Appraising a Coleman Pop Up Camper -- a Checklist of Things to Evaluate

If you are planning on purchasing a Coleman Pop Up camper soon, no doubt you have discovered that there is a huge aftermarket where these vehicles are bought and sold. 

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Before purchasing a pre-owned (used) Coleman Pop Up camper, there are some things that you need to evaluate --

The first area to inspect is the frame -- by this I mean the condition of the camper underneath.  You need to look for signs of rust or corrosion, weak or bent metal and signs of any prior involvement with an accident.  While you are at it you should also inspect the metal side panels on your Coleman Pop Up camper to make sure that they are not rusted or corroded or dented in any way.

The next thing to take a look at is the condition of the roof.  Make sure that it shows no signs of corrosion, holes, dents, etc. If necessary, you may need to get on a ladder in order to get high enough above the roof of the camper in order to take a good look at it.  If you are not physically able to do this, then you can have a friend do it -- but don't fail to inspect the roof before making a purchase.

Another area to inspect on your Coleman Pop Up camper is the condition of your tires, wheels, and axles.  Look for any signs of repair, rust, corrosion or other problems.  You might also make a note of the condition of your tires -- do the tires seem overly-worn? What about the suspension?

Next check out the electrical system.  While you obviously can't rip out flooring and walls, at the very least you should check to make sure that light switches are in good condition and that the lights come on, that external running lights work properly, and that the electrical outlets also operate.  You might want to take a small radio with an AC adapter and plug it into the various outlets to make sure they are working properly.

The next major area of your Coleman Pop Up camper to evaluate is the air-conditioning and heating system.  If you have HVAC experience, then this will be familiar territory to you.  Of course you should try to switch them on to make sure they are working -- but don't hesitate to bring along a knowledgeable friend to have them run a more experienced eye over your AC and furnace. The best procedure is to try to actually operate the heating/AC, and evaluate their heating/cooling output. Furnaces that do not put out much heat, or AC units that don't really seem to cool very well are to be avoided -- repairs to these units can be quite expensive.

Another area to check are the LP gas tanks -- you need to inspect the condition of the tanks themselves, as well as the tank frame.  Make sure these are in good condition and not rusting, and that the tanks rest securely within the frame.  As well, you should also check the condition of the gas lines to make sure that they do not show signs of damage or deterioration -- and give particular attention to the valves and fittings, as if these are loose or damaged they could pose a health or safety threat from gas leaks.

Of course a big area of your Coleman Pop Up camper is the canvas siding -- the tent that unfolds (if your model has that).  You need to cast a careful eye on the condition of his canvas -- look for any signs of excessive wear, tears and holes, or any patches that would give an indication of past trouble.  You don't want to purchase a Pop Up camper with leaky canvas siding!

Check out these areas, and you will feel much more comfortable shelling out the thousands of dollars you will need to purchase one of these units.