Sheba, that thing you found to push up pop tops.

Happywanderer · The Master

Sheba, that thing you found to push up pop tops.

gubby · Guru

HW I don't know if these are the items you were discussing with Sheba but if not might be worth a look... smile

http://www.rvairlifters.com.au/

Firefly · Guru

I also found this thread where they were discussed mate.

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t34526433/male-comany-welcome/?r=830203

Happywanderer · The Master

Thank s, yes thats them. Found them in a PM just now but still looking for a price. I'm sure Sheba said around 800.00.
My reception is not good tonight so keep losing the link, hope I can stay on a bit longer now.

Happywanderer · The Master

Sorry, it was the RVairlifter , not the popperupper thingee.
Don't know how you found that Firefly. I put every possible word in search and got nothing.

Sheba · Guru

That was it Marj. Gubby posted the relevant link.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks Sheba, will pass it on to neighbours here in the morning.

Happywanderer · The Master

Will be getting one myself once I've saved up. My wrists can't take all the heavy work although I am still doing it.
Just imagine if I had solar on the roof too,

Was going to spray the struts? tonight with some WD40 to see if they went a bit smoother but can had run out of spray. Neighbour siad vaseline is better so will get some and put on the springs in there.

Sheba · Guru

I have got a large Panel on the roof Marj, so I'll be getting the Airlifter fitted as soon as I can.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes, I remember you saying that earlier. I thought I could manage but if I've already hurt my wrist without a solar panel just imagine how much harder it will be with one.

Firefly · Guru

I put in the search, roof push up.

Funny how something silly works isn't it mate. Glad you sorted it out regardless. biggrin

Smokeydk · Guru

I been looking for them too......seen them on websites ranging from $12 up to $22 each.....one mob in Canberra want as much again for postage

Esmeralda · Guru

Hey Smokey - those thingies in the picture don't push the roof up but can hold it up if you have difficulties with the roof staying up properly. As my awning is currently attached to the push up roof I need to be careful in letting some awning out before I try to push the roof up - I can tell you how hard it is when you forget to A) do this or B) forget to release the latch. Anyway I put one each in the corners on the awning side for further support, but they cannot be used to push the roof up. Mine cost about $9 at Award Superstore @ caravan and camping show.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Will be getting one myself once I've saved up. My wrists can't take all the heavy work although I am still doing it.
Just imagine if I had solar on the roof too,

Was going to spray the struts? tonight with some WD40 to see if they went a bit smoother but can had run out of spray. Neighbour siad vaseline is better so will get some and put on the springs in there.

My b-i-l put me onto silicone spray instead of WD40. I swear by it! But Vaseline would probably work just as well.

Happywanderer · The Master

Got the vaseline today and a new neighbour lent me his ladder. Then he got up there to help as well. What did we find, the little wheels that roll it back and forward into place are actually broken off. They are sitting at the end in pieces. So the machinery is going along the track on the bit inside the wheel.
He put vaseline along the insides of the tracks for me, said that will at least make it easier to move. Will have to get the wheels replaced when I get home TOO!!!!

Was very dry up there and tight, no wonder it just wouldn't move when I put it up the other day, took ages to get it to kick away from roof, then it went straight up. They also have what looks like pieces of tubing over parts of the springs. Well, 2 of them were jammed up tight in the corner which also would have been making it hard to move.
Hopefully all go now.
My list of repairs is getting bigger.
In house batter is definitely no good. Other neighbour came over and checked it this morning after charging it last night. I didn't use it over night and it had dropped right back.

jimricho · Guru

If you can get all the moving and sliding parts freed up and working properly you may not need to go to the expense of roof lifters. Even if you go ahead with the roof lifters I think you would need to ensure that the whole arrangement is freed up and working properly anyway.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats what I'm wondering to Jim, could save myself a lot of money just getting them greased and freed up. But even to get the wheels replaced that are broken the neighbour here said it would have to be detached from the roof to get the new wheels on. Thats going to be an expensive exercise.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

The thing with Vaseline (good as it works) and even WD40 is that dust will stick to it - need a dry silicone spray, which doesn't attract dust - could you look at getting gas struts to push the top up? Just a thought - don't know if it would work or not.
Hey Marj - where are you now? we have our show this weekend in Boonah.

jimricho · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Thats what I'm wondering to Jim, could save myself a lot of money just getting them greased and freed up. But even to get the wheels replaced that are broken the neighbour here said it would have to be detached from the roof to get the new wheels on. Thats going to be an expensive exercise.

I think I'd be getting the wheels done as a priority as it's seems likely that this is the cause of much of your problems. With all due respect Marj, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I think you do have to expect that a 20 year old vehicle with almost 200k on it is going to involve some significant maintenance costs.

When you get back home, sus out a good caravan maintenance place, you may find the wheels/rollers can be replaced without a complete roof removal. I'm not in a position to know whether on not this is so.

Smokeydk · Guru

Your right Esmeralda..........when the awning is up.its attatched to roof.....that side starts sagging.only noticed it last weekends trip...sorry HW......

gubby · Guru

I've seen people with this problem have two bits of timber cut to the right length so as when the roof is up they put one at each end (Not a tight fit) then when they put there awning out the roof sits on the timbers, it's a cheap alternative.. smile

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes, I know Jim and it is 30 years old not 20. Just surprised there isn't one thing yet that doesn't need something doing to it. For example I have 4 cig lighter plugs in the house part. Not one of them works.
Even the horn has stopped working.
Also after spending nearly 3,000 on it after buying, would have hoped to have covered most of repairs. Can see at least another 2,000 coming up. A very expensive exercise. Will take me all summer to get it back on the road for next winter.

Sheba · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Thats what I'm wondering to Jim, could save myself a lot of money just getting them greased and freed up. But even to get the wheels replaced that are broken the neighbour here said it would have to be detached from the roof to get the new wheels on. Thats going to be an expensive exercise.

Haven't noticed any wheels on mine, but then I haven't had the top up for a while. Where would they be Marj ?

I'll have to look next time I lift it.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

You know how you have the X bar holding up the top. Well down the bottom and along the top is a runner for the whole lot to slide along. the ends of the X's run along these runners. To run along these runners they have a little wheel. Mine a broken and squashed up in pieces down the end of the runners.

Sheba · Guru

Thanks Marj. Will have a look next time.

Cheers,

Sheba.