Jump to content


Photo

Help with Heco Lift System Corner Brackets Setup and Torsion Bar - on a 1995 Skamper 060s Popup Truck Camper

skamper heco lift system popup camper heco lift truck camper roof repair roof roof corner

  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1 marciofaria

marciofaria

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 2 posts

Posted 14 March 2022 - 05:31 AM

Hello,

 

Newby here trying to get some help from you guys. I recently purchased a Skamper with a damaged roof and pulled the trigger on fixing it myself. I already removed the entire roof and in the process of reconstructing it. The roof is "almost" (feels like never ending) done, but I'm thinking a bit ahead and trying to figure it out what's the best way to mount it back.

 

As many of these campers, the corner brackets that holds the lift system to the roof is a huge issue. Seems like, specially when it gets wet, this brackets go right thru the roof. I'm guessing this happens because of lack of support on the side wood structures AND because these brackets have a certain angle to them?!

 

My first question is actually that: These corner brackets suppose to have an angle?! I would think they should be flat 90 degrees angle to hold the roof evenly. Mine seems to have a slightly angle when its all the way down, AND (most interesting) they twist while I lift it up. Here is a Dropbox link for pictures and videos: https://www.dropbox....za1A8gVxZa?dl=0

 

I have seem other people putting a metal bar attached to the wood and the brackets to help the support. Which I will do that but before, I need to understand why these brackets move when lifting AND why aren't they in a flat 90 degrees angle?! My first idea/impression would be remove the torsion bar (I'm guessing that's what it makes them twist) and attached the corners somehow to the outer tube, but I'm not an engineer, so here I am..

 

On top of that, seems like the right side is a bit lower than the left side when it's all the way down. I'm not sure if that's how it should be or not.

 

Any help will be greatly appreciate it.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

  • camper-lift-system-01.jpg

  • 0

#2 2Z Bundok

2Z Bundok

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 40 posts

Posted 27 April 2022 - 04:42 PM

I only have experience by looking at my 97 Shadow Cruiser sill functioning well and used often.  The Lid is box banded with 1x4.  the corners have what appears to be 3 brackets, inside.  1st is thin steel like that found in hardware store for general inside corner reinforcement.  2nd is a heavy steel bracket that is likely 4" tall and the same size (ell legs) as the bracket you show still attached to the pipes.  No Angle, edge parallel with roof and ell legs side and back bolted.  The front of those pipes has a bolt that rotates on a 4 screw plate straight into the ceiling (surely solid blocking internally).

Please be aware that I can not see if any of these plates have a roof substrate portion.  Interesting to me that the ceiling is supported virtually full length by the pipes that rotate on its surface.  After all these years our roof is a dish that holds water when level.  If I ever do a rebuild I would try to dome it somehow.  come back if you want more / specific info.

Good Luck!


  • 0

2Z Bundok

Truck Camper...The box from which we think outside.


#3 Ellen

Ellen

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 3 posts

Posted 01 June 2022 - 05:49 PM

Hello! I am very excited to find this thread. I have a 1987 060s scamper pop up. I too am in the process of removing the roof to repair. So far I am having trouble removing the canvas. I have about 6 screws that I can't get to due to the lifting mechanism. We did loosen bracket but it busted thru the roof (ugh another repair). I would love advise on rebuilding. I would like to reinforce the structure without adding to much weight especially to reinforce the tendency of it to sag in the middle. I am curious to know how you figure out how to reattach.
I would appreciate any advice, any links to other rebuilds you know about that has informed you and pictures of process.
Thank you!
Ellen
  • 0

#4 Old Crow

Old Crow

    Searching....

  • Members
  • 1,059 posts
  • LocationSouth Central PA

Posted 01 June 2022 - 10:41 PM

Welcome, Ellen.

 

This came to mind when I read your post... perhaps the photos will help in some way...

 

Roof repair on early 90's SunLite Eagle

 

I remember my brother said he had contacted canvasreplacements and they had sent helpful info. 

 

And here's an important one.... member dodean describes how he went about the process on his Starcraft...

 

HECO manual lift rebuild. (be sure to click on the links at the bottom of post 1--- I think that's the info canvasreplacements had also sent to my brother)

 

There are other Heco threads here on WTW.  If you do a Google search with the words "site:www.wanderthewest.com HECO", that will tell Google to search Wander the West for any mention of HECO. Do not put spaces in that first part (the site portion).  If you do. Google will just reply with a not-found message.

 

You may want to start with contacting canvasreplacements about your specific model.  I believe Heco and Heco-style lifts can vary somewhat among manufacturers and perhaps even for the same manufacturer in different years.

 

Good luck!

 

.


  • 1

'01 FWC Hawk shell on a '13 Tundra Double-Cab  + '19 Ford Transit van with Quigley 4x4 option


#5 Ellen

Ellen

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 3 posts

Posted 02 June 2022 - 01:12 AM

Thank you!
  • 0

#6 Wandering Sagebrush

Wandering Sagebrush

    Free Range Human

  • Site Team
  • 10,534 posts
  • LocationNortheast Oregon

Posted 03 June 2022 - 02:13 PM

Hi Ellen, welcome to Wander the West, it’s a great place.  
 

We have a member (Manfred) in Germany, who has an extensive thread on rebuilding a Jayco.  It may be a source of good ideas for your rebuild.  I’ll find a link and add it to my post.  Cory Brown also has a similar rebuild.

 

Manfred’s project 


  • 0

I am haunted by waters


#7 Ellen

Ellen

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 3 posts

Posted 04 June 2022 - 07:25 PM

Thanks!
  • 0





Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: skamper, heco, lift system, popup camper, heco lift, truck camper, roof repair, roof, roof corner

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users