Need help with leveling my pup

[Palletbob]

I have a 2012 a128s ,my age is 78 and am having trouble razing it . Hoping there is a electric lift system available, any help would be great. Palletbob.

[Herk7769]

Leveling side to side should be done with boards or stacking levelers. Front to back is done with the tongue jack.

You can buy a powered tongue jack to eliminate cranking that.

https://store.lci1.com/electric-tongue-jack-black-1

Cranking stabilizers can be replaced with the Lippert electric stabilizers here.

https://store.lci1.com/ul-electric-stab-jack

[OYO]

Originally Posted by Palletbob

I have a 2012 a128s ,my age is 78 and am having trouble razing it . Hoping there is a electric lift system available, any help would be great. Palletbob.

Are you raising the roof or leveling the camper?

[Palletbob]

I am attempting to lift Roof. My wife and I are both short which doesn't help.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by OYO

Are you raising the roof or leveling the camper?

Great point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf72PoEVn5c

I doubt there is an easy fix since it is spring loaded to pop open.

Maybe you can talk to Rockwood/Flagstaff and see if the counterweight can be increased; but then it might be too hard to close.

[Around the Bend]

Herk7769, just watched the video you posted about popping the top up. We have a 2014 122S and there is no way I can pop it up with one hand. Takes a good "umph" on my part to raise it. Is that normal or is there something we need to have checked or adjusted?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Around the Bend

Herk7769, just watched the video you posted about popping the top up. We have a 2014 122S and there is no way I can pop it up with one hand. Takes a good "umph" on my part to raise it. Is that normal or is there something we need to have checked or adjusted?

I amended my post without refreshing the screen. I would definitely talk to Rockwood/Flagstaff about the counterweight system.

[MontyPP]

Originally Posted by Palletbob

I have a 2012 a128s ,my age is 78 and am having trouble razing it . Hoping there is a electric lift system available, any help would be great. Palletbob.

There are a few options on razing the roof. One is by SlimPotatohead on YouTube "DIY Roof Assist for $10". There are a few other videos showing other ways as well. You may have to look through several to find the one you like. Good luck.

[jimmoore13]

At the risk of sounding ageist, I'm 69 and I'm beginning to notice that what once was easy is more of a challenge. I figure I might be able to deal with my PUP for a few more years, but not until I'm 78.

Perhaps there's a different answer...a trade in on a conventional hard-side camper. Or maybe an outright sale of yours and purchase of a more conventional used camper.

There are times when some of the joy of camping is dampened by a difficult setup. Many times, my Friday night is spent "recovering" from all the prep, hookup, setup, leveling, stuff-unloading and so on associated with getting my high-wall pup ready to occupy. Folding campers require LOTS of out-of-camper stuff, from food to a generator (if you have one) and so on. But the more conventional campers enable you to stow all that "stuff" in the rig. There's quite a bit less to do...or to do twice.

I've been looking hard at Mini-Lites and other small towables. Depending on how far you go to camp, there are also tons of good used older Class Cs out there that are comparatively painless to manage that can be had for about $5000 to $10,00. I've been looking at those as well. Just a thought...

Meanwhile, good luck solving the counter-balance issue on your roof. It's no fun having to bust a gut just to setup.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by MontyPP

There are a few options on razing the roof. One is by SlimPotatohead on YouTube "DIY Roof Assist for $10". There are a few other videos showing other ways as well. You may have to look through several to find the one you like. Good luck.

Thanks Monty!

If the company can't adjust or replace the springs, you can try this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie-wkKsMDIc

[mickrock]

and the method with the 2 x 4 works great as shown, for that camper.
The gentleman devised a low cost tool and took some time to make a video
and share his technique. Good job!

I have "finally finalized", I think, what I have done with the Windy Nation
actuator. This is mostly covered in another thread, under "actuator", although
my final mod is to not install the actuator permanently, Rather, I am now
putting the actuator on the 2 mounting bolts when the camper is down, and
connecting a typical 4 pin trailer connector near the motor to power the unit.
I run the actuator up, pull out the 2 clip pins that kept the actuator mounted,
set the actuator on the ground, run the actuator drive all the way down,
disconnect the 4 pin trailer connector, and put the actuator into the storage
compartment until the next setup. This is the ideal usage for the actuator,
as it is only needed for the raising, and it is not exposed to weather elements.
I still slightly assist on the opposite side during the raise.

And, I also claim a disclaimer, as this is a customized method, and any custom
method cannot be guaranteed in any way.

A few of us have "experimented" with actuators, so we have shared our gains
and failings.

Happy camping!

[cantxsailor]

Both great “out of the box” ideas. It seems necessity and being cheap rules the day. Thanks.

[chuckyb9876]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fas23mS0Pvc&t=24s

good luck with your search. Also, go to facebook.com and search for the "Forest River A-Frame Campers" forum as you will find some great people and A Frame specific input.