A Little Help Please (won't cranl up)

ronerjones · Nov 04, 2007, 07:15 PM

Just got back from a great weekend weather, activities, company, and everything was just perfect. Set-up went just fine noticed nothing wrong with the cranking up of the roof. Tear down seemed fine also. My youngest daughter usually cranks down nice and slow as the rest of us walk around the camper to make sure all gets tucked in nice and straight. Got the roof completely down and the front end seemed to be a bit high so I decided to take it back up a few inches and then back it back down. As I cranked it up there was no more rachetting sound on the up crank and if I loosened up on the crank the roof would want to come down by itself.

Does this sound normal and do I have an easy fix on my hands?

Trailer is new to me, 2002 Coleman Utah. This was our 6th time out in it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I do have a couple general maintinance issues (re-pack weel bearings, re-glue the rubber gasket around the roof, and have tires checked for wear) this would be a good time to get everything done. I just don't want to ask the dealer to do something that I can fix real easy.

wavery · Nov 04, 2007, 07:31 PM

Quote from: ronerjonesJust got back from a great weekend weather, activities, company, and everything was just perfect. Set-up went just fine noticed nothing wrong with the cranking up of the roof. Tear down seemed fine also. My youngest daughter usually cranks down nice and slow as the rest of us walk around the camper to make sure all gets tucked in nice and straight. Got the roof completely down and the front end seemed to be a bit high so I decided to take it back up a few inches and then back it back down. As I cranked it up there was no more rachetting sound on the up crank and if I loosened up on the crank the roof would want to come down by itself.

Does this sound normal and do I have an easy fix on my hands?

Trailer is new to me, 2002 Coleman Utah. This was our 6th time out in it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I do have a couple general maintinance issues (re-pack weel bearings, re-glue the rubber gasket around the roof, and have tires checked for wear) this would be a good time to get everything done. I just don't want to ask the dealer to do something that I can fix real easy.

This is actually quite a common problem.

It seems that if you crank down and turn the crank all the way to the end (which isn't necessary) the "pawl", on the ratcheting mechanism can get out of whack.

You will need to crank the roof all the way to the top and give it a little extra, at the end. This should reset the "Pawl".

It is recommended to have 2 people to do this, in case one tires. If the person cranking tires and lets go of the handle, the roof will come down hard and fast. Worst of all, the crank handle will spin uncontrollably and may cause injury. Please be sure to have another person there to take over. Also make sure that no one stands anywhere near the camper, in case the roof does fall.

tlhdoc · Nov 05, 2007, 07:05 PM

Yes this is a common problem. All you have to do is crank the top up all the way and then give it an extra shove. The handle will not move much, but you will feel it give. This information is in your owners manual if you want to see what Fleetwood says. One person can fix this problem, as long as you can crank your roof all the way up. The roof is not going to fall and hit someone, unless they stick some part of their body between the roof and the box of the camper. When cranking down you should stop cranking when the roof stops moving.

CajunCamper · Nov 06, 2007, 06:35 AM

I understand that this happens by over cranking it when lowering the roof.

CajunCamper

ronerjones · Nov 06, 2007, 04:57 PM

Thanks guys I really do appreciate it. I will have to let my daughter know that she is not to crank down any further than the bottom. I will let you guys know how the fix goes, I will be doing it this weekend. I need to open it and spray for bugs, we had a few ants this past trip.

By the way once I get it all the way up and some, does it lock into place so I do not have to worry about it comming down? or do I need to then bring it down before all is good?

wavery · Nov 06, 2007, 05:06 PM

Quote from: ronerjonesThanks guys I really do appreciate it. I will have to let my daughter know that she is not to crank down any further than the bottom. I will let you guys know how the fix goes, I will be doing it this weekend. I need to open it and spray for bugs, we had a few ants this past trip.

By the way once I get it all the way up and some, does it lock into place so I do not have to worry about it comming down? or do I need to then bring it down before all is good?

When you get it to the top, give it a little extra "umph" and the Pawl should reset and hold the top. You should then have to crank the top down and it should not free-fall. A little caution may be prudent.. :sombraro:

Again, I would recommend that you have a back-up person and keep others away from the PU. If the top does start to fall, someone may instinctively try to stop it......not a good idea.. :yikes:

tlhdoc · Nov 06, 2007, 07:46 PM

Quote from: ronerjonesBy the way once I get it all the way up and some, does it lock into place so I do not have to worry about it comming down? or do I need to then bring it down before all is good?

Crank it down just a few inches and then crank it back up to make sure you have the clicking. It should be fine.

SherryandFamily · Nov 12, 2007, 09:18 AM

We had the same problem with our 99 Utah, and we had to "overcrank" it three times before it finally reset.

If it doesn't work the first time, crank it back down, then back up, etc.

Sherry

News:

A Little Help Please (won't cranl up)