Roof Won't Come Down-- Update Final Results

[GeneF]

I have some friends that are in a bit of a jam.  They have a 1999 10 foot box Jayco popup.

They went camping in Wells, Maine this weekend and when breaking camp, they discovered that the roof will not come down.

From what they described to me, the back of the roof will come down, but the front stays up.  They can force one of the front sides down, but the other side won't budge.

A little history.  On their last camping trip, one of them tried to crank up the roof with a couple of latches still locked.  I guess they really forced it because they couldn't get the roof to go up.  They took it to a dealer to have it fixed and theorecticaly, it was fixed.

This is the first time they have opened the roof since they got it repaired.

They have called two dealers in the Wells area but both are too busy to come out to take a look.

I have recommended that they contact Jayco but if anyone has had a similar experience and has some kind of suggestion, it would be apprecieated.

The dealer that originally fixed the roof, suggested putting some two by fours to support the roof and then cutting the cable.  They are not to happy with that solution.

Obviously they can't tow the trailer like it is from Maine to NH.  

Thanks

[4Campers]

Some campers have support posts that install when the roof is up just in case a cable snaps. DId they have that kind of roof? Most roofs lower by gravity, so something is blocking the posts from collasping.

[GeneF]

Some campers have support posts that install when the roof is up just in case a cable snaps. DId they have that kind of from collasping.

That was the first question I asked them but Jayco's don't have them.

Second question was:  Did you have the door out?

At this point, they are trying to get in touch with a guy that does RV repairs.  Hopefully, he will be able to help them out.

[Dray]

Well if it's not the door.  Could it be that the PU is not level and something is jamming.

[4Campers]

Sometimes the support bars are in 2 or 3 sections and jam up if the camper is not level, or if the bars are not lubricated. Had the same problem with mine first trip out from the dealer. First it wouldn't go up, then it wouldn't come down. Even a small ding in the top of any support bar can jam them from moving. Hope they have good luck.

[harleywolf]

It

[GeneF]

They have been able to contact an "RV Doc" in Maine and he is going out on Thursday to take a look at the popup.  Hopefully, he will be able to fix it and they will be able to tow it home.

[syoungblood]

I think I know exactly what is wrong.  We have a 2005 Jayco HW.  We tried to take the roof up once w/ one of the rear bracklets still latched.  Needless to say it damaged the cable mechanism.  We were able to get the roof up, but it bound up on the way down and the rear of the roof sagged.  I think they probably damaged the cable system when they tried to raise the roof while locked.  And it sounds like whoever did the repair did not do it properly.  If the cable goes off track or the pulleys are damaged in the front, the roof will not come down.  Hope this helps and wish them luck with the repair.

[GeneF]

Latest Update

The RVDoc got the roof down and my friends are heading to Maine to pick up the pup.

They are bringing it to the dealer that said they fixed the problem originally.

[GeneF]

Friends are not happy campers over the cost of getting the roof fixed.

Evidentally it had to do with a worn cable or broken pulley.

RV Doc charged them $190 to get the roof down and the dealer gave them an estimate of $590 to repair.

Part or all of this problem may have been caused by the attempt to raise the roof before undoing all of the latches.  Expensive lesson.

[4Campers]

Ouch!!!