Lift system nightmare

guitarplayer5219 · Mar 05, 2008, 05:39 PM

Hi,
Hope someone can help. We have a '93 Jayco and at christmas the right side back lifter cable broke. Nope, the latch was not closed, it was very much open so we were quite surprised. Upon taking the camper apart we found the broken lifter cable, cleaned up the ends and spliced a piece of cable into it. Tonight we tried to lower it and the back left lifter won't roll down....the cables aren't connected, at least not that we can tell. The lifter we repaired the cable on is lowering fine...perplexing...hope someone out there has the solution....Does anyone know how to fix this short of replacing the whole lift system?

HELP!!!!!!!

Thanks!

wavery · Mar 05, 2008, 06:04 PM

Quote from: guitarplayer5219Hi,
Hope someone can help. We have a '93 Jayco and at christmas the right side back lifter cable broke. Nope, the latch was not closed, it was very much open so we were quite surprised. Upon taking the camper apart we found the broken lifter cable, cleaned up the ends and spliced a piece of cable into it. Tonight we tried to lower it and the back left lifter won't roll down....the cables aren't connected, at least not that we can tell. The lifter we repaired the cable on is lowering fine...perplexing...hope someone out there has the solution....Does anyone know how to fix this short of replacing the whole lift system?

HELP!!!!!!!

Thanks!

You might try spraying some silicone on a rag and wiping down the lift supports. It sounds like something is hanging up and not sliding easily.

Check all the rollers to be sure that they are not sticking. They should turn easily. Spray them down with silicone too. Be sure to protect the fabric. All the moving parts in the lift system should be cleaned and lubricated yearly.

I use spray white lithium grease on the long screw.

Also be sure that the trailer is level when raising and lowering the roof.

brainpause · Mar 05, 2008, 07:09 PM

Quote from: waveryAlso be sure that the trailer is level when raising and lowering the roof.

And be sure that you are level, but with your stabilizers UP (not down on the ground).

Larry

flyfisherman · Mar 05, 2008, 07:32 PM

These folks have been helpful in the past with answers ~

http://www.customcylindersintinc.com/camper_trailer_roof_lift_system.htm

Give them a call (if all else fails!)

Fly

TheHomelessGuy · Mar 05, 2008, 08:30 PM

Quote from: guitarplayer5219Hi,
Hope someone can help. We have a '93 Jayco and at christmas the right side back lifter cable broke.

Here's a couple of links that helped me fix mine when a cable came off the eyebolt on the harness square. They detail the L&W Lift System Jayco uses.

http://www.popupportal.com/manuals/Jayco_1998_Lift_System.pdf

http://www.popupportal.com/manuals/LW_Lift_System_Replacement.pdf

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/559621139fMViDc

It sounds like the cable may have seperated from the spring drive in the lift arm.

I forgot to mention - Larry mentioned being sure to get the trailer level with the stabs up. This is not what Jayco recommends. They specify to level and stabilize before lifting the roof.

Good luck
Jim

'tiredTeacher · Mar 06, 2008, 06:08 AM

Quote from: flyfishermanThese folks have been helpful in the past with answers ~

http://www.customcylindersintinc.com/camper_trailer_roof_lift_system.htm
Give them a call (if all else fails!)

Fly

There are two reasons why I check in on the "Fix It" threads: to see if I can help and to put links such as this into my favorites so when my pup has a problem, I have the resource. Thanks Fly.

Morin · Mar 09, 2008, 09:05 AM

Yes this link above is good - thanks!

Jaxx · Mar 10, 2008, 10:10 AM

I have totally replaced 2 broken lines and made repairs on lifter cables on our old PU. When you say you "spliced" in a line how was this done? If the area you spliced was near a pulley wheel or other obstacle it could be getting stuck. I have found that replacing it from start to finish is the best. It is tough to get the right length so I use one of the other ones for a rough draft on the size and fine tune it.
It may also be that you made the cable to short if it is the little one that is only inside the lifting poles.

wavery · Mar 10, 2008, 11:24 AM

It appears that guitarplayer5219 is MIA......

I hope that he didn't get stuck inside that camper with the roof on top of him...... :yikes:

Kelly · Mar 10, 2008, 02:49 PM

Quote from: TheHomelessGuy I forgot to mention - Larry mentioned being sure to get the trailer level with the stabs up. This is not what Jayco recommends. They specify to level and stabilize before lifting the roof.

Good luck
Jim

Hate to do this again, Jim

.... the manual for my Jayco says to level, lift THEN stabilize.

Guess it just reiterates the point .... when in doubt, Check Your Owners Manual.

TheHomelessGuy · Mar 10, 2008, 04:38 PM

Quote from: KellyHate to do this again, Jim .... the manual for my Jayco says to level, lift THEN stabilize.
Guess it just reiterates the point .... when in doubt, Check Your Owners Manual.

That's alright, Kelly - like you say, everyone needs to read the manual.

But for the life of me I can't figure out why sometimes it tells you to raise the roof before stabilizing. If one thinks about it, it makes no sense. Why would anyone want to raise raise a roof on a platform supported (generally) on only 3 points, two of which are on springs?! Wouldn't you want that box level and stabilized before raising the roof? I mean, there's a lot of potential there for movement - hopefully the wheels are chocked in place really well.

On the other hand, it just occurred to me why they recommend stabilizing before raising the roof on my Baja - they expect you to to have toys on the front deck and the stabs must be down before loading or unloading. But I've found from usage, that getting the 600 lb quad off the deck first makes leveling a lot easier. Especially considering that once that load is off the axle springs, it needs to be re-leveled anyway. So for me it's a slightly more time consuming process - park close to final spot, lower front stabs, unload, raise front stabs, level, lower all stabs, raise roof.

Oh well.

Tim5055 · Mar 10, 2008, 05:42 PM

Quote from: KellyHate to do this again, Jim .... the manual for my Jayco says to level, lift THEN stabilize.

Guess it just reiterates the point .... when in doubt, Check Your Owners Manual.

This does point out something that everyone needs to be aware of.....

Everything you read on the internet may not be correct for your situation.

Different manufacturers during different years have made different recommendations regarding the stabilizers. And to go even further, some years they were not only stabilizers, they were levelers. Yes, you could lift and level with the corner jacks. This was even given as a way to raise the camper to change a flat tire.

So, read YOUR owners manual for YOUR make/model/year pop up. You will be amazed what you may find :yikes:

guitarplayer5219 · Mar 27, 2008, 07:39 PM

thanks for all the links...i printed it all out....seems the "splice" was catching in the pulley....I've sold the pu to my brother...he's already been camping in it...he plans to replace the whole lift system since upon inspection, it looks as if it's been replaced before, but not correctly...other cables are beginning to fray as well. since the post i have purchased a hybrid, starcraft travelstar 2004..have been camping 2 since getting it the last weekend in february...i've passed all the info ya'll gave me onto my brother....he's going to enjoy the pu since he has a small truck and can't tow a travel trailer.

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!and LET'S GO CAMPING!!!!

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Lift system nightmare