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Initial Preparation

How We Prep A New Flagstaff Pop-up Camper

When a new camper arrives from the factory the camper is not yet ready for camping. Besides adding water, propane, and your gear there are a few tasks that must be completed before heading out for the first time. We also recommend a few extra steps (detailed below) to help make your Flagstaff camper just a bit better than it was from the factory.

NOTE: Not all Flagstaff (or Rockwood) dealers prep their campers the same way so we thought this information would be good for everybody to know. However, if you purchased a Flagstaff from us we already completed all of the following tasks prior to delivery.

What needs to be done:

  • Hang the privacy curtains on the appropriate track and secure the tie-backs for all curtains, if applicable. (T-series excluded)
  • Hang shower curtains, if applicable.
  • Install the propane rack and propane tank(s).
  • Install the battery pack and hook-up a battery (battery not provided by the factory).
  • Install the winch cover (on hand-crank lift system campers).
  • Place the tire cover on the spare tire.
  • Assemble awning if not already installed; install on rail and install pole brackets. (T-series excluded)
  • Remove the instruction manuals from various appliances.
  • Place water filter into filter canister.*
  • Fill the water tank and check system for any loose fittings/leaks.
  • Fill the propane tanks and check for any leaks.
  • Make sure smoke detector battery is installed properly; test smoke detector.
  • Test propane/carbon monoxide detector.
  • Check tire pressure.

Extra things we do (and recommend):

  • Cut the travel door weatherstrip at a 45-degree angle.
  • Add 110 adapter to the power cord.
  • Add power drill attachment.
    (The camper comes with a hand crank for the stabilizing jacks, but a cordless drill is a LOT faster.)
  • Add spare fuses.
  • Add elbow adapter (to shower units).
  • Add bigger awning stakes (if applicable).
  • Install Group 27 battery pack.
    The factory includes a Group 24 battery box. We prefer the Group 27 battery because more amps = more power and more power is a good thing to have.
  • Add fuse holder to the positive line attached to the battery pack.
    This allows the battery to be easily disconnected during storage as well as providing fuse protection for the battery during normal operation.
  • Tighten sink retainers.
  • Add two jam nuts to the spare tire holder.**
  • Add jam nut to dual propane rack (if applicable).

All of the above items will have been already done when purchasing a new camper or used rental camper from us.

*This applies to hot-water systems only and only if you want to use the water filter. Because the water filter decreases water pressure some folks choose to not use the filter.

**Some campers' spare tire holder's bolts do not have enough length to thread on a jam nut. For those campers we recommend using blue Loctite.

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