Roo 183s and Pop Up Gizmos...+ mods....

[LIW]

I am trading my Coachman Freedom Express 21tqx (3 bed) for a new 24 Roo 183 - wondering 2 things....

1. with the new clamp that runs across the top of the bunk, how do i clamp the top of my Pop Up Gizmos (PUGs)? or what do i clamp it to?

2. Should i have any issues using the 21TQX sized PUGs on the Roo183? Guessing the front bed PUG may be a little big but i'm not thinking this should be a problem?

3. I notice on these newer Roo 183s, there is a natural opening at the bottom of the bunk closest to the camper when the bed is unfolded, due to the sealing of the bed tenting - does anyone have any modifications they use to close up that opening so nothing goes in there or for insulation purposes in warm/cold weather?

[Rhumblefish]

Howdee, LIW, and welcome to the Roo side of things!

1. I believe PUGs now offer two options for mounting: clip mount and velcro mount. Clip mounting ships with some spring clips (like industrial clothespins) that clip onto the top hardware. You can check their website and pick up something similar online or in-person from a big-box hardware store.

Velcro mount PUGs ship with a long strip of 2" velcro to attach to the inside lip of the bunk end. This stuff is also readily available online. All pugs should have loop velcro stitched on, so if you choose to - you can attach the velcro to the inside lip of the bunk opening. Benefit is that you can leave the PUGs attached when you fold the bunk closed and close the bunk end, no matter WHAT clamp style you have. (This is how we do it, btw).

If your pugs have the elastic lines with clips, i suggest gathering them on each side to a single inexpensive (!) aluminum or plastic carabiner - two per tent end. This lets you clip/unclip the two carabiners together underneath the bunk when setting up/taking down - pretty fast.

2. You might give Popup Gizmos a call to see how your 21TQX pugs will fit the ROO bunks. Typically the difference is tha the front bunk is bigger/longer than the back bunk, to accommodate the longer distance from the sloped front end to the leading edge of the PUG, vs the shorter distance from the flat back of the coach to the trailing edge of the back PUG.

3. The newest Roos feature permanently attached tenting that is sealed around the edge of the bunk door, there is only the most negligible gap at the lower corner, where the tending turns 90° from the door end to the leading face of the trailer. I wouldn't be concerned with this - the thin vinyl fabric itself will be a much bigger source of heat/cold transmission in the weather. People have made inserts out of Reflectix (some have covered these inserts in fleece material), and we've even had an inexpensive roll of the stuff that we deployed around the outer edge in very cold/winter camping.

We've since purchased PUG's insulated liner (it's like oven mitt material) and I'm looking forward to installing that next.

Just my .02. Hope this helps!

[GalsofEscape]

there is also PUG ears and PUG paws. PUG ears attach to the outside of the camper and provide an attachment point for the top string/rope of the PUG. PUG paws are a way to tie down the other strings under the bed. I don't use the paws (I found a carabiner works just a well and does not need to be permanently attached) but have found the ears to be awesome.

[Chuck_S]

I'm still covering my tentage with my antique but in perfect shape 22-year old 2002 gizmos from my Coleman Bayside popup. These are held on by the original orange color binder clips.

Both covers are oversized for the Roo beds. So what?, they work. Spend your money on something else.

-- Chuck

[LIW]

This is really helpful. The PUG ears would make things much easier for us - we've been fighting with clips and ladders for years, so this would be a welcome tool and i'd probably use the PUGs more often.

Currently our top end has velcro (think for pop up campers) but we've been clipping the top for years. Do i need to add a cord or something to the top to then coil it around the PUG ears? And is there an existing loop or hole at the top to put the cord through?

Appreciate the info....

[GalsofEscape]

Originally Posted by LIW

This is really helpful. The PUG ears would make things much easier for us - we've been fighting with clips and ladders for years, so this would be a welcome tool and i'd probably use the PUGs more often.

Currently our top end has velcro (think for pop up campers) but we've been clipping the top for years. Do i need to add a cord or something to the top to then coil it around the PUG ears? And is there an existing loop or hole at the top to put the cord through?

Appreciate the info....

The ears come with the cord and at least for the superhigh wind PUG, there is a channel at the top that i threaded the cord through (don't know about the other PUG versions). the EARS have a channel that the cord lays in and fits into a slot. a knot in the cord holds the cord in the slot and keeps the PUG tight.

[Rhumblefish]

Originally Posted by LIW

we've been fighting with clips and ladders for years

Reminder that you don't need a ladder...

IF YOU ATTACH WITH VELCRO, you can leave your pugs on, they will fold and deploy with the canvas.

IF YOU ATTACH WITH CLIPS, open the rearmost screen in each tent end BEFORE you deploy the tent. Then just stand on the bunk door THROUGH the tent end and clip your PUGs on. No ladder need apply.

Just my .02. Hope this helps.