Hi, has anyone had any experience with one of those Pop Top Air Lifters often advertised in caravan mags?. I'm one of a few that still has a pop top and for some unknown reason the roof is getting heavier these days?. Do they work and are they worth the money? regards RR
Fit a new set of struts possibly 10kg's stronger and the pop top will lift easily, the struts gradually weaken and need replacing, I don't think regassing is worth the cost as new struts can be bought on Ebay quite cheaply.
Cheers
David
I put "Pop Top Air Lifters" into GOOGLE and got heaps of in formative answers....try that and decide if they are any good. Also lots of other options in that search.
Thanks David, my roof has the old metal cross arm spring type lifter front rear & sides and I'm not sure if I can replace them with gas struts due to the mounting points but will investigate further. The problem arose when I replaced the interior roof cladding and installed some insulation pink bats and I reckon the extra weight although slight may have impacted the spring action.
Maybe of interest to Hako - Just as an extension to the topic - RVAirlifters at Murrumba Downs (Qld) have just released a new kit for owners of Avan A-frames to suit Aliner, etc. Not a lot of info available at the moment, as they haven't yet added it to their website, no brochure available yet, but a phone call to the owner, said that a promotional video showing it in action will be put up sometime in the near future. Cost will be around $750 for the kit + installation, or you can fit it yourself. I plan to call in and talk to them when I'm going past that way, sometime in the next 6 months? or so.
Regards, Brian
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Wondering about ShortNorth ? - Short North is the railwayman's nickname for the NSWGR main line between Sydney and Newcastle
When we had a Coromal Pop Top it didn't have the usual levers at each end to lift the roof and at the time I had a crook shoulder so I fitted a set of the RV Air Lifters.
They are absolutely fantastic, just a flick of the switch and 10 seconds later the roof was up.
Definitely worth the money and the fellow who owns the company is extremely helpful.
They're not hard to fit but a bit of planning time is well spent just looking and measuring, not a job to be rushed but the results are great.
Sounds like a good investment Keith, is there any chance the roof will come down in the event of a air leak or do you prop up the corners with something?, regards Eddy
Maybe of interest to Hako - Just as an extension to the topic - RVAirlifters at Murrumba Downs (Qld) have just released a new kit for owners of Avan A-frames to suit Aliner, etc. Not a lot of info available at the moment, as they haven't yet added it to their website,
SNIP
Regards, Brian
Thanks Brian...of late I'm noticing I really need to eat spinach before lifting the roof with the annexe attached so I'll check that up.
Our 17'6" pop top is standard, yes we have had the same experience.
My wife normally goes in and pushes up the top while I am doing other things around the van, she's cute and small. She mentioned she was finding it harder to push the first end up. We have a box near the door that we turn upside down for a step, so I suggested to her to use the step box and stand on it to give a bit more height to create more leverage to push the top up, bingo that made it a lot easier for her, top bride and been married for 44 years, I will keep her.
The other thing I have started doing is releasing a small amount of the roll out awning and find that makes it easier to push the top up. The bed end is easy as you are on the bed and at the right height to push it up. I hope these hints help you to make it a little easier. Ralph.
