Raising/Lowering a pop top roof !!!

Jason F · Veteran Member

Raising/Lowering a pop top roof !!!

DMaxer · Guru

Have you got the entrance door open? I would be contacting the retailer if you purchased it new.

Jason F · Veteran Member

Yes door open. Bought it new but at auction (sight unseen), so its my problem now.

Possum3 · Guru

I assume you have it up by now - if not try pushing solely on one corner it may have some adhesive between surfaces. Try each corner individually.

Jason F · Veteran Member

Hi, I can lift each corner from the outside by 2" ok. Its just very heavy.
I'm guessing cheap gas struts have lost their gas or are way undersize.
Why am I not surprised.

I'll have to wait until I can get a couple of strong mates over to try it for me. Once up, I can hopefully buy stronger struts.

Thanks for the replies.
Jason.

hufnpuf · Senior Member

Does it have an awning on the side? On my new (secondhand) van, I have to remember to pull the awning out a little bit.

I'm really weak, I bend my knees, put one leg in front and one behind and lift the bar like you see weightlifters doing it on tv, lifting with my whole body from my knees.

If it's not the struts and it just turns out to be too heavy, you can buy airbag lifting devices to get them up.

blissonwheels · Senior Member

Gooday,

Really feel for you, the first Caravan we bought was a Pop Top, as you will be aware when you look at them in the Yard they always have the top up. Then the Salesman pulls one end down and offers you to try it, yes, really easy.

When you get it home and go to put the Top Up, Took a hell of a lot more effort to lift the first end, other end then easy. After we had it for a year we decided that it was a Hard Top, (Full Caravan), from there on, as we are both tall we needed to lift the top for Morning Coffee, Lunch, maybe afternoon coffee, and by the end of the day the last straw was to lift it for the 3rd or 4th time for the day.

Ok some brands do have a lifting mechanism by way of over centre bars but it was a real lesson for us. Luckily we did not have any solar or such on the roof.

Best of luck with your purchase Jason F.

dogbox · Guru

i did see a lever that was used to lift and lower the pop top i think from memory it was on the MDC XT OWNERS FACE BOOK PAGE that someone showed me .
it was a simple metal hook type thing that gave a person a bit more leverage when lifting and lowering the roof maybe someone on here may have seen one similar an can supply more information

common problem an there is cheap simple solution to the problem

Jason F · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone. Just has two handles in middle of the ceiling. I can feel 2 gas struts through the skirt each side.

I will sort it, eventually.

Possum3 · Guru

It may be that the struts are seized attempt to get some silicon spray or WD40 onto shafts leave for a while then try again - this may require two persons in order to lift each corner marginally.

hufnpuf · Senior Member

Possum3 wrote:
It may be that the struts are seized

I looked at a caravan and the man at the caravan place couldn't lift the lid and he determined that the struts needed replacing. I obviously had no clue other than I couldn't lift the lid. It was on display and the top had been up, so presumably they can just "go" at any time???

There's a video on youtube of a bloke using a pneumatic pole thing to lift his roof, but he's using it on the jayco arm things. Presumably something similar could be used on the roof itself?

laurieoz · Senior Member

Do not use the middle to lift it

Try lifting from the end of the pop top and then the other end

Laurie

Jason F · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone. Yes I agree, a risk of denting ceiling if I lift up in the middle with a jack or something. I'll try to get a couple of stronger blokes on to it. Likely just cheap gas struts have seized up, or more likely, lost their gas. Yes once its up, I'll apply some silicon oil and see how they go.

Its odd, the Chinese manufacturer has installed some good quality items, Dometic compressor fridge, Truma water heater, Thetford toilet, etc, but some of the workmanship is left to be desired (eg: all the 240V wiring was non compliant and I had to replace it (I'm an electrician)).

Granty · Senior Member

Hi Jason. Have a look and see if there is a forum for your brand of van to see if it is a common fault with them and you may be able to identify the fault and cure.

Jason F · Veteran Member

Thanks Rod. Its highly likely a one off (or maybe a two off). A no-name product made in China. Not to worry. I'll fix it, as I am a hands on, transport engineer.

Craig1 · Guru

www.youtube.com/watch

A possible answer to a perennial question. Has anyone done this ? or actually observed this method ?

Looks really easy, maybe no one can ake much money out of it except sidchrome or such.

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

Linear actuators?
Lots of choice of power and travel.

Also used for beds that are stored at the ceiling.
youtu.be/L2EOrguTzZk
Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Thursday 20th of June 2024 08:57:10 PM

Craig1 · Guru

Did look at those Pete, but simplicity seemed to be a winner? in this case.

Leshill · Veteran Member

My thoughts were to buy a rotary close horse . Make a base plate for the floor and a top plate for the ceiling. set it up and wind up the handle .

yep ..getting the roof down is another problem and storing the "hills hoist " is another... plus the associated extra weight.

I use a pop top corner strut to check my brake lights are working. I place it on the brake pedal ..extend it to push on the edge of the seat and lock it. This holds the pedal down and a quick walk to the back of the trailer to check the lights are working. I usually put the hazard lights on at the same time to check them too.