First Time Owner - Yikes!

[Phinster1965]

Couldn't pass-up a Jayco J 1008 DD for $250.00. Now the fun starts. Never had an RV or camper - pretty excited, but we have a lot of work to do. The roof lift system is not operational, the canvas is rough (usable, but will need to be replaced). The electrical systems are questionable (that is the one piece I will leave to professionals!). Tons of cosmetic work to do. But the running gear is solid, and so is the floor. I can handle replacing woodwork and cabinets. The cushions are shockingly good (but not pretty - will need to be recovered). My wife and I are excited for the challenge, and we can't wait to get this thing fixed-up the way we want it. Feel free to throw me any advice you have about ANYTHING - I have zero experience with this thing. But $250.00? How could I not by it!

[oldmanAZ]

Welcome to the forum and to RVing!

There are several members here that have or are doing what you have in mind. Hopefully they will be able offer suggestions when you run into a snag.

[Desert RVers]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new to you Jayco! It looks like it's in great shape. Pop-ups are so much fun! What a great way to start RV'ing. Our first one was a pop-up as well, we loved it. There is a bunch of great information on the forum here. May I also recommend another website (I hope its ok for me to do this? fwiw, I'm not affiliated with them in any way other than being a member), it's called RV itch and they have many great forums. But I think the majority of activity is on the pop-up forums. I've read many threads there about restoring old units and where to find parts & canvas companies, etc. Here is their link ( RV Itch - Index )
Have fun and keep us posted with your progress. Pictures too!

[pop up pilot]

This looks like a great project, and this forum has provided me with some great resources. I am on my second popup and have made repairs/improvements to them both. I replaced some of the canvas on my first one, and cleaned up some electrical and plumbing issues. On my current one, I added a battery monitor, a rear view camera, repaired the roof vent fan, and added a low point valve to the water tank. I know the adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it" but I always want my popup to serve my family as good or better than when it left the factory. While doing this, i discovered some startling things, such as someone had worked on the exterior shower, and when they reinstalled it, they didn't bother with any kind of seal between the unit and the exterior wall. I hope you get lots of enjoyment our of your restoration, as then next step is even better: camping!

[robkelly]

Welcome! Sounds like a great, and fun, project

[jaycojay]

i wish i had the time, and the place, to do the same .... would love to restore an old Jayco pop-up

[Camper_bob]

OP, welcome to the forum, and keep showing the progress of your project!

I've pondered a similar project for my son and I as he grows up some. We have the travel trailer, but I think it would be a neat project to restore/upgrade a popup for some more "off the beaten path" adventures on down the road. LOTS of "teaching moments" during a restoration project for a youngster!

[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

OP, welcome to the forum, and keep showing the progress of your project!

I've pondered a similar project for my son and I as he grows up some. We have the travel trailer, but I think it would be a neat project to restore/upgrade a popup for some more "off the beaten path" adventures on down the road. LOTS of "teaching moments" during a restoration project for a youngster!

Camper Bob, that is exactly how I got started. My Dad hooked me up with a deal on an old used pop-up that a friend of his had. I think I paid $300 for it. The idea was to build a rig for some "off the beaten path" stuff since I off-road a lot and have had a couple of vehicles with mods for extreme off-roading and "rock crawling". My pop-up was the perfect combination of lightweight towable and low center of gravity. He and I learned a lot together restoring and 'modding' it out to make it compatible for getting out of the way. When completed, it had new rubberized and insulated waterproof canvass (which added to the weight), skid plates protecting certain undercarriage areas, was lifted to accommodate 15 inch light truck off road tires for ground clearance. It was a fun project and a great way for me to get into owning working on an RV.

[North of 49°]

Enjoy your "new" camper!

If you're looking to replace the canvas, I suggest giving Bear Creek Canvas a call. I've never used them, but I have heard good things. They specialize in new canvas for pop-ups. It might be worth looking into.

[bdreinv]

I would invest in a new set of tires, maybe spare tire to.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by NVGun40

Camper Bob, that is exactly how I got started. My Dad hooked me up with a deal on an old used pop-up that a friend of his had. I think I paid $300 for it. The idea was to build a rig for some "off the beaten path" stuff since I off-road a lot and have had a couple of vehicles with mods for extreme off-roading and "rock crawling". My pop-up was the perfect combination of lightweight towable and low center of gravity. He and I learned a lot together restoring and 'modding' it out to make it compatible for getting out of the way. When completed, it had new rubberized and insulated waterproof canvass (which added to the weight), skid plates protecting certain undercarriage areas, was lifted to accommodate 15 inch light truck off road tires for ground clearance. It was a fun project and a great way for me to get into owning working on an RV.

HA!! That's exactly what I was thinking for us! I was thinking I could grab an old beater, and lift it a little and make some O/R mods and we could get into some really deep places with it. It's really a dream of mine, so we'll see what we can do. He's only 2, so we have a little time. I'm also thinking a Jeep restore might be on the plate for us, but I might have to choose one or the other. DW wants the Jeep to tow behind her dream MH. I drove one when we first started dating back in college, and getting one to restore/mod has always been a dream of hers (she has no interest in a pop-up, that would just be for me and my son).