Collapsing the tent trailer
Hello, I just purchased a used Jayco tent trailer and was told by the seller that in order to collapse the top and latch it for travel, it is best to do it in stages which takes time. I have found t...
Forum Discussion
When we had our popup we would crank it down some of the way, tuck in the canvas all around, crank down some more, tuck some more, etc. It was slow at first, but after we'd had it out camping several times, by the end of the season (and for the rest of the time we owned it) we got it down to a science and setup or takedown took us about 1/2 hour, with another 15-30 minutes to load & unload it. (Clothes & food always went in at each setup and came out each time we took down & hitched up.)
By the way, this setup/takedown time included setting up the awning. Our dealer had advised us to set it up (except for staking down the support poles) when we had cranked up the camper about halfway. We didn't do that for the first year, then realized it was SO much easier the way he had told us. :)
Oh - make sure you have the rear stabilizers set up before you enter the camper. :) I think all popup owners have experienced the consequences of not doing so, at least once. :) We usually set the stabilizers (which were attached to our camper, not separate) before all the cranking - easier to reach them that way, rather than half-crawling under the bed ends once they're deployed.) Never had a problem with our lifters in 16+ seasons.
Drop it half. Tuck it in. Drop it to six inches. Tuck it all in. Drop 'er down and latch it up.Sigh - I never was succinct. Good description. Don't worry about putting downward pressure on the corners to latch it - I think you'll know when the lifters have gone as far as they should, after which more downward pressure will be needed for the latches to catch properly.
Pretend it's starting to rain and you have to get the heck out of there.
By the way, this setup/takedown time included setting up the awning. Our dealer had advised us to set it up (except for staking down the support poles) when we had cranked up the camper about halfway. We didn't do that for the first year, then realized it was SO much easier the way he had told us. :)
Oh - make sure you have the rear stabilizers set up before you enter the camper. :) I think all popup owners have experienced the consequences of not doing so, at least once. :) We usually set the stabilizers (which were attached to our camper, not separate) before all the cranking - easier to reach them that way, rather than half-crawling under the bed ends once they're deployed.) Never had a problem with our lifters in 16+ seasons.
