When we bought our project pop up camper we knew that we were going to have to replace the canvas. From far away the exterior of our old canvas did not look too bad but once you got close you could see how old our canvas was. First off there were quite a few patches on the wing sections of the canvas. We also noticed some water damage on the inside corners as well which told us they were leaking. The interior portion of the canvas is what made us decide to replace it. None of the windows were working. All the zippers were either sewn or silicon sealed shut. The corners were also sewn together where the Velcro started to fail. The canvas was old, stiff and smelled funny from probably from being 22 years old.
We checked the internet for replacement canvases and all good reviews pointed to Bear Creek Canvas of Spencer, Wisconsin. We spoke to the folks from Bear Creek weeks before our purchase. We had lots of questions and they did not hesitate to answer any of them via phone or email. Bear Creek did not have a pattern for our camper but that didn't stop them. We shipped our old canvas off to them and in less than the 10 week quoted delivery time we had our new canvas back.
I was very excited to receive our new canvas and get it unpacked. The same day we got it, I already had it hanging in our camper and it fit great. I need to stop and say the money we spent on getting a new canvas was well worth it and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again on any future pop up projects. Here are some of the features to upgrading your canvas:
- The new canvas was lighter in weight but just as strong.
- The wings are covered in vinyl instead of coated canvas.
- The canvas is pretreated and requires no additional waterproofing.
- The corner seams were changed from Velcro to heavy duty zippers.
- The wing side tie downs are bungee cords instead of string.
- It came with new metal snaps and an installation tool.
- Windows are triple pane (canvas cover, tinted plastic, and screen) with straps for keeping them in place when unzipped.
Needless to say I am very happy with my new canvas and am looking forward getting out there and camping. Here are some great before and after pictures. Our pop up still needs a little work but we are going to enjoy it some this season and look to finish it in the fall. Luckily our fall season lasts until November in the desert Southwest. Check out these pictures.
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| Old Skamper Pop Up Canvas-1 |
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| Old Skamper Pop Up Canvas-2 |
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| Old Skamper Interior-1 |
As you can see the exterior did not look to bad except for the multiple screen repairs and cuts. That brown stuff on the windows is the spray adhesive that was used to seal extra plastic to the windows. Here are the new canvas pictures.
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| New Skamper Canvas from Bear Creek-1 |
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| New Skamper Canvas from Bear Creek-2 |
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| New Skamper Interior |
