Coleman/Fleetwood lift system

[wavery]

I just read another thread asking for schematics on a lift system and it got me thinking about mine. Does anyone have a link to the schematics for a 2002 Coleman/Fleetwood Tacoma?

I'm using a drill motor to run my top up. My shoulder is pretty goofed up from cranking winches while sailing. The last thing that I want to do is crank that top up by hand.

The drill motor works great. The top is up in 10 seconds. I'm just a little concerned about the stress on the lift system. Does anyone have any pros or cons to running the top up that way?

I wouldn't mind carrying some extra parts, if there is a weak link in the system. Anyone have any suggestions on that?

[Tim5055]

I wouldn't really worry about it.  I'm on my second pop up using the drill and it works just fine.

Keep it slow and don't over crank it an you should be fine.

Here is my drill lift system

[wavery]

I wouldn't really worry about it.  I'm on my second pop up using the drill and it works just fine.

Keep it slow and don't over crank it an you should be fine.

Here is my drill lift system

HMMM!! Link didn't work :confused: .

I just use a 1/2" reduction gear, drill motor and an adapter that I made. Sometimes, I hit the stop kind hard :yikes: , That bothers me so I crank the last couple turns :mad: .

I was just a little concerned that the speed and stress of lifting fast may over-tax something. I have roof-top A/C and that roof doesn't go easily.

Thanks for the reply. It makes me feel a little better.

[Tim5055]

HMMM!! Link didn't work :confused: .

I just use a 1/2" reduction gear, drill motor and an adapter that I made. Sometimes, I hit the stop kind hard :yikes: ,

Links should work now.

Just try not to hit the stop, using the crank for the last turn or two is a good idea.

[wavery]

Links should work now.

Just try not to hit the stop, using the crank for the last turn or two is a good idea.

Wow!! that's pretty neat. I never thought that a cordless would do the job.

I use a 110v drill that I got at Harbor Freight for $39. I just plug it into the inverter.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=7426

[Manchesterjim]

I would would much prefer to use a cordless with an adjustable slip chuck (for that very feature).  I like the idea that you can set the torque low so that if you did hit the stops hard, it would ratchet instead of trying to drive on.......

 
 
(Guess that's just the Engineer in me).
 
Jim

[zamboni]

Our former Coleman Niagara had an electric lift kit on it (dealer installed - my elderly parents bought it).

It took about a minute to raise/lower the lid.  I would be extremely weary about "hitting the top" at the speed it sounds like your drill goes at!

The lift system on Colemans is a screw-drive, similar to garage doors (I know, because mine broke once - gears inside the tree "head" stripped, letting the roof fall while raising it).

It uses a "whiffle tree" that has all the cables attached to it.  When you turn the crank, it rotates the large screw, pulling the tree up or down (which pulls the cables, or slackens them letting gravity lower the roof).

Here is a picture of the assembly:



I think there is a valid reason why the electric lift was geared to take that much time to raise it...

[wavery]

Our former Coleman Niagara had an electric lift kit on it (dealer installed - my elderly parents bought it).

It took about a minute to raise/lower the lid.  I would be extremely weary about "hitting the top" at the speed it sounds like your drill goes at!

The lift system on Colemans is a screw-drive, similar to garage doors (I know, because mine broke once - gears inside the tree "head" stripped, letting the roof fall while raising it).

It uses a "whiffle tree" that has all the cables attached to it.  When you turn the crank, it rotates the large screw, pulling the tree up or down (which pulls the cables, or slackens them letting gravity lower the roof).

Here is a picture of the assembly:



I think there is a valid reason why the electric lift was geared to take that much time to raise it...

Now, that's some GREAT info. I guess that I will have to get under there and grease that screw. I'm actually pretty careful about coming up on the stop.

I'm going to put the top up tonight and mark the rear lifts, like someone suggested. We're heading out tomorrow. I'm pretty fortunate that I can lift my top all the way and open up the entire tent, inside our parking space in the garage (I manage an apartment building). The ceiling is 14' high and the parking space is 30' long (for 2 cars).

[jmcanzo]

I just read another thread asking for schematics on a lift system and it got me thinking about mine. Does anyone have a link to the schematics for a 2002 Coleman/Fleetwood Tacoma?

I'm using a drill motor to run my top up. My shoulder is pretty goofed up from cranking winches while sailing. The last thing that I want to do is crank that top up by hand.

The drill motor works great. The top is up in 10 seconds. I'm just a little concerned about the stress on the lift system. Does anyone have any pros or cons to running the top up that way?

I wouldn't mind carrying some extra parts, if there is a weak link in the system. Anyone have any suggestions on that?

Here is the lift manual.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmcanzo1/liftman.pdf
It covers to 2000. I doubt there are that many changes as this one covers 1968 to 2000