Jayco Penguin - Raising Roof Etc

Cropper · Veteran Member

Jayco Penguin - Raising Roof Etc

neilnruth · Guru

Friends have a Jayco Penguin and they don't seem to have a problem raising it. But we did see them have a problem putting it down after a week. They told us later that all it needed was some WD40. Hope others can help too as I don't know if there is another way to raise it.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have seen this done by a cordless drill cropper, that should make things easier for you perhaps. You can recharge the drill after so it is ready for next time. You might need to track down the fitting to go into the drill though and I would check with Jayco for that.

Cropper · Veteran Member

Thanks NeilnRuth and Doug, the drill sounds like a good option, be interested in hearing from Penguin owners if any here (Jimricho?).

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

We had a Goldstream wind-up Campertrailer.

The roof is raised and lowered by cables coming off the winch and going through a series of pulleys. So there is no way of raising the roof without the cables unwinding from the winch drum.

We did not have any difficulty in winding up, or lowering, the roof. Winding the handle it was firm but did not require a lot of effort and from memory took 30 turns. However after quite a few years we did have one of the pulleys give way, fortunately a couple of days out from home. It was difficult to get the roof up, and down but was possible by slacking off the cable and propping up the roof. It was a real PITA

On getting the Camper repaired, the guy also changed the winch gearing such that it took twice as many turns to get the roof up. This made the task "easier", as there seemed to be less effort to turn the handle to raise the roof, however I missed the firm feeling that was there before.

Cropper · Veteran Member

Thanks Ron and Shirley,

Would your camper have had the same system as a Jayco Penguin or are they somewhat different?

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Cropper wrote:
Thanks Ron and Shirley,
Would your camper have had the same system as a Jayco Penguin or are they somewhat different?

I am reasonably sure the roof raising mechanism for these wind-up campers are all the same. My fathers 1970s Jayco wind-up had the same mechanism as our 1998 Goldstream.

Last night I was thinking about using a drill to raise the roof, which is quite heavy really probably requiring at least two to four people to lift. Initially with our Goldstream it would have had to be a very powerful drill to raise the roof. After the change to our winch gearing I guess it would have been more of a possibility.

BTW I recalled that on one visit to the Goldstream Factory years ago they had a trial Crown camper (no pull out beds). It was one you could say that had the lot and was quiet amazing. It had, amongst a number of neat features, push buttons for lowering the stabilisers and also one for raising the roof. So clearly they had a 12v motor driving the winch but looking at their website I could not see it listed amongst their options on their current campers.

Cropper · Veteran Member

Thanks for the feedback Ron and Shirley, sounds like the could be a problem for one person unless it has a good winch.

I wonder what happened to the prototype, maybe they found it was a bit too expensive to build or a special order for someone.

I've tried those Avan campers too at a yard, they are a bit hard to put up as well.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

It only takes 30 seconds to put up or down my Avan Camper and not hard at all. Yes 30 seconds, I have timed it. I spose it could be a little harder if Uncle Arthur is creeping into the joints though.

Cropper · Veteran Member

I know that is what their brochures say too Doug, the folding up of the side is pretty easy but like you say if Uncle Arthur is present and a bit over the hill not the easiest to lift thing to lift for some on their own.

The salesman said that although it takes 30 seconds it takes a lot longer if fitting an awning and annexe, although these are an extra if not supplied with a second hand van.

He told me about one old bloke that had gas struts fitted to the sides and roof to help with the lift. I suppose it comes down to your level of fitness and body condition etc.