What, When, Where and How to Lubricate

[ventura67]

We love our 2003 Starcraft Pop Up, and this month marks our first year with it.  It's time I learn how to lube it.

Bearings repacked after we bought it, and EZ lubes filled before our first trip of this year- check.

How about the lift system?  Maybe just me, but it seems like it's getting harder to crank it up.  Any good diagrams of exactly where to lube it and what with?

The trailer coupler (a type for which I cannot find a picture of or the name of, is a type that pulls forward and has a latch that comes over the front of the coupler) is getting increasingly difficult to engage.  I need to know what lubricant is best used for such a critical area, and where to apply it.

Anything else that needs lubrication?

I'm a visual learner so diagrams would be great!
Thank you, Nick.

[flyfisherman]

We love our 2003 Starcraft Pop Up, and this month marks our first year with it.  It's time I learn how to lube it.

Bearings repacked after we bought it, and EZ lubes filled before our first trip of this year- check.

How about the lift system?  Maybe just me, but it seems like it's getting harder to crank it up.  Any good diagrams of exactly where to lube it and what with?

The trailer coupler (a type for which I cannot find a picture of or the name of, is a type that pulls forward and has a latch that comes over the front of the coupler) is getting increasingly difficult to engage.  I need to know what lubricant is best used for such a critical area, and where to apply it.

Anything else that needs lubrication?

I'm a visual learner so diagrams would be great!
Thank you, Nick.

You don't say what model Starcraft. They have essentially two types of lift systems. The first being their very own pattented system for the high end models and the Goshen lift for the other models. The Goshen lift has two zerk fittings underneath the camper where it will take a little grease. In case that's what you have, give it a tad of grease annually. There's a tendency to over grease here and it only requires a couple of pumps on the grease gun handle. Then on both systems it's recommended you use the silicone spray on the lifters themselves. What I do on my Starcraft a couple of times a season is when the roof is fully raised and I'm about to crank it down and close up, I'll spray each section of the telescoping lifters right where they fit into one another while in the cranking down process. I always make sure I use a rag to wrap around the lifter so as to not get any of the spray silicone onto the tenting material. Again, if it's a Goshen lift, it's a good idea to use the silicone spray again for the moving parts of the wench located on the tongue of the camper. The silcone spray will not attract road dust and such such as using a product like WD-40.

As for the hitch ~ I always give a very light coating of grease on the coupling ball when hitching up. You'll find "things" work more smoothly ... just got to remember when un-hitching to wipe the ball so that no one rubs up against the hitch ... nasty stuff to get out of clothes. Also, there's an adjusting nut on the back (underside) of the coupler. Be very careful should you ever have to adjust to make sure you have a snug fit over the ball and the lock itself is tightened.




Fly

[PattieAM]

Your owners manual should have the maintenance list (frequency and what to use).

Example:  My 06 Niagara tells me to lubricate lift arm pulleys and height adjustment annually, gilide-out compartment track & rollers, coupler & latch, door latches & locks as needed, crank down stabilizers before each trip.

The bed rollers get lubricated with 3-in-1 oil, Lift system gets a silicone spray sparingly.  Light grease on ball hitch, but I don't see what they recommend for the coupler - probably a lithium grease.

Hope this info helps somewhat.

[ventura67]

Hey flyfisherman,

Thanks for the info.  I have the 2107L, which is probably one of their more base models.  I've not seen any zerks in the lift hardware, but I haven't looked around for them either.

Pattie, I have the owner's manual but nowhere does it mention lubrication.  Thanks also for the info!

[austinado16]

I'd recommend against using 3-in-1 oil for anything.  I've heard bad stuff about it....that it actually contains abrasives.

Instead, I'd go with the silcone spray as has been suggested.

For that stiff lock strap on the trailer tongue, I'd start with P.B. Blaster, Kroil, or Liquid Wrench.  All 3 are fantastic penetrating oils.  Once you get it broke loose and moving smoothly, hit it with Triflow from both sides and see how you like that.  Triflow is gun and high-end bicycle quality spray lubricant.  Great stuff.  You could use it for door hinges, door strikers, etc.

I wouldn't adjust that lock strap.  Just get it working smoothly.