Roof stuck up

[donrcrum]

Getting ready for camping season I cranked up the roof and set up my 1994 Dutchmen 801.  After spring clean up, I began to lower roof.  About 25% down, it stopped, I re-cranked to top several times and several attempts to lower---the results the same.  Therefore to keep rain out, I finished set up.  Natually I cannot pull popup 50 miles to a dealer while it is raised.  Would appreciate any suggestions.  Note:  while raising I did notice a skip or two which should have told me something.  Thanks!

[flyfisherman]

Getting ready for camping season I cranked up the roof and set up my 1994 Dutchmen 801.  After spring clean up, I began to lower roof.  About 25% down, it stopped, I re-cranked to top several times and several attempts to lower---the results the same.  Therefore to keep rain out, I finished set up.  Natually I cannot pull popup 50 miles to a dealer while it is raised.  Would appreciate any suggestions.  Note:  while raising I did notice a skip or two which should have told me something.  Thanks!

My knowledge of  Dutchman popup campers hovers somewhere around -0-

But there have been a couple of postings here on PUT where members have contacted this guy and they were helped with their lifter problems ~

http://www.customcylindersintinc.com/camper_trailer_roof_lift_system.htm


Good luck.



Fly

[donrcrum]

Thanks for imput---I appreciate it!

[donrcrum]

Sorry for spelling---I will learn to type correctly---Should be "input"

[Takamine]

The skip while raising may have just been the cable settling in the pulley while cranking. I've had that happen several times. My knowledge of Dutchman popup campers is also hovering somewhere around zero, but if I had to guess I'd say your "support posts" or whatever they're called, need lubricating. I had a similar problem last fall and a little WD-40 on the support posts took care of it.

Hope this helps.

Rich

[4Campers]

Our 94 Dutchmen 1002 XS did the same thing. Check out the lift posts themself. There are 3 sections, each a bit smaller. On ours the first or largest post would not drop down when it was supposed to, locking up the lowering of the roof. If you rattle the posts a bit sometimes it will drop. Caution - use a glove or rag to cover your hand, sometimes it would drop quick. Some lube to the lift posts will help too.

[donrcrum]

Thanks---should it ever decide to stop raining everyday, I am going to attempt wiggling, waggling, lubricating, etc. before my son comes up from FL to help lower roof per Goshen who gave me very detailed instructions disassembling tubes, etc. in order to lower the roof.   According to them, the roof must be down before being able to find the problem.  When I emailed Goshen, I actually did not expect a reponse as I had already been rebuffed by several RV service centers who had more important things to do than be bothered with my problem.  Goshen, though, was very kind and helpful.

[donrcrum]

Posting this should it ever be helpful to others with an old Dutchmen.  My problem was a bunched up cable wire hung up on pulley.  Use wire cutters to clip bunched up cable pieces, then it can go through pulley and able to lower roof.  Of course new cable needed before attempting to raise roof again.  Apparently going price for new cable at an RV dealer is $300. to $500., if you can find someone who wants to mess with it as apparently we popup owners are second class citizens---the cable is less than $20. including shipping.  Most anyone can do it so I am told and just a few hours work.  Full instructions are on Goshen's website, //www.goshenstamping.com  or you can call them at the number on their web page.  These are some of the nicest people I have ever dealt with in this industry.

[austinado16]

Glad you found the problem and it sounds like you're well on your way to an inexpensive fix.  Nice work!