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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / December 2006Dutchmen Popup Roof Problems?
We are looking at a 1997 Dutchmen 1204 pop up camper. After doing some research on this model I came across a website http://www.killerpop-up.com/ and wondered if this is a widespread problem or an isolated incident. This is the only 'Major' complaint I have come across in my searches. Other people report being pleased with their Dutchmen and have not had this bad problem. Is there any way to confirm if the camper I'm looking at has this problem or not? Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance! M Flanagan DF> We are looking at a 1997 Dutchmen DF> 1204 pop up camper. After doing some research on this model I came DF> across a website http://www.killerpop- up.com/ and wondered if this is DF> a widespread problem or an isolated incident. This is the only 'Major' DF> complaint I have come across in my searches. Other people report being DF> pleased with their Dutchmen and have not had this bad problem. Is DF> there any way to confirm if the camper I'm looking at has this problem DF> or not? Should I be concerned? DF> Thanks in advance! M Flanagan What is the specific problem? I have a 1998 Dutchmen Duck 801D since 1999 and have not had any problems with the roof or the lifter system. Best Regards Wayne Moses <wmoses@houston.rr.com> Mon, 18 Dec 2006 14:31:07 -0600 > What is the specific problem? > > I have a 1998 Dutchmen Duck 801D since 1999 and have not had any problems > with the roof or the lifter system. I guess the problem was a defect in the roof and it would retain rain water and get so heavy it would either collapse or break the cable when bringing the roof up or down. I went to look at the popup again today. I talked with a guy min the service dept at a Dutchmen dealer and he said to inspect the perimeter of the roof and look for swelling or un-eveness in the outside roof part. It looked really good so I dont think there is a problem. >>What is the specific problem? >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > of the roof and look for swelling or un-eveness in the outside roof > part. It looked really good so I dont think there is a problem. Reading this made me think. I remember reading on here about some putting 2x4s or some other bracing up when their popup is up. We never have done such a thing with our 1998 Jayco Cascade but I wonder how many do it and how safe is a popup without braces to help the cables? > Reading this made me think. I remember reading on here about some > putting 2x4s or some other bracing up when their popup is up. We never > have done such a thing with our 1998 Jayco Cascade but I wonder how many > do it and how safe is a popup without braces to help the cables? On Vikings and Colemans (Fleetwood) that I've seen there are separate cables for each corner. One snapped on our Viking and the only thing that occurred is that corner sagged slightly. We temporarily used one of the awning poles to support that corner until we could get it to the shop. > Reading this made me think. I remember reading on here about some putting > 2x4s or some other bracing up when their popup is up. We never have done > such a thing with our 1998 Jayco Cascade but I wonder how many do it and > how safe is a popup without braces to help the cables? My Coachmen Clipper popup came with 2 steel long U-shaped braces just for this purpose. I crank it up, then put one at each of 2 opposite corners; they slide in surrounding the lift cable stalks. They do not do anything (meaning that they do not do any active holding of it up) unless a cable breaks, then they would catch it. I feel much better with these in place. My previous Coleman did not have these. I did not miss them then (out of ignorance I suppose) but I am glad I have them now. Also - if one fears water collecting on top, you could put a tarp up over the camper so water never has a chance. I do this most of the time anyway for shade with a giant tarp - keeps it _much_ cooler in the summer and provides a dry, shaded, big 'porch' area. Tomes DF> I guess the problem was a defect in the roof and it would retain rain DF> water and get so heavy it would either collapse or break the cable DF> when bringing the roof up or down. Okay, never had that problem or anything along those lines. My camper also lives in a storage field here in southern Texas where it can rain pretty hard. DF> I went to look at the popup again today. I talked with a guy min the DF> service dept at a Dutchmen dealer and he said to inspect the perimeter DF> of the roof and look for swelling or un- eveness in the outside roof DF> part. It looked really good so I dont think there is a problem. Sounds good. Best Regards Wayne Moses <wmoses@houston.rr.com> Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:55:27 -0600 >We are looking at a 1997 Dutchmen 1204 pop up camper. After doing some >research on this model I came across a website [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >confirm if the camper I'm looking at has this problem or not? Should I >be concerned? If you can't verify that the repairs have already been done it's not worth it. There's lots of camper on the market that don't have dangerous defects. Keep shopping. HTH > We are looking at a 1997 Dutchmen 1204 pop up camper. After doing some > research on this model I came across a website [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Thanks in advance! > M Flanagan I don't know if it is a defect that causes the roof to soak up rain. The way I understand it the roof needs to be resealed on a regular basis. Failing to do so causes leaks and a saturated roof. Have the dealer inspect it for you and be prepared to keep up the maintenance. Andrew
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