collapsing pop up methods...any good ones

[quentinorciuch]

My wife and I do a fair amount of winter camping in colorado and wyoming mountains. My big issue is collapsing the pop up on sub zero snowing mornings. Its a soft sided viking truck camper. My method now is have the crank down while I move around the outside of the camper with a step stool to shove thecanvas inside. I was thinking of using bungeee chords to pul the canvas to the center of the camper while collapsing. Any comments or ideas?
1994 080s viking pop up truck camper
2010 tundra dbl cab 4x4 5.7 liter with tow package
2007 subaru outback
2012 subaru outback
1995 and 1996 Polaris sportsman 400
1971 honda cl175 with cb200 motor
1973 sears game fisher with 1987 25hp mercury xd outboard

 

[LuckyDan]

The Bungee approach is what my Four Wheel Camper, the 8ft Grandby model, uses. It uses two, one in the overhead bunk area and one a couple feet or so inside the rear door. The lift panels have cords attached to them also. Even with that a little tucking on the corners is still required.

Best wishes on finding a solution.

 

[CJB]

With Northstar campers the Fantastic Fan works perfectly to pull in the material. Once it is cranked down with the door and windows closed, it is easy to just jump out, close the door and latch it.

 

[surlydiesel]

Someone on here used lightweight shock cord wrapped around the softsides of his camper and that would put just enough tension on the fabric to fold in as it collapsed. All the way around, with a slip knot to tighten and loosen.

-jorge

 

[Bayou Boy]

The fantastic fan on exhaust works on my ATC also. Keep the door closed, put it on, and close the top. All you might have to do I stuck in the corners when you latch the clamps. I haven't used the bungies in a while. I really can't believe that isn't the preferred method from the factory.

 

[quentinorciuch]

I like the shock cord idea. Ive heard of these fantastic fans but never really pursued to find out what they are all about. Thanks

 

[Regcabguy]

The Fantastic Fan works super. After the top's down I straighten out the two rearward corners. I agree w/Bayou Boy. These fans should be standard for a number of reasons.

 

[zidaro]

Fantastic fan! Idea behind it is when the fan is on and all doors/windows closed it creates a negative pressure, sucking the tentwalls in. It WORKS
On really cold nights the sides are still a bit stiff so a little manual help is required.
Heavy snow also requires you to clear the vent off before opening it, or even less convenient is scraping the ice off cuz the heat from inside the camper has melted the snow all night.

 

[Runt]

Phoenix pop up here with double insulation for the north and another vote for the fantastic fan. Also easy to have the lift rods half way collapsed with the Phoenix and have a long string that I loop into the window cover and then give it a gentle pull while collapsing. Only ever used that method before I discovered the fantastic fan vent method.

 

[Stanbiker]

I use a golf putter to tuck in the fabric on my old Jayco. It's a lot easier than using the step stool!

My wife and I do a fair amount of winter camping in colorado and wyoming mountains. My big issue is collapsing the pop up on sub zero snowing mornings. Its a soft sided viking truck camper. My method now is have the crank down while I move around the outside of the camper with a step stool to shove thecanvas inside. I was thinking of using bungeee chords to pul the canvas to the center of the camper while collapsing. Any comments or ideas?
1994 080s viking pop up truck camper
2010 tundra dbl cab 4x4 5.7 liter with tow package
2007 subaru outback
2012 subaru outback
1995 and 1996 Polaris sportsman 400
1971 honda cl175 with cb200 motor
1973 sears game fisher with 1987 25hp mercury xd outboard

 

[knobbytracks]

I've been using the Fantastic Fan method since day one of receiving my Northstar. The only issue is that it's has a temperature control on it. If it's too cold, the fan won't turn on. I've used a lighter to heat up the element to "fake" it into being warmer than it really is. This allows the fan to run long enough for me to lower the roof before shutting off.
Does anyone using this particular F.F. have the same issues? Is there a way to bypass the heating element so as to not have to fake the system out? I've come close to burning the screen on the fan!

 

[CJB]

We have a Northstar and always keep the temp setting on the lowest (I never move it) so that it runs even in cold weather. In Southern Oregon at 10 degrees it still worked great- never have to tuck anything in with this method.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Does anyone using this particular F.F. have the same issues? Is there a way to bypass the heating element so as to not have to fake the system out? I've come close to burning the screen on the fan!

I put a bypass switch on the thermostat. So I can use it on the temp setting or like normal.

I think I detailed the switch wiring in my build thread, but I did call FantasticFan and got the info from them.

 

[brian90744]

You could turn on one stove burner and the fantastic fan will pull the heat up.

I've been using the Fantastic Fan method since day one of receiving my Northstar. The only issue is that it's has a temperature control on it. If it's too cold, the fan won't turn on. I've used a lighter to heat up the element to "fake" it into being warmer than it really is. This allows the fan to run long enough for me to lower the roof before shutting off.
Does anyone using this particular F.F. have the same issues? Is there a way to bypass the heating element so as to not have to fake the system out? I've come close to burning the screen on the fan!