If you love retractable and space-saving RVs, then you must have heard about pop-up campers. These vehicles are an efficient way to manage space inside the RV.
Generally, pop-up campers are a good investment. Often, RV lovers worry about how long a pop-up camper can last. The answer to that is based on how well you maintain the truck and your will to invest.
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Why Pop-up Campers
Pop-up campers are convenient for numerous reasons, such as:
- Comfortable camping while facing towing limitations
- Convenient setup and space-saving
- Ideal for lightweight camping
Although pop-up campers are very useful, there is a price for everything. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether pop-up canvas lasts long, and what the cost analysis is if we want to change the canvas.
This article will summarize the ‘whats’ and ‘nots’ while replacing a canvas. Hence, it will be easier to analyze the cost needed for canvas replacement.
Cost of Canvas Replacement
For a useful analysis, let’s break things down into the factors that affect your replacement cost.
Self-Job or Expert Service
It’s easy to fall into the DIY trap. While I’m not against it, I also think it’s better to take professional help for canvas replacement.
Experienced RV travelers often try the DIY technique. However, if you’re new to it, the job may take too much time, i.e., it may be a couple of days.
It depends on your skill level. If you do it all-right, your job can end in three to four hours too.
On the other hand, many services are offering cheap replacement packages. These experts can complete a full-replacement job in less than an hour. Also, they provide a free fixing job as a guarantee for their work.
If you want to save some energy and time, it’s better to seek professional help. It can cost up to $500, but the results will be satisfactory.
For older campers, the designs are much more straightforward, so replacement charges are lesser. It may cost about $300.
Do You Need Full Canvas Replacement?
In most cases, you may not need a full canvas replacement. It’s often some part of the canvas that you need to get rid of. Several factors weigh in:
- Mildew and mold growth
- Tears in untreated canvas
- Breaking zippers and seals
- Rot in canvas because of extended use
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight
- Extreme weather conditions such as dryness and humidity
- Possible accidents and damages
If you see, you may not often need a full canvas replacement. It’s usually about parts such as zippers and seals that wear down with time. Therefore, you can only repair these small issues if it doesn’t cost you more than a couple of hundred bucks.
When to Replace the Canvas
If you’re buying a new camper, you won’t need a replacement for a few years. However, when you purchase an old trailer, it is better to invest in a new canvas straightaway.
Pop-up Camper Canvas Price
Many companies offer fewer prices for bulk buying. However, you won’t need to buy canvas in bulk unless you own an RV rental service. If you don’t have other RVers who want to change their canvas, you will have to buy a slightly higher price.
Now, canvas prices can range from $1100 to $1800 depending on the brand, design, quality, and durability. To elaborate further, I have listed some of the top canvas products here.
If you own an old camper, the prices are around $1000 at most. However, newer models have more design complexity, and material quality is comparably better. Therefore, they can usually cost about $1500 or more.
Canvas Replacement Services
It’s time to look at some of the top canvas replacement services. These are outstanding services providing quality replacement jobs with canvas.
Fabricover
Fabricover provides comprehensive solutions for canvas replacements, interior and exterior truck covers, and more. It also deals with custom covers and canvas. The company is in Idaho, providing solutions for all types of campers and RVs.
The pricing ranges between $1250 to $1700, depending upon your preferred items. If you want to do a DIY job, you can order the awning fabrics that can cost up to nearly $572. There are bundles of products for RVs to make your vehicles as good as new.
- Replacement job up to three slideouts.
- The most expensive replacement job costs $1699 for Coleman campers with two slideouts.
- Three canvas colors available
Canvas Replacements
The company is renowned for providing replacement solutions. There is a lot of variety in terms of price and canvas types. Therefore, it’s easier for customers to choose from their price range. Generally, the replacement cost ranges from $1025 to $1500.
In addition to canvas replacement, the company also provides solutions for campers’ interior and exterior, lift systems, camper care, and roof parts. Overall, it’s an efficient solution provider for trailers.
- Replacements jobs for up to 3 slideouts
- Most expensive pricing of $1475 for Coleman Avalon and Rockwood three slideout models.
Bear Creek Canvas
Bear Creek Canvas is probably the best of the lot in terms of pricing. The replacement prices start from $975 and go up to $1100. Also, they provide several discounts with high-quality services and material.
The only downside is the lack of variety in canvas colors. However, the replacement job is reliable.
Bear Creek offers replacement services for all renowned brands with a significant price difference of nearly $100. It’s one of the reasons to go to this company. It also provides solutions for interior maintenance and covering solutions to keep your camper fresh and lively.
- The maximum service price of $1100 for Apache and Rockwood campers with two slideouts
- Replacement jobs for up to four slideouts
- Three canvas colors
Saving Canvas Cost
There’s one effective way to save on canvas replacement. If you want full value for money, it’s essential to take good care of your camper canvas. By doing so, you may eke out a couple more years with your camper with lesser repairs.
Here are some useful tips:
Dry and Wet Canvas
Pop-up campers tend to tear or shrink when folded wet. Therefore, unless your canvas is completely dry, do not close or store. It often happens when you’re camping in rain.
It’s easy to think that the air might have dried off the dampness. In such situations, give it a few extra hours to dry and then pack.
Clean Your Canvas
Cleaning never goes in vain. When you regularly clean the canvas, you eliminate the chances of mold growth, which is one of the biggest reasons why canvases turn bad. Therefore, scheduling a weekly cleaning job can be very useful.
Moreover, you can use vinyl coating sprays and waterproofing chemicals for extra protection and color preservation.
Inside Cleaning is Important!
Although the outer canvas is more vulnerable to damage, the inner canvas also needs attention. Especially if you cook inside the camper, the canvas is likely to catch dirt and carbon.
Therefore, you can use regular soap and water for cleaning. Please do not use chemicals, especially bleach, because it roughens the surface causing permanent damage. Specialized canvas sprays are also useful for this purpose.
Extra Drying Time
When not in use, you can put your canvas under the sun for better drying. It also gets rids of any mold and odor from the canvas.
The idea is to fully open the canvas and give some more air and heat. Especially if you live in humid climates, a regular drying exercise can be critical for your canvas.
Sun Protection
If your canvas use is frequent, it will need enough resting time too. Therefore, when not in use, make sure that the canvas is stored in a dry and shaded area. With extra sunlight, there will always be more need for maintenance.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, a pop-up camper canvas price can vary according to the use, maintenance, and preferred services and brands. If you want peace of mind and quality service, it is always the right option to take professional help while replacing the canvas.
It will be a one-time job, but it will guarantee the results. Moreover, you get some useful tips and added services from the professionals regarding canvas care. It’s good to explore the accessories such as internal covers, RV tire covers, external shades, and heat proofing solutions.
If you’re after a reliable canvas replacement job, it can cost you around $1100 to $1800. Unless you want something too luxurious, the range of cost is manageable for a cost-friendly camping experience with your pop-up camper.
