Busted Cable -- Starcraft Venture

[The Sattler Six]

Last summer, the cable on my Starcraft Venture snapped as we was getting ready to go on the annual family vacation.  It broke right at the front -- it appears that the battery had leaked acid on the cable below it, causing it to corrode and finally snap (when I bought it from my neighbor the battery was not in good shape).  I was able to do a temporary fix by bolting the two ends together so we could go on our trip but it's obviously not a long term solution.  When I called the local PU dealer to see about getting it fixed, I was told it would cost more than the trailer was worth.  Surely this can't be correct.

I am in the military and have just been informed I'm going overseas this summer, so it looks like I'm going to have to sell my PU.  I'd like to get it fixed so we can use it a few more times before we sell it.

Does anybody out there have any clue as to whether I can replace the cable myself (with the help of some mechanically inclined friends)?  Alternatively, is it a correct statement that it will cost more than the trailer is worth to fix the cable?  That doesn't speak well for Starcraft products.

Many thanks.

[flyfisherman]

Your Starcraft Venture probably has a Goshen lift system; go to their web site and click on "Lift System" and it should list all the directions for repairs. In case something is not covered, there will be instructions on how to contact them. Good people to deal with.

//www.goshenstamping.com


Fly

[mike4947]

I agree with Fisherman, it's a DIY project for anyone good with hand tools. The problem with having a dealer do it is their labor rates. RV dealers average between $90 and $110 an hour.

A new cable is probabley $20-$30 at the dealer, but just a couple of hours of labor puts the cost over several hundred dollars.

[dee106]

it can be done, but you will want to have a second person to help, specially when its time to raise the roof and make sure all is even

[Gone-Camping]

I replaced the one on my older Starcaft a few years ago, bought the cable from the local "Coleman" dealer (Coleman at the time) for $12, and replaced it over the course of a weekend. Now I didn't have a clue on how to do this, but with a little help got the top up where I needed it, then took apart the covers for the broken cable and one of the good ones, which allowed me to view one in proper working shape in order to see how to fix the broken. After all, you should have 3 great working examples of how to make it all go together. It's really a very simple operation!