I just tried to raise the roof on my new (Chinese made) slide on camper, for the first time. I don't have the strength. I'm 64 years old, 5'10" tall, mild build male, and I could not budge it (and yes the corner clips have been released). Could be that its sticky as its not been raised since made, but I'm now wondering if its even got gas assist struts?
At home (in order to raise it and see whats going on), I'm thinking of putting a wide timber brace across the floor and another across the roof and using a car jack (I don't have a crane). Probably my only option, unless I hire two strong people?
Hi, I can lift each corner from the outside by 2" ok. Its just very heavy.
I'm guessing cheap gas struts have lost their gas or are way undersize.
Why am I not surprised.
I'll have to wait until I can get a couple of strong mates over to try it for me. Once up, I can hopefully buy stronger struts.
Does it have an awning on the side? On my new (secondhand) van, I have to remember to pull the awning out a little bit.
I'm really weak, I bend my knees, put one leg in front and one behind and lift the bar like you see weightlifters doing it on tv, lifting with my whole body from my knees.
If it's not the struts and it just turns out to be too heavy, you can buy airbag lifting devices to get them up.
Really feel for you, the first Caravan we bought was a Pop Top, as you will be aware when you look at them in the Yard they always have the top up. Then the Salesman pulls one end down and offers you to try it, yes, really easy.
When you get it home and go to put the Top Up, Took a hell of a lot more effort to lift the first end, other end then easy. After we had it for a year we decided that it was a Hard Top, (Full Caravan), from there on, as we are both tall we needed to lift the top for Morning Coffee, Lunch, maybe afternoon coffee, and by the end of the day the last straw was to lift it for the 3rd or 4th time for the day.
Ok some brands do have a lifting mechanism by way of over centre bars but it was a real lesson for us. Luckily we did not have any solar or such on the roof.
i did see a lever that was used to lift and lower the pop top i think from memory it was on the MDC XT OWNERS FACE BOOK PAGE that someone showed me .
it was a simple metal hook type thing that gave a person a bit more leverage when lifting and lowering the roof maybe someone on here may have seen one similar an can supply more information
common problem an there is cheap simple solution to the problem
It may be that the struts are seized attempt to get some silicon spray or WD40 onto shafts leave for a while then try again - this may require two persons in order to lift each corner marginally.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I looked at a caravan and the man at the caravan place couldn't lift the lid and he determined that the struts needed replacing. I obviously had no clue other than I couldn't lift the lid. It was on display and the top had been up, so presumably they can just "go" at any time???
There's a video on youtube of a bloke using a pneumatic pole thing to lift his roof, but he's using it on the jayco arm things. Presumably something similar could be used on the roof itself?
Thanks everyone. Yes I agree, a risk of denting ceiling if I lift up in the middle with a jack or something. I'll try to get a couple of stronger blokes on to it. Likely just cheap gas struts have seized up, or more likely, lost their gas. Yes once its up, I'll apply some silicon oil and see how they go.
Its odd, the Chinese manufacturer has installed some good quality items, Dometic compressor fridge, Truma water heater, Thetford toilet, etc, but some of the workmanship is left to be desired (eg: all the 240V wiring was non compliant and I had to replace it (I'm an electrician)).
Hi Jason. Have a look and see if there is a forum for your brand of van to see if it is a common fault with them and you may be able to identify the fault and cure.
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Rod.
Ah! The serenity
Tug - Mitsubishi Challenger, Van - Starcraft Outback Poptop..
Thanks Rod. Its highly likely a one off (or maybe a two off). A no-name product made in China. Not to worry. I'll fix it, as I am a hands on, transport engineer.
