Thank you, thank you ....... really appreciate you following this up for me.  I look foward to seeing a picture of it.   

Many thanks,  Franniemac

hako wrote:

---

There is a bloke in Wondai (Qld) who makes a steel winch which consists of a leg about 1.5m long and hollow with a sliding length of steel inside the leg that is attached to the winch. At the top of the sliding length of steel is a peg which slots into a hole drilled near the rear and of the front lift up panel. The pin is engaged and the winch handle turned raising the panel(s).
We met a lady from the Avan Club (Jill) when staying at Cowra who has one of these devices - said she got it from a bloke in Wondai who makes them for about $150. As luck will have it, she now is in the same park as us in Tumut, so I'll see if I can get a pic of the device and post. It would be no trouble for a handyman/handywoman to fabricate one.

---

 This is just the sort of thing I was hoping for Dennis .......  Ta!!

Not ever owning one of these vans, can i ask is it some kind of problem they have regarding lifting the roof ,as i have noticed solo people having all kinds of trouble trying to get the roof up, it dosn't appear to be such a problem with there is two people putting it up.

This is the email I sent RV Airlifters last night, and the reply I had today. [Sounds promising.]

Cheers,

Sheba.

-------- Original message -------- Subject: Avan.To: info@rvairlifters.com.au CC:

herbie wrote:

---

Not ever owning one of these vans, can i ask is it some kind of problem they have regarding lifting the roof ,as i have noticed solo people having all kinds of trouble trying to get the roof up, it dosn't appear to be such a problem with there is two people putting it up.

---

 Very true herbie, it helps if you have one person on each side both lifting at the same time.

Depends on how fit and strong each person is, also the condition of the bungee cords and corner springs inside the van, in older vans they have weakened over time and may need replacing.

When you nearly have the main side up and are lifting the other side into it, you also need a final "push" to get the smaller side to "home" into the top of the larger side (a bit more grunt and momentum in other words).....

herbie wrote:

---

Not ever owning one of these vans, can i ask is it some kind of problem they have regarding lifting the roof ,as i have noticed solo people having all kinds of trouble trying to get the roof up, it dosn't appear to be such a problem with there is two people putting it up.

---

 Agree with your observations Herbie. 

The Avan Cruiseliner  roof is heavier than the other Avan Models.  My wife finds it difficult put ours up by herself she has arthritis and is a bit weak in the arms, but I have no problem  pushing the roof up.  She can push it up though with broom handle.

I have built a winch lifting rig for Ellie to use if ever I  am incapacitated for some reason.  We rarely use it.  Sorry I have not got a picture of it rigged.   The Avan Club  has members with  simmilar winch and gas strut rigs fitted. Be well worth sussing them out and perhaps joining you State Branch.  You would get loads of info from the Club.

 But it sounds like yours is impossible to lift.     I would be getting an Avan agent to check out the spings that assist the roof to go up. There is one in each corner of the van at the roof hinge.  They might be the wrong springs,   or maybe suffering from fatigue.

Regards

Mike and Ellie

elliemike wrote:

---

The Avan Cruiseliner  roof is heavier than the other Avan Models.  My wife finds it difficult put ours up by herself she has arthritis and is a bit weak in the arms, but I have no problem  pushing the roof up.  She can push it up though with broom handle.

 I have built a winch lifting rig for Ellie to use if ever I  am incapacitated for some reason.  We rarely use it.  Sorry I have not got a picture of it rigged.   The Avan Club  has members with  simmilar winch and gas strut rigs fitted. Be well worth sussing them out and perhaps joining you State Branch.  You would get loads of info from the Club.

 But it sounds like yours is impossible to lift.     I would be getting an Avan agent to check out the spings that assist the roof to go up. There is one in each corner of the van at the roof hinge.  They might be the wrong springs,   or maybe suffering from fatigue.

---

 I would just like to strongly support Mike and Ellies suggestion about joining an Avan Club branch, the cheapest RV club in Australia to the best of my knowledge.   Even if you are not a club person, going along to the odd club rally will give you the chance to see what others have done and compare notes etc.  

I am guessing Mike and Ellie belong to the WA branch of the Avan club of Australia, this is the branch I was in for 7 years and one of the best clubs I have been in and a great bunch of members.  And remember, if travelling Oz you can go to any rally of any branch in the area you are in, you are given a club diary for all of the clubs and contact numbers etc.   This is also shown on the website for members. 

The club is a separate entity and has no connection with Avan Australia the sellers of Avans, however they did help the club to begin and do support the National Rally with a financial contribution.   This started by members when Avan Australia was making A shaped camper trailers (or folding caravans if you like) and over the years the majority of members have voted at Annual AGM's to keep it in it's original form, ie; for Avan camper trailers only.  see; http://www.avanclubaust.org.au/481/History/ 

 Bear in mind that a lot of hard work by members to start and organise this club, and they have every right to keep it they way if the majority of their members want it to be.  If others want a club for Avan caravans or motorhomes they are free to do as this club has done to form a branch and put in the hard yard.  

This club was the NSW Branch (Central Coast) who decided to form a separate club for all types of A'van products after their proposal for all types of Avans to be in the club was defeated by majority vote at an AGM (I was present when this happened).  This is their club website;  http://www.sccavanners.com/ 

FYI

hako wrote:

---

OK - try the link below - I've uploaded 4 pics with no description as I'm having problems with my el-cheapo Amaysim data card (which surprisingly does work sometimes in Tumut).
The dude in Wondai who made this one is Trevor Holt....he is a member of the Avan Club.....Jill also told me that someone else is making one but no info on that one.
I'll see if I can did deeper but see how you go with these pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=102241418400979450772&target=ALBUM&id=5856613570375513425&authkey=Gv1sRgCK3QpYi-s9umLQ&feat=email

---

 Dennis, you are gold!!!    Thank you so much.  I've downloaded the photos.  In the last photo, is that a bracket that the lifter hooks into?  I now have a phone number for the man who makes these so will contact him now.  Hope he can courier one to me. 

Many thanks,

Franniemac

elliemike wrote:

---

The Avan Cruiseliner  roof is heavier than the other Avan Models.  My wife finds it difficult put ours up by herself she has arthritis and is a bit weak in the arms, but I have no problem  pushing the roof up.  She can push it up though with broom handle.

 

I have built a winch lifting rig for Ellie to use if ever I  am incapacitated for some reason.  We rarely use it.  Sorry I have not got a picture of it rigged.   The Avan Club  has members with  simmilar winch and gas strut rigs fitted. Be well worth sussing them out and perhaps joining you State Branch.  You would get loads of info from the Club.

 But it sounds like yours is impossible to lift.     I would be getting an Avan agent to check out the spings that assist the roof to go up. There is one in each corner of the van at the roof hinge.  They might be the wrong springs,   or maybe suffering from fatigue.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Many thanks Mike and Ellie.

A couple of men have each put up the roof without any trouble, so it seems that it's me, rather than the van. I will get the bungees replaced though.

 

Cheers,  Franniemac

 

 

Regards

Mike and Ellie

---

Duh wrote:

---

elliemike wrote:

---

The Avan Cruiseliner  roof is heavier than the other Avan Models.  My wife finds it difficult put ours up by herself she has arthritis and is a bit weak in the arms, but I have no problem  pushing the roof up.  She can push it up though with broom handle.

 I have built a winch lifting rig for Ellie to use if ever I  am incapacitated for some reason.  We rarely use it.  Sorry I have not got a picture of it rigged.   The Avan Club  has members with  simmilar winch and gas strut rigs fitted. Be well worth sussing them out and perhaps joining you State Branch.  You would get loads of info from the Club.

 But it sounds like yours is impossible to lift.     I would be getting an Avan agent to check out the spings that assist the roof to go up. There is one in each corner of the van at the roof hinge.  They might be the wrong springs,   or maybe suffering from fatigue.

---

 I would just like to strongly support Mike and Ellies suggestion about joining an Avan Club branch, the cheapest RV club in Australia to the best of my knowledge.   Even if you are not a club person, going along to the odd club rally will give you the chance to see what others have done and compare notes etc.  

I am guessing Mike and Ellie belong to the WA branch of the Avan club of Australia, this is the branch I was in for 7 years and one of the best clubs I have been in and a great bunch of members.  And remember, if travelling Oz you can go to any rally of any branch in the area you are in, you are given a club diary for all of the clubs and contact numbers etc.   This is also shown on the website for members. 

The club is a separate entity and has no connection with Avan Australia the sellers of Avans, however they did help the club to begin and do support the National Rally with a financial contribution.   This started by members when Avan Australia was making A shaped camper trailers (or folding caravans if you like) and over the years the majority of members have voted at Annual AGM's to keep it in it's original form, ie; for Avan camper trailers only.  see; http://www.avanclubaust.org.au/481/History/ 

 Bear in mind that a lot of hard work by members to start and organise this club, and they have every right to keep it they way if the majority of their members want it to be.  If others want a club for Avan caravans or motorhomes they are free to do as this club has done to form a branch and put in the hard yard.  

This club was the NSW Branch (Central Coast) who decided to form a separate club for all types of A'van products after their proposal for all types of Avans to be in the club was defeated by majority vote at an AGM (I was present when this happened).  This is their club website;  http://www.sccavanners.com/ 

FYI

---

 Yes, I'm posting off my application form today .......

Franniemac

Well done Franniemac, you won't regret it!

franniemac wrote:

---

hako wrote:

---

OK - try the link below - I've uploaded 4 pics with no description as I'm having problems with my el-cheapo Amaysim data card (which surprisingly does work sometimes in Tumut).
The dude in Wondai who made this one is Trevor Holt....he is a member of the Avan Club.....Jill also told me that someone else is making one but no info on that one.
I'll see if I can did deeper but see how you go with these pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=102241418400979450772&target=ALBUM&id=5856613570375513425&authkey=Gv1sRgCK3QpYi-s9umLQ&feat=email

---

 Dennis, you are gold!!!    Thank you so much.  I've downloaded the photos.  In the last photo, is that a bracket that the lifter hooks into?  I now have a phone number for the man who makes these so will contact him now.  Hope he can courier one to me. 

 

Many thanks,

 

Franniemac

---

 Thanks from me too Dennis, I am sure others will appreciate the pic's also

franniemac wrote:

---

---

 Dennis, you are gold!!!    Thank you so much.  I've downloaded the photos.  In the last photo, is that a bracket that the lifter hooks into?  I now have a phone number for the man who makes these so will contact him now.  Hope he can courier one to me. 

 

Many thanks,

 

Franniemac

---

Correct - the lifter hooks to the bracket.

Regards

Duh wrote:

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Well done Franniemac, you won't regret it!

 

---

 And the same from me and Ellie

Good Morning 

I know this is request was quite a few years ago, but I have just purchased an Avan Cruiseliner about 2011 model and also finding it a bit hard to  put up the top, as I am short and not very strong in the arms and shoulders. I was hoping you may be able to assist me with what your outcome was and if you had any success. I also read about a man at Wondai in Queensland who had made up a device and I am also trying to find out a little more on that. I am sure most ladies would be having a bit of trouble lifting the top. I am currently using a ladder but it is still heavy.

Hoping I may be able to get some help from someone with an Avan/

Thanks

Frannie wrote:

---

Good Morning 

I know this is request was quite a few years ago, but I have just purchased an Avan Cruiseliner about 2011 model and also finding it a bit hard to  put up the top, as I am short and not very strong in the arms and shoulders. I was hoping you may be able to assist me with what your outcome was and if you had any success. I also read about a man at Wondai in Queensland who had made up a device and I am also trying to find out a little more on that. I am sure most ladies would be having a bit of trouble lifting the top. I am currently using a ladder but it is still heavy.

Hoping I may be able to get some help from someone with an Avan/

Thanks

 

---

 There are various ways of adding lifting aids to the Avan Roof Sections.   But first I would suggest making sure the Roof Springs  (The roof lifting springs one at each corner of the van)  are not in need of replacement.   They do lose their SPRING due to the roof sections being closed all the time.   The roof will almost spring up when they are new.  Adding Solar panels to the roof sections as well adds more weight of course. 

As in the previous posts I would suggest joining an Avan Club  Very cheap club to belong to,    and you will find all the advice and help you need.

Avan Club Australia has a website but it is closed to members only.

http://www.avanclubaust.org.au/ 

There are about 5 + roof lifting aids on there to see.  I wont Copy and Post the articles as they belong to members who might object to me doing that.  

There is also an American Avan Club Site you can access    

 http://alinerownersclub.org/

Some stuff on there 

Mike

WA Avan Club

G'Day Frannie, welcome to the forum - in addition the elliemike's great advice, I'd suggest that the winding device as purchased by franniemac would be the way to go. Springs will sag and bungee cords stretch but in my humble opinion you need a mechanical device such as the one mentioned. Replacing the springs and bungee cord will be expensive.
As luck has it, we have a friend from Wondai visiting us tomorrow and I will see if she knows Trevor Holt - will update.
Regards

EDIT....I just checked franniemac's page and she visited this forum yesterday - maybe you could send her a PM about the lifting device.

hako wrote:

---

G'Day Frannie, welcome to the forum - in addition the elliemike's great advice, I'd suggest that the winding device as purchased by franniemac would be the way to go. Springs will sag and bungee cords stretch but in my humble opinion you need a mechanical device such as the one mentioned. Replacing the springs and bungee cord will be expensive.
As luck has it, we have a friend from Wondai visiting us tomorrow and I will see if she knows Trevor Holt - will update.
Regards

 

EDIT....I just checked franniemac's page and she visited this forum yesterday - maybe you could send her a PM about the lifting device.

-- Edited by hako on Saturday 6th of February 2016 10:09:00 PM

---

 I think Trevor Holt may have stopped making the roof lifter.   There are also Pneumatic Bag lifters available.

Re Bungee Cord replacement. I can change them in about 90 minutes by myself.   Changed 4 springs on my cruiseliner  in two hours with a friend.    Also changed them on another Avan for a friend.   Not all that hard a job.   But I would not be sure what the caravan repair people would charge for doing it.

The new Springs make a difference.  The one we did for a friend (Solo Lady)  was  harder for her to fold down when we'd finished.  No problems putting it up though.