New direction. R.I.P. pop-up!

Well, I know many Pinterest folk have saved for the step by step repair. Sorry to report that the pop-up has moved on to the great camp ground in the sky 😔. I did everything within my power, but after unforeseen spring flooding (inside the storage garage caused by a combination of ice jam, thaw and quick refreeze) too much damage has occurred. I am a novice and the repair is now well beyond my know how. 

I apologize and hope you will continue to follow my new direction. After much contemplating, debate, and pros and cons lists I have decided that our family will purchase a new 2015 expandable trailer! Of course repairs will not be needed ( hopefully ) but you can follow my experience as a single mother hauling a 24' trailer for the first time, the ups and downs of learning to backup, hook up, and head out! 

With some good luck you can follow along as we travel to Yellowstone next August! I might just make a Travel Channel pilot too! 

So looking forward to the New Direction! 

Latch replacement

Yay! Finally warm enough to be outside! 

Old latch closed

How the old latch should look

Broken latch

Replacement ordered from Amazon.com

The screws on the top hook ( not the official terms. It's what I'd call it) were stripped and will require another installment cause time is very limited!

But these screws came right out with a lot of pressure. 

The bottom left was stripped, but after a few taps and rotating the unit once is was able to get it with the cordless.

There was a lot of build up. Possible calking. I did not use any calking and will have to go back and redo.

I don't normally like to redo projects, but like I said time was limited. I wanted to get it closed so no gap was left. So this will work for now. I do plan on replacing all the latches so we don't have a repeat of it breaking while away from home! Good thing I had ratchet straps to hold the top closed so we could make the 1 1/2 ride home safe and sound! 

Stay tuned there is a lot more work to do!

I am not affiliated with amazon.com or the manufacturer of the replacement latch. 

"Nothing burns like the cold"

Here it is March and it was still 5 degrees this morning. The winter was been a lot more fierce then in recent years. I have never seen it hit -20 at home before! Needless to say work on the camper came to a quick stop! But hopefully as the temperature raises so will the camper and the work on it! 

Winter housing!

The camper is now in the garage for the winter. Luckily I was able to set it up, so repairs could continue this winter! I'm not sure how much work will get done since the holiday season is here but I will do my best! 

Trial run

So we went on our first camping venture. First and most likely last for the season. It went pretty well! My dad hitched the camper up while I was at work so we could just finish packing and head out when I got home.

Pulling the camper was a lot easier then I thought. At first I was incredibally nervous It was the first time I hauled anything with the new SUV. I made sure I had everything we needed so I didn't put myself in the situation of needing to back up. That was very important this trip because as much as I hate to admit it I am the sterotypical woman when it comes to hauling and reverse! But I will remedy this!! 

So what I discovered on this trip is that the provided storage and shelves are fine if you are:

1. Not staying longer than a day or two 

2. Not cooking other than with a crockpot

3. Have no more than 3 people ( this trip included myself, teenage son and friend)

One very important thing I discovered is that since we had electric and the weather was cool the heating pad was the best idea ever!!! Put it under the blankets while I was getting ready and climbed into a nice warm bed!! Our camper doesn't have ac or heat so I also had a space heater with a thermostat. It did a good job of keeping us warm, but not sure how well it would if the temp was any lower.

One of the roof latches broke so I was able to order another on Amazon.com. I plan on replacing them all. So stay tuned as I take you step by step through that!!

Foam cushions expand

So I decided that since the camper is from the 90's and I am not exactly sure when if ever the bed mattress covers were washed, that I would wash them. I am very glad that I started with the full size mattress instead of the king. Removing the cover was not very difficult at all, but I did suspect that it might have a difficult time after it was washed. I was right! 

I heard the neighbors walk by and they did not stop because they probably saw the camper rocking! As I wrestled the foam back into the cover of course! Lol! As it turns out I believe the foam expanded without the cover! Because this is the end product!! 

I am hoping that maybe once I collapse the camper it will flatten out at least I hope!! Lol!! 

So in light of what I have discovered this evening here is how I will approach cleaning the king sized mattress.

Rainy delay

Not much to report. I was hoping to get a lot accomplished this weekend. The weather was supposed to be sunny and warm, but instead we got thunderstorms and rain. I was able to hang the ruffle and fix the hole. 

Not an extreme fix but it will do.

I also wiped down the ceiling with a bleach spray and the top part of the canvas. I removed the covers of the seat cushions and they are being washed and colored. 

My color Whole color plan is shoot because the mauve won't die! I did pick up some dark brown today but that is not what I wanted! I didn't want a dark cave camper! 

Oh well I guess it will do dor now!