Bought a '88 model pop up with great canvas and no apparent issues with crank up a few years ago, and took out to our deer lease. Has been there since.

First year, no cranking up issues.

Second year, no cranking up issues, but he chain on the secondary crank slipped a little.

Third year, noticed same occasional slipping of the secondary crank from the first year, and used primary/direct crank with no issues but seemed like the top came up about 1 inch short, but with door installed no issues.

This year, using direct crank, the crank is much harder, and comes up 3 inches short of full. Hard to crank almost the whole way past the first half, and now, one has to actually crank it down where it would slowly go down on it's own. I can push up each corner the last few inches, and can use some 2x2 spacers if need be this year to make it usable, but would like to fix it without re-cabling,etc. Looking underneath, all cables are good, and inspection of the verticals look good also.

I have read some, and think it may be a wiffletree lube issue, but the majority of the threaded rod is covered by a plate that may not come loose. (screws to hold the protective plate look to be frozen)

If anyone has experience with this, the OB does.

Any advise OB?

quote:

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3" short of goal

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Rub it.

It sounds like you need to use some lubrication. No, seriously.

I use silicon spray on the four posts of the lift. Don't use oil or WD-40. that will attract dust, dirt, etc. The silicone will work better.

Once you get the roof as high as you can get it, spray it and crank it back down. Then try to lift it again. Keep working it up and down with the spray. It should loosen up and get to the full height. Good Luck!

agggieband83,

I have done exactly what you described with the lubricant with PTFE (silicone) in it. All four posts and all tackle wheels on them. I have done some more reading, and looks like I may need to put some more lubricant on the wiffletree, but it is enclosed in a cover, that looks to be frozen in place. Have you ever had to get under the camper and do this?

I bet wiffletree = doohikee?

crossbow,

I thought the same thing originally when I started reading. but the wiffletree is an all thread rod with a plate attached that will draw all four major cables at the same time.

No kidding.

For the record, doohickey is a yankee term. We call it widjet or chingelera down south.

[This message has been edited by Old Sarge (edited 11/1/2013 11:13p).]

Possible the cable is twisted? Maybe something binding it up and making it twist? Maybe a loop in the cable caught up? Can you, with the lid down, loose the spool and pull the cable out and inspect, then respool under good tension?