Cable snap while setting up on campsite?

Mike Up wrote:
Here's another fear. Since Pop Ups are basically tents, at least the areas are where you sleep, you shouldn't be using a campsite next to any dead trees. Dead trees fall in storms and have killed a few in tents this year, in our area.

With a camper, you have little recourse to change campsites after reserving the site especially if there's none available and you're no where close to home.

A campground I went to last month had dead trees everywhere. I had to refuse 3 campsites because I was camping in a tent and storms were suppose to come by. Luckily there was one site that didn't have any dead trees near it.

The campground owners did say they were in the process of removing all the dead trees.

Yes, I agree.
I have seen one tree a few years back that had fell on a small travel trailer, breaking it almost in half! 2 kids where sleeping inside, but they walked way only with some minor scratches and bruises...
After seen that I NEVER camp next to trees that have the potential to fall on me, with or without RV!!!

Great advice Mike. Your right. Falling limbs are quite dangerous to us Pupsters.

Here's another fear. Since Pop Ups are basically tents, at least the areas are where you sleep, you shouldn't be using a campsite next to any dead trees. Dead trees fall in storms and have killed a few in tents this year, in our area.

With a camper, you have little recourse to change campsites after reserving the site especially if there's none available and you're no where close to home.

A campground I went to last month had dead trees everywhere. I had to refuse 3 campsites because I was camping in a tent and storms were suppose to come by. Luckily there was one site that didn't have any dead trees near it.

The campground owners did say they were in the process of removing all the dead trees.

Dream Girl wrote:
What do you do if, while cranking up the pop-up at the campsite and one of the cable snap!

Never happen to me, hope it never will!
I am a yang girl (23), usually camping alone with my nephews and nieces (7,10 and 13 years old)... this is my biggest fear with my Pop-up!

I honestly don't know what you supposed to do in a situation like this... so I am asking now to be better prepare in case it will happen.

p.s, I have a 2008 Rockwood if it matter.
Thanks.

That was a fear of mine as well as I went 12 to 14 hours away for some trips. I eventually went to travel trailers and never worried again.

I don't like the typical pop ups because cables always fail at some point as it has happened to my family many times, just not me thankfully.

I would and had, the dealerships do semi annual inspections on the lift systems and cables to make sure that they were not damaged and in good working order as not to add any negavitve suprises when at that far away campground.

Hard roofs serve little purpose other than supporting an air conditioner. A side mount like used with Quick Silvers is a good idea. The Quick Silvers would be nice but they are little more than tents. No electric water pump, no inside shower w/toilet, no water heater, no stove, no 20 gallon fresh water tank, you get the idea.

A nice 14' Quick Silver with linoleum over the cold metal floor would be nice to give you all of the amenities but keep a trouble free, fold over tent roof. ;)

We use two 1"x2"s cut to 46" long to prop up our roof prior to door setup. Why? because I dont trust the clutch of our lift system. 46" long is the right length for our Coleman. YMMV. These would serve if a cable snapped while cranking up. After we got help to manually lift the roof, of course! We bungee ours to the lift posts and install one on the door side rear and one on the street side front. 1x2s are much cheaper, lighter, and take up less space than 2x4s. If I were you, I would get a couple of 1x2s and cut them to the right length for your camper, and carry them with you always, just in case.Hope this helps you keep on camping!

I hope that never happens to you but if it does there are usually enough people around the campground that are willing to help out.
Hopefully if it does fall it won't be when the beds are pulled out.

Get help or go home

Had the cable go south on a friends crank up. We managed to get it up and supported with a tree limb. Went down fine and locked in place properly. At the time I was involved with a water bomber outfit. All the cables were replaced with aircraft grade cable. Problem gone. Buddy used the camper for four five more years and never had any reoccurence.

A person on each corner should be able to raise it by hand then prop it up with a 2x4 or the like.

My 2008 STARCRAFT 14RT has the electric motor roof raise. I always keep the cables lubed good and listen to it when raising and lowering. You can really tell if it is in a big strain going up...

When I first got my POPUP it didn't have the Air Conditioner mounted on the roof option in stock and the roof went up and down with ease... Then after they added the 100lb plus air conditioner weight to the roof you can tell it is pushing up more weight.

My POPUP also came with a couple of what they call LIFTER ARM SAFETY POST that you insert around the lift mechanism and then you can let the roof come down on top of the bars. This takes all the pressure off the lift cable. Gives you a sense of relief knowning the roof isn't going to fall down on you in the middle of the night if the cable does break.

They look like this photo... You may already have something like this..



Roy Ken