I hve a 1992 coleman chesapeake camper that is very hsard to crank up. I have lubed all the cable pulleys and the wiffle tree to no avail. What can be the problem
May sound a bit tacky but all pop ups are a bit tedious to crank up. In the event this IS NOT your first time to own or operate a pup. I apologize and suggest you post your problem on the pop up times and or the pux webpages. Both are reliable sources for people who have pop up up or small campers.
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IF YOU HAV THE OLD 1 . CHECK AROUND TO YOUR LOCAL CAMPER , OR MACHINE SHOP OR WELDING SHOP, IT MIGHT BE REPAIRABLE.. IF NOT CHECK THE WEB FOR CAMPER CLUBS OR FORUMS .. JAY
Hitch: Verify the obvious. 1-7/8" or 2" ball and coupler. Some couplers can be and may need to be adjusted. Look for a screw on the rear side.
Sorry, not much help on the lift system. Although, I rigged a winch up to my coleman instead of replacing the whiffle tree. You may be able to do similar.
It is not difficult however, it may not be broken. First, verify all the pins in the crank linkage are not sheared and thus not turning the wiffle screw. There is on not visible from the outside. Under the camper is a rectangular tube usually mounted between the 2nd and 3rd crossmember. It is just a cover. Remove the cover and near the front is the probable culprit. Just turn the crank and look to see if the wiffle tree screw is turning.
If the handle won't turn or is very hard to turn, the wiffle tree is likely bad. The four cables are attached with welded closed eye-bolts. Just back of the nuts and remove them keeping track of where they go and how much exposed thread is showing. This is the adjustment for the cables to ensure even lifting. On the front the 2nd crossmember is a thrust bearing under a small rectangular cover. Remove the cover, seperate the crank linkage rods and remove the bearing and it's spacer as a set. Pull the wiffle tree screw with the bar the eye-bolts were attached to, forward. It may need some persuasian but it is just a slip fit in the rear and will come forward to remove it. Install new one in reverse order.
You either have a broken cable, or it may have come loose. Gain access to your anchor points and check the cables. Replacement cable can be purchased "by the foot" al Lowe's/similar as well as cable nuts and such Check the axels and spools powered by the hand crank for anything out of whack, like a broken weld on a cable drum, etc.
Best regards, W/D
My Coleman has the same problem. I can crank the top up but it will not hold in place.
I just leave the crank handle in place after raising the top and secure the handle to the bumper with a bungee cord. It's jury rigged but it works great.
The cable pulleys will be behind something in each corner of the camper , you will need to remove the wall somehow at the bottom corner , sometimes depending on the model it is easier to remove the outside panel and put the cable back on the pulley then put the outside panel back on , be prepared to damage it though as they can be very stubborn to remove but you can repair it later .
This camper uses the Coleman lift system which uses a threaded rod that connects to a tracked distribution block to which all four cables are connected and then routed by pulleys to all four corners of the popup.First raise the popup to it;s full height by using automotive jacks and poles once extended securely clamp the poles to the telescoping up rights This IS SUPER IMPORTANT FOR YOUR SAFETY. Next get under the camper find the broken cable unbolt it's routing pulley(s) pass the broken ends out the pulley(s).Next unbolt the end from the distribution block. followed but unbolting the cable from in side the telescoping column;carefully note the routing in side the column. Buy or make up an exact length cable of aircraft grade stainless steel twisted wire cable of the same gauge. Reverse steps to re install,take lowering strain on crank make sure crank handle is captured by anti free wheeling device on camper un clamp poles remove, lower and raise top by crank to ensure smooth working. You're finished.
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