Possible lift problem on Starcraft

[dlwilliams]

I noticed the other day when I was taking down my PU that when I turned the crank for the first turn or so, the top was not coming down.  Then all of a sudden it "gave way" and dropped a few inches.  After that it came down the rest of the way just fine.  Seems like I remember the last time I had it camping, last year, that it sort of did the same thing and I was worried about getting it down.  I'll have a look underneath tomorrow, but is there anything in particular I should be looking for?  Before I used it last year it had been sitting for several years without being popped up.  I'll lubricate the pullies, etc. tomorrow.  Hopefully this is not a sign of a more serious issue.  Any input?  I'm hoping the system is just dry from disuse and a little TLC will get it back into shape.

[batsignal2]

I noticed the other day when I was taking down my PU that when I turned the crank for the first turn or so, the top was not coming down.  Then all of a sudden it "gave way" and dropped a few inches.  After that it came down the rest of the way just fine.  Seems like I remember the last time I had it camping, last year, that it sort of did the same thing and I was worried about getting it down.  I'll have a look underneath tomorrow, but is there anything in particular I should be looking for?  Before I used it last year it had been sitting for several years without being popped up.  I'll lubricate the pullies, etc. tomorrow.  Hopefully this is not a sign of a more serious issue.  Any input?  I'm hoping the system is just dry from disuse and a little TLC will get it back into shape.

When I purchased our Starcraft, it did the same thing.  The previous owners had it for over a year after they purchased a larger unit.  After they decided to keep the self-contained unit, we purchased the pop-up.  I sat for over a year and the first two times I opened it, it remained up after the first couple cranks then suddenly would drop because the tension was released but it was "stuck" up.  It would fall until it hit the tension again, then crank down easily.  I did exactly what you are planning and have not had a problem since, even after two winters of storage.  Lubricating the system is just something I now do annually which seems to have fixed that problem for me.  I lubricate the pullies and the main crank box.  I remove the protective cover to get to the gears easier, then put it back on.  Hopefully, this works for you also.  

If you continue to have problems, let me know.  Starcraft has some great techs and I can get you the contact information.  They have PDF files that help walk you through adjustments, etc.  They have a file that shows the way to dismantle the protective cover over the main crank under the camper if you need it.

Jeff

[SPXTrader]

Don't know what model you have, but our 2002 Gemini has, upon rare occasion, done the same thing...First crank revolution down, nothing happens, then it drops about a quarter of an inch and everything is fine from there.  Twice a year, I get up underneath and grease everything, including the wench, so it can't be that.  Last trip last year, when we raised the roof, and had it perfect, I backed off (turned the crank counter-clockwise) about one turn.  When we went to lower it a few days later, no problems.

Like I said, I don't know if that was the issue (a little too far in the up position), or it's a result of some quirk with the Starcrafts...

But try backing down just a bit after raising it to the level you think is right...on your banjo string, how tight are you pulling it when you set up?  I don't ever pull it up far enough that it "twangs"...just snug, and then a one half a crank or so back.

[flyfisherman]

Sometimes the lifters themselves can get a little "sticky" and in that case a little shot of spray silicone right at the lifter "joints" will sometimes smooth things out. I try and do this a couple of times a season. What I do, is when the roof is in the lowering mode, will pause about 1/3 of the way down, go around the PUP and give a shot of silicone at each lifter (top joint), go back and lower another 1/3, pause, and go around and do the lower lifter joint. Always have a rag in hand that I place behind the lifter when I spray the silicone to make certain the stuff doesn't get on to anything but where I want it to go.




Fly

[dlwilliams]

I used some silicone spray on the pulleys and tried to spray into the "gear box", and then cranked it up.  I also backed off a half turn after it reached the top.  It seemed to come down OK, but I want to pop it up and leave it up for a day or two to see if it still comes down OK.

Thanks for the replies.  I've got 11 weeks from Tuesday to get everything in shape for my big trip from GA to TX!

[flyfisherman]

I used some silicone spray on the pulleys and tried to spray into the "gear box", and then cranked it up.  I also backed off a half turn after it reached the top.  It seemed to come down OK, but I want to pop it up and leave it up for a day or two to see if it still comes down OK.

Thanks for the replies.  I've got 11 weeks from Tuesday to get everything in shape for my big trip from GA to TX!

Did you use any of that silicone spray on the OUTSIDE lifter sections?

[dlwilliams]

Did you use any of that silicone spray on the OUTSIDE lifter sections?

Actually, I did not.  But the next time I pop it up I'll be sure and do that.
Don't want it to not come down after 2 weeks of being up.

[Hunt4Fun]

I lubed mine today with the thicker wheel bearing grease.  It tends to stay put well and lasts longer than the spray in type.

Hunt4Fun