roof lifting helper shocks thingys

[Sagefemme]

I had a great experience with Lift Supports Depot when I ordered 4 new gas struts this past summer. I ordered the wrong struts and despite the fact that the order had already been packed, they found it, pulled it out of the shipping pile, and made the correction. Very helpful folks. Although as I recall the number and variety of struts available on their website was truly bewildering.

 

[buckland]

Check out the Canadian Co. Gemini. I've had theirs on for 5 years and they still are fine.

 

[craig333]

Installed the new struts on the rear. Single band aid installation. Started to do the front. Front struts still work like new. Surprised me greatly. So I tried to pop the top to reinstall the struts and utterly failed. Could not get it up. Managed to reinstall the strut anyway but it got me to thinking. If a strut or other part failed I'd be sleeping on the couch. I'm thinking carrying a speaker stand might not be a bad idea, just in case.

 

[buckland]

I agree wholeheartedly. I put my crank stand back in as on last trip I had a twinge in the lower back and thought why not play it safe.

 

[Vic Harder]

I keep my speaker stand attached to the ceiling at all times. Have yet to “need” it but yeah, we need to be able to lift the roof even if something goes wrong or I tweek my back, etc..

 

[craig333]

I tweaked my back when I was camped at Wolf Creek. Good thing the top was already up. Easy to do at my age.

 

[pvstoy]

I tweaked my back when I was camped at Wolf Creek. Good thing the top was already up. Easy to do at my age.

And for you working tough duty on fire lines and we all are paying for sins of our youth making a living and enjoying life.

 

[AWG_Pics]

And ... we all are paying for sins of our youth making a living and enjoying life.

Was I supposed to stop sinning when I got older? Oooops!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Was I supposed to stop sinning when I got older? Oooops!

No way Jose, sin on.
Frank

 

[Jon R]

This Spring I plan to remove the forward one of my two 200 watt panels. It sits right on top of the front lift board. I’m hoping removing that 26 lbs will make it so my wife can lift the roof herself. She wants to be able to join one of her horse riding friends at their camping property. It will be interesting to see how well the electrical power system keeps up with only 200 watts of panel. The 200 ah battery will last a long weekend on its own with no charging.

I will need to make her several written checklists. She’s a good driver of full size trucks, with several years experience towing horse trailers in her 20s.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Jon, do you have a speaker lift for your camper? Might be an option if you want to keep the panel on.

 

[Sagefemme]

We made a discovery about lifting the back end of the roof. After unlatching the lift panel, if I just let it hang while I start pushing up, it's very difficult to get the lifting started. If I make sure it's not hanging, i.e. if I hold it flat against the ceiling (but unlatched, of course) the lifting is much easier. I can't really see how the lifting is made more difficult by having the panel hanging down from its hinge, but it's definitely true. And it doesn't hang down by much at all; it's at maybe 15 or 20 degrees to the ceiling.

My spouse actually noticed this first. I was very relieved to be able to put the roof up myself without too much effort. We have one 160 watt solar panel.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

We made a discovery about lifting the back end of the roof. After unlatching the lift panel, if I just let it hang while I start pushing up, it's very difficult to get the lifting started. If I make sure it's not hanging, i.e. if I hold it flat against the ceiling (but unlatched, of course) the lifting is much easier. I can't really see how the lifting is made more difficult by having the panel hanging down from its hinge, but it's definitely true. And it doesn't hang down by much at all; it's at maybe 15 or 20 degrees to the ceiling.

My spouse actually noticed this first. I was very relieved to be able to put the roof up myself without too much effort. We have one 160 watt solar panel.

Interesting observation regarding the lift panel. I’ll have to try that.

You also might want to consider a speaker lift… I find that mine is more helpful at the front of the camper.

 

[Sagefemme]

Interesting observation regarding the lift panel. I’ll have to try that.

You also might want to consider a speaker lift… I find that mine is more helpful at the front of the camper.

At this point I’m finding lifting the roof on my own to be no big deal. I’ll keep the speaker lift idea on the back burner. As I get older (and sadly, weaker) it may come into play!

 

[jkszoo]

We made a discovery about lifting the back end of the roof. After unlatching the lift panel, if I just let it hang while I start pushing up, it's very difficult to get the lifting started. If I make sure it's not hanging, i.e. if I hold it flat against the ceiling (but unlatched, of course) the lifting is much easier. I can't really see how the lifting is made more difficult by having the panel hanging down from its hinge, but it's definitely true. And it doesn't hang down by much at all; it's at maybe 15 or 20 degrees to the ceiling.

My spouse actually noticed this first. I was very relieved to be able to put the roof up myself without too much effort. We have one 160 watt solar panel.

I just discovered this as well! And the advantage of my height (short) if I put the window seat cushion on my head lifting is a breeze, and almost 70! Hoping the roof calisthenics keeps me in shape!

 

[Sagefemme]

I just discovered this as well! And the advantage of my height (short) if I put the window seat cushion on my head lifting is a breeze, and almost 70! Hoping the roof calisthenics keeps me in shape!

I love these strategies! I had not thought of a seat cushion on my head, but it's genius. I have a flatbed, and have found for the front (over cab) part of the roof, if I stand on the bench that has the water tank under it I can put my upper back on the push panel and just straighten my legs to get it started. My husband does the lifting in COMPLETELY different ways, because he's taller and has different body part malfunctions than do.