Solution to problems of lifting POP TOP Caravan roofs

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 11:58

Marg D

In August " justcruizinabout" posted asking for hints on raising heavy pop top caravan roofs. As a single traveller with an 18' older style pop top van found it difficult raising the roof but have found a solution that works for me. I purchased 2 ALTAMONTE Telescopic Sheet Lifter Plaster Tools from Bunnings (you can see them on their website). They are what plasterers use to hold plaster board up at the ceiling while they attach it.

They are a single pole with flat feet at either end and a spring loaded handle which you compress to raise the top of the pole. I place them about metre apart (under a roof support) and press each handle similtaniously and the roof rises easily. Best thing is they only cost $32 each and they are easy to store.

I am about to do some maintanance on the scissor supports and will use these to keep the roof up while i do the work.

Hope this suggestion helps others.
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AnswerID: 470090   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 16:23

westskip replied:

We have four gas struts on our pop top and when we were away a couple of weeks ago I noticed that the top had become very heavy to lift. Took the gas struts off and found that one had no gas and the other three were very light on gas. Additionally the top was skewing a bit when lowered.

I've now replaced all four struts and the difference is amazing and it's now very easy to lift and the top lowers correctly.

Incidentally (it"s a Jayco) when I removed the old original struts I noticed that three had 330n of pressure (all the same brand) and the fourth one was a different brand and only rated at 200n pressure.

John
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FollowupID: 744558   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 17:43

Member - sangster(Vic) posted:

Hi Marg,
What a great idea, I'm not as strong as I thouht I was being 77yrs still able to lift pop top of 15' but reading your thread has given me the idea to do the same ,
this will get the treasurer of my back in as she says i have call her to help.. and she is no spring chicken either ... I'd never heard of these before, offff to Bunnings,
thankyou
Stan
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FollowupID: 744563   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 18:25

member - mazcan posted:

hi sangster
i think that your overlooking the real issue here and
that is your gas struts have lost there original pressure and probably need replacing
buying and using the additional supports mentioned will be a waste of money and could be put towards the new replacement gas struts
cheers barry
"QUEBBAMBIDDYBUMTAL" attempt to achieve the impossible immediately and a miracle a little later
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FollowupID: 744570   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 19:09

Member - sangster(Vic) posted:

Hi Mazcan (Barry),
You have me mixed up with westskip, better put the wiskey down lol
ah well we cant win em all..:-)))))
cheers
stan
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FollowupID: 744629   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 at 14:56

member - mazcan posted:

hi sangster
no i'm not mixed up
my thread was for you
i'm suggesting that you check your gas struts

as the reason you have to ask your wife to help lift the poptop is:::

i believe the pressure in your gas struts is failing and probably need replacing

i then recommended you do this before spending unneccessary money on additional props that marg talked about

note : i have never drunk whiskey in my life
as to me even the smell of it tells me one could run their car on it or use it to clean the injectors on a diesel engine lol
cheers barry
"QUEBBAMBIDDYBUMTAL" attempt to achieve the impossible immediately and a miracle a little later
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FollowupID: 744702   Submitted: Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:06

Member - sangster(Vic) posted:

Hi Barry (Mazcan),
Thankyou for your concern, this is the problem I don't have gas struts,
have to push up by arms , legs and any thing I can use...
It was when Marg mentioned the plasters tool thought it would be a good
idea...
Note: I agree, whiskey would rot anyones inners. but not ours eh..
regards

Stan
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