Four Things You NEED to Check on Your Pop Up Camper Before EVERY Trip | The C.L.A.P. Method

This video details everything you need to check prior to departing on your next - or first - pop up camping trip. This is where the mnemonic “C.L.A.P..” comes into play! C stands for connection, which entails ensuring your pop up camper is connected to your tow vehicle. Naturally, this involves connecting the pop up camper’s tongue to the hitch along with the two safety chains, wiring harness connector, and if applicable, brake-away switch. L stands for lug nuts. If it has been a while since or last camping trip or even if you just put on new tires, check to ensure the lug nuts are properly torqued down. A stands for air pressure. Fill your pop up camper’s tires to the maximum PSI listed on the sidewall of the tire - don’t under fill them! Finally, P stands for put away. This is when you conduct your final walk around of your pop up camper’s exterior to ensure that everything is secured, stowed away, and in it’s proper place for travel. Everybody has a different make and model of pop up camper so your mileage may vary. However, ensure that access doors are locked, stabilizer jacks and steps are stored in their upright position, your roof clasps are secured, etc. etc. This is also a good time to remove the tire chalks and check the functionality of your pop up camper’s lights.
Get your merch here & join the It’s Poppin’ family: shop.spreadshirt.com/its-poppin/
Tell us what you think!
Products (Paid Affiliate Links that Help Support this Channel):
- Breakaway Switch Cable:amzn.to/3mLXM87
- Trailer and Hitch Lock: amzn.to/3zDPnLC
- Torque Wrench: amzn.to/3ObCkFq
- Folding Lug Nut Wrench: amzn.to/3xt3Szt
- Tire Pressure Gauge: amzn.to/3NRRTCr
Camera Equipment (Paid Affiliate Links that Help Support this Channel):
- Primary Camera Body - Sony A7C: amzn.to/3sWwptO
- Primary Lens - Sony 20mm F1.8: amzn.to/3ujII3u
- Secondary Lens - Sony 24-105 F4: amzn.to/3uUOh9l
- Action Camera - GoPro Hero 7 Black: amzn.to/34LVBJu
- Drone - DJI Mavic Air 2S: amzn.to/3lkGIqk
- Gimbal - DJI Ronin SC: amzn.to/3jhuDjk
- On-Camera Microphone - Deity D4 Duo: amzn.to/37DbxPr
- Lavaliere Microphone - Boya BY-M1: amzn.to/34KZO0o
- Primary Tripod - K&F Concept Tripod: amzn.to/3t0yULd
- Small Tripod - Switchpod: amzn.to/3sQu2rG
Music:
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...

[@ItsPoppin]

It feels good to be back! And sorry about the wind noise, but you know, weather…

[@yagro1]

Just an FYI, but that PSI on the sidewall is the MAX PSI limit @ MAX load. Meaning that the pressure should only be that high when the tire is at MAX rated load. Filling to that pressure at a lesser load and then additionally loading the tires will cause that pressure to exceed it's maximum rating. I've seen this mistake make quite commonly, but it needed mentioning.

[@belindabaxter2746]

I loved the information but couple of things that wasn’t mentioned was greasing the bearings and checking the brakes pads as well.

[@apwkastmaster2096]

Great to see you back. We are picking up our tent trailer from the dealer tomorrow. Can't tell you how much we appreciate your videos and getting us prepared for our next adventure.

[@springvillegraphics3762]

I love your video and CLAP it is easy to remember and I will use everytime I go poppin'. For P you should say "Perimeter Check"

[@ItsPoppin]

Ha, there you go!

[@stevenrogers4832]

Congrats on the housing upgrade, 3 car garage, I am jealous. Great way to remember to pickup, and buttonup. We understand life getting the best of your schedule. We have not been camping in a few months, our sanity is slipping. I think a series for renovating and setting up your new garage would be a good idea. Glad to see you'll healthy and back. Bless you on your new endeavor. Have fun.

[@ItsPoppin]

Thanks Steve

[@tammyr1350]

Definitely check your lights every time. Someone STOLE our break lights lightbulbs from our camper while it was at our RV storage unit.

[@wendywilson1736]

That is exactly why we are greatful that we can fit ours into our garage! It's only a 2 car, but it's either the pop-up or the minivan/tow vehicle, which gets a lot more use, and needs to be more accessible. So, the pop up gets to stay snuggly warm and out of the elements when we are not camping.

[@Samhunt1978]

Heads up.. from an old guy... when you torturing lugnuts. Push down.... way easier on the back!. Fyi I appreciate your videos, very helpful... we are new to pop ups and have learned quite a bit from your channel. Thank you!

[@stevendurand3686]

Been following your channel for a while. Just bought a shirt and sticker. We recently just bought our 3rd pop up, our 1st pop up was a complete remodel and I your channel helped me a lot on the rehab process. We just upgraded to a highwall flagstaff and we absolutely love it! You actually inspired me to start my own KZbin channel, and while I haven't done anything pop up related just yet, I'll be posting some videos soon! Keep poppin' man!

[@ItsPoppin]

Congrats

[@danfranz7325]

Glad to see you back! You have helped us So Much with your videos!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Good list and way to remember. Congrats on the move and thanks for sharing.

[@KRT045]

Good stuff! Glad to see you back to making videos. I was just thinking about you guys.

[@knorth1089]

So glad to see you back!! Not only great information and ideas...but also means Spring is almost here!!!!

[@lvmtb]

Glade your back we have missed you. Moving can be stressful.

[@Skids2r]

Thanks for taking the time to setup the camera and make these videos. They have been immeasurably helpful to setting up my new to me pop up. I've been on and off watching for a couple years and finally got my hands on a 2008 fleetwood last week. There are so many steps involved above just tent camping that these videos are invaluable. I may have jumped to soon in buying, but the market is fierce in getting a good deal. Thankfully I have some tools and your experience to help. I'm getting it ready for it's maiden voyage and it's been a uphill battle; tires, axles, battery, wiring, lube, converter fuses, water systems, etc... The roof crank lift rolling chain snapped yesterday lol. Little setbacks, but I'm determined! Thanks again!

[@TjFruichantie]

So great to see you posting a new video! Congrats on the new home!

[@ItsPoppin]

Thanks!

[@popupcamperpro]

Welcome back and congrats on the house with huge garage! We are actively looking for a new home as well, with such accommodations for filming. Looking forward to more content from your channel!

[@ItsPoppin]

Thanks guys!

[@psahadi]

I like. Yes cover all the check list and do a check walk around. Also never be in a rush our hurry that’s when things get done wrong. Great video now time for me to order a sweater for my next trip 😀

[@ItsPoppin]

It won’t disappoint!

[@ericsurprenant2110]

Hey thanks for the video! My tires say 50psi Max, so should i fill them to that level or lower

[@JPbuckeye1]

Man these videos have been a great help!! Do you have social media where I can reach out with some questions I have about our camper?

[@AdventuresinPopUps]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 --> See what I did there, CLAPping.... Nice video as always. Love the idea of having an acronym. CLAW doesn't make sense, but Walk around could be the final step... 🤔🤷‍♀️ Just a half baked thought from your pop-up friends over here. 😄

[@ItsPoppin]

Ha, good one!

[@ramos4425]

Welcome back! And congrats on the new house. I subscribed late last year, new to the pop-up camping world. Bought a Jayco 1209SC a few months ago & have minor repairs. Yet found water damage on floor & will replace 1’ x1’ wood piece soon, didn’t see this during inspection. Love your descriptive videos, found the BAL wheel lift/stabilizer on eBay & works great. Btw, the break away cable link does not work for me. By any chance do you have a link for the cable and (quality) break away switch? Thx, Jerry

[@ItsPoppin]

Sorry about that, should be fixed now.

[@largehit713]

Been watching for a bit. Picking up my pop up on Thursday . 12 year old is stoked .

[@ItsPoppin]

Congrats, what make/model?

[@largehit713]

@@ItsPoppin 2022 Forest River 1640 LTD. Enough for me and the boy. Too old to sleep on the ground anymore . Lol

[@cowania]

@@largehit713 we have a 2008 1640 LTD :) we LOVE it. The perfect size for our family of three. Enjoy your new camper!!

[@largehit713]

@@cowania Ty! We will!

[@largehit713]

Got it home and waiting for a good day to practice setting and taking down. Thanks for the vids.

[@wbelford1]

"Mnemonic" .... just sayin! LOL. Sorry, I couldn't resist. And one thing I'm sure you do but I don't think you mentioned, when checking tire pressures, that MUST include your spare tire as well. Love your videos so much. Thank you for all of them.

[@ItsPoppin]

Good catch, thanks! 🙏

[@courtneyoneal8845]

Do you have a video that covers what we need to do/know for going on long trips with a pop up? Let's say 4 hrs or more away from home for 7 days or more?

[@BigBryan89]

Hey! Can you possibly do a quick video on your Yakima rack that you have installed on your trailer? We have been looking for one for our bikes. Thanks! Love all the videos, they have been super helpful!

[@ItsPoppin]

So we didn’t install it, but it’s bolted right through the roof. I wouldn’t recommend an install like that due to the propensity for water to get in without staying on top of sealing it, which is exactly what happened. I know some make and models of pop ups have a built in track system for roof racks, which would be the way to go without compromising the roof itself.

[@BigBryan89]

@@ItsPoppin ah ok. That’s exactly what I was trying to avoid. I couldn’t tell from the video. It’s hard to find somthing that isn’t as invasive as a roof rack for the trailer to transport our bikes since we tow our trailer with a minivan. Thanks for the quick reply!

[@larryherring445]

It’s also a good time to check your spare tire.

[@ramos4425]

Hello, It’s Popping Guy (sorry I don’t know your first name looked at several videos did not hear it), Thank you for updating the breakaway chain-link. However I really wanted the breakaway chain with the actual box activator. Do you have the link so I can help support your channel? Every little bit helps. On and aside yet camper related, what type of GPS do you recommend to keep track of the pop-up in case it is stolen? I live in Southern California just read a really sad article where someone had the fifth wheel toy hauler stolen one week ago at A local storage facility. It was caught on camera the thief had a U-Haul truck with tow hitch yet no license plate and of course the guy was well covered up in the video. Just wondered what you have found to be the best hopefully low cost GPS device perhaps Independent of the battery since they can just unplug it. Or if anyone else in this community can share what they do in terms of GPS tracking. Don’t mean to sound paranoid just want to be prepared. Thanks, Jerry

[@PARelicHunters]

Did you install the electric tongue jack or did it come with it?

[@ItsPoppin]

No, it came with it. It’s effortless to use, but painfully slow in my opinion.

[@PARelicHunters]

@@ItsPoppin Are you considering, replacing the striping on the sides? I did mine and it looks brand new again.

[@ItsPoppin]

We plan on taking it off

[@paulg9042]

Out of curiosity, do you inspect the brakes yourself or do you bring it out for servicing?

[@ItsPoppin]

We do if ourself. The only thing We outsource is mounting tires to rims. But, thank you for the reminder to check our brakes before we get going for the season!🙏

[@paulg9042]

@@ItsPoppin Thanks. We bought a used one at the end of last season with 10k on it. I figured I'd have it looked at then tend to myself later.