Spring Arms

[ptbrauch]

Hello everyone!
Here's my what seems to be my unique problem.  My '86 Palomino Colt that I just bought has the spring arms lift system.  In case anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about, there is no crank to lift the roof, its done manually.  The support arms have springs in them to assist in lifting.  However, when I got it, the cables were broken and the springs are missing.  I was able to find replacement cables and springs, but they came with no instructions. Since mine never had them in the first place, I have no idea how it is supposed to go together.  

Does anyone have any experience with replacing these on this type of system?

[mpleites]

Hello, are you talking about the lift arms that are on the outside of the trailor? If so, where did you find those springs. I have a old Viking that needs the same thing.

Hello everyone!
Here's my what seems to be my unique problem.  My '86 Palomino Colt that I just bought has the spring arms lift system.  In case anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about, there is no crank to lift the roof, its done manually.  The support arms have springs in them to assist in lifting.  However, when I got it, the cables were broken and the springs are missing.  I was able to find replacement cables and springs, but they came with no instructions. Since mine never had them in the first place, I have no idea how it is supposed to go together.  

Does anyone have any experience with replacing these on this type of system?

[ptbrauch]

I got mine from Campers and Recreation (//www.canvasreplacements.com).  You'll probably have to call them though. This is where the camper manufacturer sent me.  

Here's a suggestion that could save you a lot of money.  If you know what you're looking for--just the springs, the cables, or the whole arm, and you have one, even if it is broken, you might want to try locating the part with your local hardware store or machine shop.  For me, the spring was $17 ea and the cable was $16 (I needed 4 of each).  After I got them, I broke a cable and found out that I could get one for less than $2 at Lowes.  But initially I didn't know what I was looking for.  I have not tried to find a spring yet, but I also broke one of the aluminum arms ($102) and had a machine shop fix it for the price of lunch.

If you need any more help with this, just ask me.  I also found out there's not a lot of information about these spring arms and I've since acquired a lot by trial and error.  Maybe I can save you some errors.

[mpleites]

Thank you for your help. I will let you know how it goes.

I got mine from Campers and Recreation (//www.canvasreplacements.com).  You'll probably have to call them though. This is where the camper manufacturer sent me.  

Here's a suggestion that could save you a lot of money.  If you know what you're looking for--just the springs, the cables, or the whole arm, and you have one, even if it is broken, you might want to try locating the part with your local hardware store or machine shop.  For me, the spring was $17 ea and the cable was $16 (I needed 4 of each).  After I got them, I broke a cable and found out that I could get one for less than $2 at Lowes.  But initially I didn't know what I was looking for.  I have not tried to find a spring yet, but I also broke one of the aluminum arms ($102) and had a machine shop fix it for the price of lunch.

If you need any more help with this, just ask me.  I also found out there's not a lot of information about these spring arms and I've since acquired a lot by trial and error.  Maybe I can save you some errors.

[chrismarques]

I have the lift arms apart on my 1982 Viking right now and after repainted will go back together soon. The Viking arms do not use cables but have a 2 piece bar like an elbow attached to the upper arm that goes inside the lower arm attaching to the spring which attaches to the lower mounting bolt (I will get some pictures soon as a reference) Maybe it will be close enough to picture how your Palamino might be set up inside.
mpleites-what year and size Viking do you have? Ours has not been used since about 1987 and been stored in my parents garage. The roof is currently off and I am going over tomorrow to replace the foam ceiling and hopefully repanel the ceiling if time permits. I just got from canvas replacements the plastic guards that go on where the outside arms fold.

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/cmarques1

Chris

[mpleites]

I have the very same model but is a 1984. I was able to find the springs for the lift arms as recommended above. If you have any questions or need pictures of how anything is assembled, please let me know.

Mario Pleites
mpleites@yahoo.com

I have the lift arms apart on my 1982 Viking right now and after repainted will go back together soon. The Viking arms do not use cables but have a 2 piece bar like an elbow attached to the upper arm that goes inside the lower arm attaching to the spring which attaches to the lower mounting bolt (I will get some pictures soon as a reference) Maybe it will be close enough to picture how your Palamino might be set up inside.
mpleites-what year and size Viking do you have? Ours has not been used since about 1987 and been stored in my parents garage. The roof is currently off and I am going over tomorrow to replace the foam ceiling and hopefully repanel the ceiling if time permits. I just got from canvas replacements the plastic guards that go on where the outside arms fold.

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/cmarques1

Chris

[mpleites]

Thank you for your help. I called them this afternoon and ordered the springs. The springs are $ 12 each. //www.canvassreplacements were very helpful.

Thanks again for the help

Mario Pleites
mpleites@yahoo.com

I got mine from Campers and Recreation (//www.canvasreplacements.com).  You'll probably have to call them though. This is where the camper manufacturer sent me.  

Here's a suggestion that could save you a lot of money.  If you know what you're looking for--just the springs, the cables, or the whole arm, and you have one, even if it is broken, you might want to try locating the part with your local hardware store or machine shop.  For me, the spring was $17 ea and the cable was $16 (I needed 4 of each).  After I got them, I broke a cable and found out that I could get one for less than $2 at Lowes.  But initially I didn't know what I was looking for.  I have not tried to find a spring yet, but I also broke one of the aluminum arms ($102) and had a machine shop fix it for the price of lunch.

If you need any more help with this, just ask me.  I also found out there's not a lot of information about these spring arms and I've since acquired a lot by trial and error.  Maybe I can save you some errors.