american sterling trailer

[ceezz]

wondering if some one can help me out,i have a 1975 american sterling(star trailer)thats i recently got.its in excellent shape but the cables that pop it up are busted.i tried to google the company name but nothing trailer related comes up.i know some one out there has to know how to fix it.i took out one telescoping pieces that extends to pop it up and took it to a local shop to have cables made,but the guy said he couldnt do it,either that or he just didnt want to.is there anyone out there that can help me with it,or at least point me in the right direction.please.its in excelent shape and would hate to have to junk it.thanks for your time.can post pics it needed.

[mike4947]

Nothing in the data base I use on American, Sterling, or Star for that matter and it includes most all PU makers open/closed/or bought out from the mid 70's on.
 
There are links over at PUP for just about all the lift systems that have been used over the years. Take a look at the manuals and see if one matches what your's is.

[wavery]

wondering if some one can help me out,i have a 1975 american sterling(star trailer)thats i recently got.its in excellent shape but the cables that pop it up are busted.i tried to google the company name but nothing trailer related comes up.i know some one out there has to know how to fix it.i took out one telescoping pieces that extends to pop it up and took it to a local shop to have cables made,but the guy said he couldnt do it,either that or he just didnt want to.is there anyone out there that can help me with it,or at least point me in the right direction.please.its in excelent shape and would hate to have to junk it.thanks for your time.can post pics it needed.

WELCOME TO PUT!!!!!!


BTW.......only women are "busted".....maybe the cables are broken......


I couldn't help it......my Dad drilled that into me... :p

[austinado16]

So......make your own cables.  Cable is available in bulk from most hardware stores, and they also have all the pieces to make your looped ends, or whatever else you need.

IMO, the rule if you're going to have something vintage is; you've got to always think outside the box, and be prepared to do stuff (read, "everything") yourself.

[ceezz]

well ive thought of making my own cables and putting my own ends on it.but to be honest i dont know where to buy the pieces to put on the end of the cables,and what tools i would need,to fix my broken cables(cause only women are busted....thought it was funny my self).the pink slip i have says american sterling,and the back either says"trail star"or"star trailer"one or the other.i noticed a couple of people here that posted are in california.im also in california.any where i can go to buy the tools i would need?i know home depot sell the cable pretty cheep.

[austinado16]

Forget about what model it is.  Like I'm trying to say; if you want to own something vintage, you've got to think outside the box.  You're not working on a 1975 American whatever camper, you're working on 4 broken steel cables.

You will find your best source of cable parts will be at Orchard Supply Hardware, your local Ace Hardware store (if you still have one) or any industrial equipment supply store.

Just go in and tell them you're making some cables for a popup camper roof, and you need to buy cable that's X diameter, and you need to make a loop here, and thing-a-ma-jig there, and cut to length.......and so you need cable, tools for cutting and crimping, and the crimp connectors and other pieces to do what you need to do.

Take a cable out and bring it with you in order to show them what you're trying to replicate.  You're not flying this thing to the moon, so just make your new cable capable of doing what the original cable did.  In other words, if the old cable has some wiz-bang connection, or crimp clamp or whatever, and you can't find that exact thing, then do something that comes the closest to replicating the function.

You might also visit an RV parts place and see what kind of cable making goodies they have.  

Projects like this are fun, they usually don't cost that much, and if you're willing to buy the parts, the tools, and learn, you're way ahead $$-wise, as compared to just dropping the camper off at an RV repair and saying "Fix it and call me when it's done."

But if working on it yourself isn't your pleasure, get rid of it now and buy something that's modern, and in good working condition.  You simply can't own vintage gear without having either deep pockets, or the willingness to get your hands dirty.

[wavery]

Here is all you'll need:

Cable
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97508

Cable swage tool
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/swagingtool.php

Cable swage sleeves
http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Copper-Sleeve-3-16-Wire-Rope-Sling-Swage-Clip_W0QQitemZ200203641624QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200203641624&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50


These are general suggestions. I don't know what size cable you have.

You just put one of the sleeves over the end of the cable, double the end of the cable back on itself (creating a loop), then capture the bitter end of the cable with the sleeve. Then press the sleeve around the cable with the cable swage tool.

When you finish one end, measure the size of the loop to determine how much extra cable you will need to make the loop on the other end. Cut the cable and duplicate the loop on the 2nd end.

You probably don't have a cable cutter but you can wrap the cable tightly with 2 or 3 layers of electrical tape and cut it with a 32 tooth hacksaw blade.

It's really a lot easier than it sounds............

[ceezz]

well ill start looking around for all this stuff,and will keep you guys updated.the wheels in my head are turning and looking forward to fixing this.will update as i go.thanks.