Now I've Done It!

[Dave2514g]

A new electric lift system should have torque sensors or something so it doesn’t destroy the lift system, what is this 1950 ?

Indeed it should

However, I'd argue that anything produced in the 50s could likely stand the test of time. This new trailer, like all modern equipment, is manufactured to last till about the end of the warranty period. Cheap materials, rushed assembly, all done with maximizing profits in mind....

I'm not picking on this make/model. Just a general observation of where product quality is heading across the board...

 

[Grandpa Don]

Should not be hard to fix. Two new springs and two new tubes. Can fix with the top down

I would consider replacing the main cable as well. One of the pusher plates on the cable may be damaged. Cable replacelment is not difficult on a Goshan system. Get your parts directly from Goshan, not an online store.

 

[Musictom]

Update: I had a mobile RV mechanic come look at my handiwork. Cables, springs, are ordered. I messed up one of the tubes, but he thinks he can weld it back. Otherwise, it's a 4 week backorder on the tubes.
I should be back on the road within a week and for about $400-500. It's a learning lesson, but could be a lot worse!!

 

[Grandpa Don]

Update: I had a mobile RV mechanic come look at my handiwork. Cables, springs, are ordered. I messed up one of the tubes, but he thinks he can weld it back. Otherwise, it's a 4 week backorder on the tubes.
I should be back on the road within a week and for about $400-500. It's a learning lesson, but could be a lot worse!!

That's a lot of money! But you know, it's not that hard of a job to fix it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. No special tools needed. You can completely disassemble that whole system in about one hour. You will need to replace some parts though. Every couple of years I remove my vertical tubes and lube the lift springs. I would highly recommend replacing the main lift cable at the same time. That's another DIY job at home. I even carry an extra cable with me in the camper in case I have to do it in the field sometime. Hopefully the winch is not damaged.

But I understand! There are times when funds are available and you just want someone else to do the dirty work and be done with it. Either way, you will be camping again soon.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

$500 is cheap for an almost FUBAR

 

[Musictom]

UPDATE:
The mobile mechanic came by and crawled underneath. I helped him pull the bars. One had really seen some damage, but the other was ok. Cables were all jacked up.

He ordered all new cables, and looked into a replacement bar. Unfortunately, they were backordered, but he can weld, so he welded my bar back to normal. Not the prettiest job, but who's going to see it underneath anyway.

The cables/springs came in, and he installed and tested everything. He also said he'd come back and adjust the roof when we pull it out of the garage, which I appreciated.

All in all, as Anthony above said, it was a $500 FUBAR lesson. For me, it was money well spent. I could have saved about $250 in labor costs, but I know it's done right, and I didn't kill myself underneath the PUP, haha!

On to a week long trip to Santa Barbara next week!

 

[tfischer]

Glad you got it back in business. I would have never guessed that the lift system would fail at the spring tubes like that... but I guess SOMETHING has to give somewhere.

Makes me wonder if some sort of shear pin at the latches themselves would be a good option... something designed to withstand normal usage but fail cheaply if something like this happens.

 

[John the Baptist]

I can relate to the latches appearing to be open. One of mine landed on the canopy bag and didn't fall completely clear. Thankfully I was cranking manually and didn't break it before looking again.

 

[Indiobravo]

Rule #1: establish a routine
Rule #2: don't deviate from your routine

i just wanted to post that those are good rules, Musictom!! good luck with your repair!

 

[coyotepixel]

So sorry! I feel your pain. I had just completed my final repair... new leaf springs. I hooked the PUP back up to the Tacoma to move it back 5 feet to where it had been parked. I figured that I didn't need to hook up the safety chains for that. As I was pulling forward, one of the chains caught on the large drain cover on the street, pulled it up and shredded the lift cable, tore the gas line and dented the front of the storage box on my Vinking! I've found a repair guy who will replace the whole cable for me. After doing the leaf springs, I'm not willing to crawl under there again.

 

[karen Hoffmeister]

For those curious, this is what it looks like underneath the pup.
View attachment 87956

OMG !! I would not DIY that with a 10 ft pole!!!

 

[Musictom]

So sorry! I feel your pain. I had just completed my final repair... new leaf springs. I hooked the PUP back up to the Tacoma to move it back 5 feet to where it had been parked. I figured that I didn't need to hook up the safety chains for that. As I was pulling forward, one of the chains caught on the large drain cover on the street, pulled it up and shredded the lift cable, tore the gas line and dented the front of the storage box on my Vinking! I've found a repair guy who will replace the whole cable for me. After doing the leaf springs, I'm not willing to crawl under there again. View attachment 88382 View attachment 88383

Oh man, I'm so sorry that happened. Ugh. At least we learn from our mistakes.

 

[Musictom]

OMG !! I would not DIY that with a 10 ft pole!!!

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Emilio62]

C

In one of my YouTube videos I am demonstrating some of the new items I got for camping. I had a 2 inch foam bed topper on my main bunk that would not let the top go all the way down by itself. I always had to pull the top down with the latch. It was no problem until one day on this particular trip and video I almost screwed up. After I closed up the camper, I realized that I forgot to put my generator back inside. I always raise the top about 2 inches before I open the door to that I don't damage the seal. I went around to all four latches and unsnapped them. But because there was pressure on the front one from the foam topper, it did no unlatch all the way and I did not notice it. I then used my electric drill to raise the top about two inches. Thank goodness I did not go up farther. I did not realize what I did until one of my viewer noticed it and called it to my attention. I was lucky I didn't do damage to the lift system. It is so easy to make mistakes like that. I have to be so careful. Here is a link to the video I'm referring to. You can jump ahead to time mark 13.40 to see what I almost did to my lift system.

Can you send me pick of the drill setup. Thanks

 

[Grandpa Don]

C

Can you send me pick of the drill setup. Thanks

Here you go. I think I got the drill at Lowe's. Be sure to get the 1/2 in drive version. I've also included a link to the adapter I use.

Socket Jenie Used To Raise Pop-Up Roof - LVSG-625

The Socket Jenie Jacks are designed for raising and lowering pop-up camper roofs that use a 7/8' square crank handle end.

www.rvupgradestore.com

 

[Grandpa Don]

I forgot one thing. When you use this drill, be sure to set it for the slowest setting. It has two settings, 1 and 2. Use the slowest speed and set the clutch for direct drive. Then hold on, because the torque will take it out of your hands if you don't. It has a phenomenal amount of torque. I almost broke my wrist the first couple of times I used it. Be prepared!

 

[tfischer]

As long as I have a teen boy camping with me, I'm going to stick with that lol. My oldest just turned 18 and will be off to college next fall, but I hope we still have some camping time with him. Our youngest is 15.

Honestly our roof isn't that hard to raise with the crank though... I've considered buying the Jenie but I don't think it's worth it.

 

[campfire Joe]

I forgot one thing. When you use this drill, be sure to set it for the slowest setting. It has two settings, 1 and 2. Use the slowest speed and set the clutch for direct drive. Then hold on, because the torque will take it out of your hands if you don't. It has a phenomenal amount of torque. I almost broke my wrist the first couple of times I used it. Be prepared!

I have the 18v Makita and YES hang on. My wrist have twisted in all kinds of bad positions!

 

[Grandpa Don]

I have the 18v Makita and YES hang on. My wrist have twisted in all kinds of bad positions!

I've learned to start the winch in the down direction by using the manual hand crank for the first couple of turns, just to break the friction clutch free. Then I use the drill to finish the job. I can completely lower the top in about 10 seconds. But I will stop about 6 inches from fully closed to tuck in the canvas for the last time.

 

[campfire Joe]

I've learned to start the winch in the down direction by using the manual hand crank for the first couple of turns, just to break the friction clutch free. Then I use the drill to finish the job. I can completely lower the top in about 10 seconds. But I will stop about 6 inches from fully closed to tuck in the canvas for the last time.

So far i have only used the drill to raise the roof, and not to the full position. I use the crank to finish raising it. When i crank it down i use the crank so me and the wife can go around packing the canvas.