Lift ratchet...

[CampNfan]

Folks, A buddy of mine has a 1994 Pioneer Series Chesapeake. The lift system has stop clicking and we had to strap the handle to the tongue of the camper to keep it from cranking down on it's own. We secured the top with some 2X4's along the lift rails in case the strap broke. Then we camped all weekend. I seem to remember something awhile ago on here about lift systems. Maybe it was in the magazine? I will check that when I get to work I have all my copies in a folder at work. My question is.....
Has anyone taken the front of a camper off to replace one these ratchets? And if so how hard was it and how long did it take? And what all was involved?
Thanks in advance! I think I will be busy next weekend.......

[mike4947]

The common cause for this happening is over cranking when closing up. It trips the racheting pawl out of position. The cure is to crank the roof up to normal height and over crank a turn or two. This resets the pawl and you start hearing the clicky-clack.

[tlhdoc]

The common cause for this happening is over cranking when closing up. It trips the racheting pawl out of position. The cure is to crank the roof up to normal height and over crank a turn or two. This resets the pawl and you start hearing the clicky-clack.

Yes, what Mike said.

[rccs]

Mike I hope you don't mean a complete turn or two all the way around with the crank to reset the winch because I think something would break if you were to crank it that far, if you could. Usually all it takes is to crank it to the top and then just a slight crank more after resistance is felt to reset it.

[tlhdoc]

Yes just a slight over crank does the trick.  I had to do that to my PU the second year I owned it.  Most of the time it happens when people over crank the the system bringing the roof down.