Help. Pop-up, stuck up

[Westlysbride]

We recently purchased a '96 Viking pop-up.  It has been up and down a few times without any problems.  Last night my husband was unable to crank it down.  The rear-half went down smoothly.  The front-half won't move.  We aren't sure what to do.  I have been searching and trying to find suggestions.

We cranked it all the way back up - made sure nothing was caught - nothing is up that should be down.

We don't know what to do... please help if you have any ideas.

[kwatson51]

Hi  y'all,
Don't think you're being ignored!
But until someone does reply with the perfect solution, try searching this forum for "stuck top". It brings up a couple of similar problems.
I lube my pulleys and cables every year with silicone spray, and they seem to like that.
Best wishes...

[tknick]

out of level conditions can produce binding on the lifter arms which could be the problem.  Make sure there isn't any rot under the PUP where the lifter arms rest causing them to bind.  Assuming it went back up w/o any problems, check for binding on the lift cables under the PUP at the pulleys.  If one of the pulleys is broken or the cable came off of it, it could cause the binding.  Whatever you do, don't force it down.  that will cause more expense and frustration.  Obviously you can't take it anywhere in the current condition.  If you know what kind of lift system you have, we may be able to provide you with some links to the diagrams for the specific lift system in your PUP.  That will help you greatly when troubleshooting.

Just out of curiousity, you said the back when down but the front didn't.  Did both sides of the front not move or just one (left or right).  The way most lift systems are designed, it usually works or the problems lies in one specific corner, not the front or back.

The more information you can provide the easier it will be for us to help you.  

Good luck
travis

[jrmjlycan]

Hello,
I have a 95' Coachmen 10 ft popup that might be similar to your Viking (same popup, different model names).  As the previous person stated, it may depend on which type of lift system that came with your '96 Viking.  

Mine had the L & W lift system but the manual that Coachmen sent me had the Goshen system.  You can find the lift system repair manuals for each here:

http://rvworkshop.com/pop_up_camper_parts.html

On the L & W lift system, make sure that the cables going around the corner brackets don't get pinched between the pulley and bracket (in case the cable jumped off the pulley due to too much slack).  

If you have the Goshen style system, the manual should help.

Good luck in either case,

John  :U