makes/models and give ratings would be great. A few people recommended renting a Pop-Up before buying one but I would still like to see reviews before I buy. Thanks!
August 16, 2008
Dorrie @ 9:36 am:
Erica,
RoamingTimes.com has user submitted reviews on rv’s, including popups. There are reviews for Jayco and Fleetwood popups on the site.
RV.org is a nonprofit that rates rv’s but there is a fee. The upside is that there is a manufacturer/model search engine on the site to see if the models you are interested in have reviews available.
Hope this help.
Regards,
Dorrie
November 4, 2008
Theresa @ 11:12 am:
When not in use at home, is it best to leave a pop-up camper set up or down?
Dorrie @ 11:24 am:
I keep mine down when it’s not being used unless it’s wet from the latest camping trip or if I want to air it out after not being used for a while.
It’s obviously easier to store with it down and I think it’s better for the “raising and lowering” mechanism to keep it down when not in use.