coleman hydraulic lift problems

[littlemrnofear]

I haven't used the trailer in 2 years. I tried to open it and the battery was dead, so I plugged in the trailer. Now it has power, but when I flip the switch it makes a awful cranking sound....is that because I am not using the battery? or is it the motor or the hydraulic cylinder that is bad? is there a way to lubricate it? there seems to be a thin layer of oil in the hydraulic compartment....
help! I can't open my trailer!

[littlemrnofear]

I haven't used the trailer in 2 years. I tried to open it and the battery was dead, so I plugged in the trailer. Now it has power, but when I flip the switch it makes a awful cranking sound....is that because I am not using the battery? or is it the motor or the hydraulic cylinder that is bad? is there a way to lubricate it? there seems to be a thin layer of oil in the hydraulic compartment....
help! I can't open my trailer!

it's a 96 niagara...

[callahans]

I emailed you some suggestions. If you need any help let me know. I have a '96 Niagara as well

[littlemrnofear]

although I am saving these suggestions should the inevitable happen. Is there a manual way to raise the roof? I couldnt' find one?

[wavery]

I emailed you some suggestions. If you need any help let me know. I have a '96 Niagara as well

It sure would be nice to post your suggestions. Many other people could learn from them as well. Also, some of us that have been on here for a while may spot a post from someone with a similar problem.

BTW:

WELCOME TO PUT

to both of you....

[callahans]

Well, I had some problems when I first used my 96 niagara as well. The problem turned out to be that the hydrolic reservior was low. One can tell if this is the problem when the lift does not lift the rood completely and the "gravity lock" does not engage. If this happens the lower the roof completely and next to the lift switch is a black tank with a brass fitting on top. use a 9/16" socket to remove and pour in hydrolic fluid, not to be confused with brake fluid or anything else. Your local autoparts store should have some. Fill the tank to about 90% full, hydrolic fluid expands in the reservior tank when its hot outside. Replace the brass fitting and their you go. If you over fill the tank not too worry the brass fitting is perferated and will allow excess fluid to escape. Well I hope this helps, if not post back and we'll see if we can figure what else is wrong.
BTW the shoreline power does not operate the lift system (at least on mine) If you have a dead or no battery use jumper cables and connect them to the battery or the wires to the battery.

[callahans]

I don't think the is a way to manually raise the roof. If there is I dont know about it either. The fix used be pretty easy though.