RE: Help me out here.....

[C. Hains]

 

Crank up the top and then put down the stabilizer jacks when setting up.
 Put the jacks up and then crank the top down when closing the trailer.

 
 The above is a quote from a recent thread and when I read it I was a bit taken aback.  I could swear the dealer told me to put the stabilizer jacks down FIRST before I did anything else, then crank up the top -- then to crank down and put up the stabilizer jacks last.  That would have been last summer when I first bought my Coleman Westlake.  He went through things pretty quickly and there was a lot to learn so maybe I heard him wrong.
 What is the logic behind cranking the top up first and then putting down the stabilizer jacks, and vice versa when popping down?
 Thanks

[kathybrj]

 C. Hains
According to my Coleman owner s manual (Page 17- 2002 manual), it s roof up and then stabilizers down. That s the way we do it.
 
 " Do not lower the stabilizer jacks prior to raising the trailer top as this can place undo stress on the trailer frame and lift system, resulting in premature wear."
 
 

[PopupSgt]

 C. Hains
My Jayco manual says the same thing to loosely extend my roof prior to extending the stabilizer jacks, but when folding to leave to raise my jacks prior to pushing in my slideout & bunks.
 
 

[gsm x2]

 kathybrj

He went through things pretty quickly and there was a lot to learn so maybe I heard him wrong.
 What is the logic behind cranking the top up first and then putting down the stabilizer jacks, and vice versa when popping down?

 Here s a little reminder courtesy of SCCampers and Nick-Neff-Cough
 
 [image]http://sccampers.org/images/logo100anim.gif[/image]
 
 Just like the manual says--roof up/stabilizers down then stabilizers up/roof down.
 
 It seemed illogical to me until I took a distance away and watched someone put up their top.  Those darn things sway like a willow in the breeze. I ventured to guees that it s better to let them sway their energy away naturally than to force the sway to stop by hitting against the solid ground through lowered stabilizers.
 
 gsm x2

[Ab Diver]

 C. Hains
Carole, in *teknikle* terms... your dealer s got it bass-ackwards.[]

[rebyank]

 C. Hains
I did want to return to this point from an ealier reply. Yeah, My dealer showed the jacks down first then raise the top.  So what is the general attitude here, as I have yet to read the manual or watch the video that came with our PU?  Thaks for bringing this up

[kathybrj]

 rebyank

 

ORIGINAL:  rebyank
 
 I did want to return to this point from an ealier reply. Yeah, My dealer showed the jacks down first then raise the top.  So what is the general attitude here, as I have yet to read the manual or watch the video that came with our PU?  Thaks for bringing this up
 

 I d have to say follow your owner s manual- definitely

[tlhdoc]

 rebyank

 

ORIGINAL:  rebyank
 
 I did want to return to this point from an earlier reply. Yeah, My dealer showed the jacks down first then raise the top.  So what is the general attitude here, as I have yet to read the manual or watch the video that came with our PU?  Thanks for bringing this up
 

 
 
 Crank up the top and then put down the stabilizer jacks when setting up.
 Put the jacks up and then crank the top down when closing the trailer.
 
 As I was quoted earlier.[]

[rebyank]

 C. Hains
[]Sounds Like we have a winner- I ll make sure I listen thanks

[Campntime]

 C. Hains
We were always instructed to raise the roof first and extend the bunks.. then put the stablizers down.  Reason being putting the stabilizers down can  twist  the frame somewhat depending on how much pressure you apply.  Pressure from the stabilizers on the frame could potentially put the roof or bed rails in a bind...so stabilizers down last on setup.

[Gone-Camping]

 C. Hains
Oddly enough, most of the dealers never bothered to read the manuals for what they are selling, as just about ALL of the makes say the samething, don t raise or lower the top with those stabilizers on the ground. When deployed they move the frame, causing it to twist, bend or bow. This in turn will cause the four lifter post to bind-up when raising or lowering.
 
 Dealers are notorious for offering bad information, and spewing wrong instructions. If you haven t already read your manual, DO SO!!! Even my old 1974 Starcraft owners manual also states you raise the top before lowering the stabilizers!!!

[labontefan]

 C. Hains
At the risk of looking like a total rookie, I pull out the manual EVERY time I set up or take down the camper. I d rather look dumb than do something that will damage the pop-up! (Of course, I ve only had it since October so I guess I am still a total rookie![])
 
 The manual on my Coleman Utah says not to lower the stabilizer jacks until the top is completely raised. And to raise them partially before lowering the top, then raise them completely after everything is down and secured.
 
 BTW, I got tired of reading through all the extra stuff in the manual to find the next step, so I typed up two lists in large, easy-to-read fonts. One is titled " Camper Set Up"  and the other is " Camper Take Down" . I keep those plus all the manuals in a big Ziploc bag that lives just inside the side hatch of the front storage compartment. It s usually the first thing that s unpacked when I get somewhere, and the last thing that s packed when we leave!

[C. Hains]

 C. Hains
Thanks everyone for the good advice -- you are very helpful as usual.  
 I did call my son who was with me when we picked up the camper -- and he said the dealer told us to put the stabilizers down first as well.  So....it just goes to show ya -- the dealers really don t have it right all the time and you gotta read the manual -- which I am notorious for NOT doing unless I get into trouble[&:].  Maybe this time I ve learned -  I hope so!
 What would I do without you guys and gals?
 Thanks again,
 Carole

[Turn Key]

 C. Hains
Pop-up first, then jacks down.
 Jack up first, then pop-down.

[Tentcamp]

 C. Hains
We were taught to partially put the stabelizers down then put the top up ends out and then go back and tighten the stabelizers.  To take down it is the reverse.