Hi dawa
welcome to the forum
what's a quilt retreat?
Rosie

a quilt retreat is where us crazy gals who are sewaholics get together for a few days for fun and lots of sewing. a couple years ago my friend and i finished off 14 quilts dawa aka gypsy quilter

Hi Gypsy Quilter, welcome to the forum. I'm pretty new here too. I'm heading off on my travels early in February and plan to be up in the centre around June - maybe we'll catch up at the beanie festival. There was a exhibition of beanies from past years at an art gallery where I used to work. The beanies were absolutely amazing. So creative.

It's interesting what you say about getting the pop top up. Although I am committed to leaving on my travels very soon I am still to buy a vehicle. I've been looking at Toyotas and wondering how hard it is get the pop top up. I think I'll try and get a Hi Ace. Like you I don't have the strength I once had due to health issues. I hope you find a way to resolve the problems with the pop top.

OK.. what tracks......didn't see them. the top is spring loaded as far as i can see. dawa aka gypsy quilter

dawa wrote:

---

OK.. what tracks......didn't see them. the top is spring loaded as far as i can see. dawa aka gypsy quilter

---

 Get a small stepladder and stand on it alongside the van.  The tracks are the things that the small wheels on spring loaded cross arms move on,make sure they are clean and spray silicone spray (any hardware shop and some supermarkets) on the top and bottom one, the arms, springs and rollers (wheels) and also where the cross arms meet.

Mine was hard to put up until I cleaned and lubricated the tracks.  Also if it is still hard;

Inside, use a small stool if you have to and use your head and shoulders to start the roof to raise, then it will be a lot easier to lift.

To pull it down, on the pull down handles buy a couple of snap on metal hooks (carabinersJ) from bunnings or boat shop, tie some strong cord or rope to the snap on hooks at each end of the rope and clip onto the two pull handles (one on each) the rope should be long enough to make a skipping rope shaped loop hanging down and short enough to finish hanging about 8inches above the floor.    After attaching the snap on's with the rope to the two handles, put one foot on the rope (like a stirrup) and at the same time hang onto the handles, push down with your foot and at the same time pull down with your hands.   Take snap hooks off pull down handles and store rope/hooks for next time.

 

 

-- Edited by Vic on Monday 26th of December 2011 07:08:11 PM

Hi Dawa

I had a thread going on this issue as I had huge trouble lifting my caravan poptop the first time I took it out.

The good outcome of that was I got the bloke parked next to me to help me out and he ended up cooking me dinner and it was a fantastic introduction to the travelling lifestyle.

I have not yet cleaned my tracks but opted for gas struts because I believed the poptop was still going to be a problem because of the caravans age and build - much heavier than modern vans - and they were fairly cheap to install - about $650 all up. Now that I have had solar panels fitted I have to get stronger struts on the front end which won't cost me anything because the place that fitted them said to try the lighter struts and they would replace them if they weren't strong enough.

Happy Wanderer has a hiace so I expect she will make a comment on here soon.

It's a good tip to stand on a stool - that makes all the difference.

Yeoeleven also has a hiace so I'm sure he will have something to add.

In your case I think cleaning the tracks will make a big difference.

Good luck

The top can be hard to raise, just make sure that all the clips are off. Mine has 4 inside but I have seen them on some outside I am taller than some but I still get my shoulders under when popping it up. You won't get at the side supports for lubrication and cleaning until the top is raised.

My problem was getting the clips on after dropping the top when a new canvas was fitted recently. I have had to remove the elastic drawband fitted to pull the canvas in when dropping the top, it was pulling the canvas across the clips making it hard to secure.

John

Hello and welcome Dawa. When the top is up check the runners which as others have said are along the bottom of the cross bars. I found on mine most of the wheels were broken and needed replacing.
Also grease or oil the runners and other pieces as needed as others have suggested on here. it makes a heck of a difference.
I like Vic's idea of the foot cable for extra help in getting pop top down, great idea and putting the pop top up you really need to use head and shoulders for a bit of force but it is only till it gives way then the rest goes up with quite a woosh.
I do have outside clamps as well as found it was getting a bit warped and they hold it straight and in place when its down and in place.

I have had both arms broken a couple of years ago, not putting pop top up, lol, and do have shoulder problems and can still manage quite well to get my pop top up and back down even with now weak arms. No different to the force needed to swing myself into the drivers seat really.

Mine comes down OK but going up is totally beyond me. Working on another way as well as cleaning and oiling etc. Thankyou everyone who has given ideas and advice gypsy aka Dawa

Dawa it might be worth taking your van to a caravan place to check out your arms and wheels.... what do others think? Might be worth paying a bit to get the problems sorted because campervan poptops should be fairly light and easy.

Maintenance!
Everything needs maintenance, all the time,
If it stands around parked up for a while it needs maintenance to ensure it still works and keeps working.
Learn your machine. Learn about its working parts. Learn how to maintain them and how to keep things lubricated, secure and operational.
Look for everything you need to do this with around your vehicle. Do it often whether it's on the road or parked up.
It will make everything a pleasure instead of a difficulty, or worse, a dilemma or disappointment.

i have only had my camper for two weeks. My son is with me on holiday so nothing can be done as it takes a lot to keep up with him. i am now farm sitting until the 7th. Need to find out about the solar system that is installed as well. can anyone tell me what pressure they run their tyres at please. Dawa

I have 45 in the Front, and 40 in the back dawa.    Recommended by the guy I get my Small truck tyres from. 

I previously had them too low, but am getting an extra 50 K's per  tank now.

Cheers,

Sheba.

 

 

Elle on Wheels wrote:

---

That is amazing Sheba. I had no idea tyre pressure could have such an impact on fuel

---

Neither did I.  Thought I'd read the mileage wrong at first, but checked again the next time I filled up.

I keep a closer eye on it now, believe me.

Cheers,

Sheba.

 

 

-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 29th of December 2011 10:02:43 AM