Roof lifting tool.

[beachbum15697]

I had a machinist friend make me a tool to attach to a power drill to crank up the roof on my 2000 Sedona. The thing fits perfectly, but I've tried 3 different drills, including a non-cordless one and none of them will crank up the roof. This is my 1st and only pop-up, so I don't know if it is harder to crank up by hand than others, but it goes up okay that way. But since I'm getting lazier in my advancing age, I thought this would be the cat's meow. Any suggestions? Is there something on thie camper I should be lubricating to make this work?

[Tim5055]

You just need a VERY heabvy duty drill.  If cordless minimum of 18v, all metal transmission/gears and a minimum of 400 inch pounds of torque. Figure in the $300 range for a drill with these features.  I have found that if the torque is not listed on the box then it isnt high enough.

My drill roof lifting page

[b2220128]

I use a Sears 19.2 volt drill for my Niagara GTE roof with an AC on top.  It costs around $120 on sale.  It is not as good of a tool as DeWalt drills but it gets the job done on that heavy roof.  One fresh battery pack is good for two set up/tear down cycles including the BAL leveler.  You might also try lubing your lift system with some silicone spray.  Get it on every moving or sliding part (except the whiffletree) but protect the canvas when spraying in the lift arms.  I lubed my lift system because it had become hard to crank, that made a major difference in the reducing the force required to get the roof up and got rid of some squeaks too.

[cincy_cosmo]

I have a cheap 120 volt, 1/2 inch chuck, plug in drill that I use for cranking up the top of my Sedona.  I have a 24 Black and Decker cordless that works too, but I think it is really too much for the cordless drill.  Corded drills are so cheap these days, if I burn it up, I don't really care.  I just carry a short extension cord and up goes the top!