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12-26-2018, 01:07 PM
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#201
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 484
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Well we were getting ready to headout for a 4 night trip. I went to lower the roof... nothing happened :-( no buzz, grind or anything...
Unbolted the upper arm of the acuator (tight nut, rusted) went to unbolt the lower and broke the bolt at the attachment point :-( . Got it off and lowered the roof. I need a broom to raise and lower the roof anyways.
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2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
Flagstaff T21TBHW
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09-12-2019, 11:02 PM
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#202
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 18
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I have a 2016 214HW trailer that came with the electric roof actuator. I am now on my third one AND the unit is damnably hard to get up or down when the unit fails halfway!
Yes, the unit is under warranty but I don't have time for this crap on an otherwise great little trailer.
I have changed out the Forest River actuator for a Truck Camper lift jack and I doubt I will ever have a problem lifting the roof again...
I truly hope Forest River's other products are more reliable than their piece of junk roof actuator!?
bwa
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09-13-2019, 06:58 AM
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#203
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: South central, PA
Posts: 184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwallan
.......I have changed out the Forest River actuator for a Truck Camper lift jack and I doubt I will ever have a problem lifting the roof again...
I truly hope Forest River's other products are more reliable than their piece of junk roof actuator!?
bwa
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I went through 2 faulty FR actuators, both lasted approx. 1 yr. I am now using a homemade lift bar an RV shop installed along with two gas struts.
Could you please take some photos of where you installed your Truck Camper lift jack and how/where you installed it? Also a link to the product?
I looked it up and some have remotes....could you use one with yours?
Thanks in advance.
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Furkids - Max & Tessa
2015 A194HW
2015 Ford Explorer
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09-13-2019, 12:26 PM
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#204
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brewjaz
I went through 2 faulty FR actuators, both lasted approx. 1 yr. I am now using a homemade lift bar an RV shop installed along with two gas struts.
Could you please take some photos of where you installed your Truck Camper lift jack and how/where you installed it? Also a link to the product?
I looked it up and some have remotes....could you use one with yours?
Thanks in advance.
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The lift jack I installed is an hydraulic unit. I simply built a bracket to clamp a metal plate to the top of the jack. The plate has a hole that attaches to the bolt used by the FR actuator. The foot of the lift jack sits on a 16" higher wooden box. I store the jack and box in my truck box when it's not holding the trailer roof up.
I'll forward a picture next time I've got the jack in use.
The jack I'm using is:
https://www.riecotitan.com/camperjac...raulicjack.php
bwa
P.S.: A brand new FR electric lifter, provided under warranty, is stored with the remainder of my unused camping stuff. I doubt it will ever see the light of day!?
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09-16-2019, 01:38 PM
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#205
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: South central, PA
Posts: 184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwallan
The lift jack I installed is an hydraulic unit. I simply built a bracket to clamp a metal plate to the top of the jack. The plate has a hole that attaches to the bolt used by the FR actuator. The foot of the lift jack sits on a 16" higher wooden box. I store the jack and box in my truck box when it's not holding the trailer roof up.
I'll forward a picture next time I've got the jack in use.
The jack I'm using is:
https://www.riecotitan.com/camperjac...raulicjack.php
bwa
P.S.: A brand new FR electric lifter, provided under warranty, is stored with the remainder of my unused camping stuff. I doubt it will ever see the light of day!?
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Thanks--I'll keep an eye out for the picture of the jack in use.
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Furkids - Max & Tessa
2015 A194HW
2015 Ford Explorer
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09-17-2019, 08:22 AM
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#206
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 82
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Yes, but that jack is >$500. A replacement actuator is much less, although also less permanent. Gas struts would seem to be the cheapest fix.
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2023 Geo Pro 19FD
2018 Kia Sorento 6cyl AWD
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09-17-2019, 11:25 AM
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#207
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brewjaz
Thanks--I'll keep an eye out for the picture of the jack in use.
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Attached image shows hydraulic jack in use. The top mounting point is a flat metal plate welded to two 2" muffler clamps. A hole in the plate simply goes over the original attachment point of the FR lifter.
Pricing on this unit is all over the place. My RV dealership quoted me $750. Amazon was a bit better. My local NAPA dealer brought one in for $350 but it didn't come with a mounting kit (which I didn't require anyway). Used/rebuilt units are also available.
Optionally, look for a mechanical screw type truck camper jack. These come in motorized versions or manual. With a manual unit a power drill can be used to extend the unit.
bwa
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09-17-2019, 11:41 AM
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#208
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bruc33ef
Yes, but that jack is >$500. A replacement actuator is much less, although also less permanent. Gas struts would seem to be the cheapest fix.
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Works for me. If I had a working actuator I'd take it off and put gas springs on.
Easier, faster and durable.
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09-17-2019, 01:25 PM
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#209
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: South central, PA
Posts: 184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwallan
Attached image shows hydraulic jack in use. The top mounting point is a flat metal plate welded to two 2" muffler clamps. A hole in the plate simply goes over the original attachment point of the FR lifter.
Pricing on this unit is all over the place. My RV dealership quoted me $750. Amazon was a bit better. My local NAPA dealer brought one in for $350 but it didn't come with a mounting kit (which I didn't require anyway). Used/rebuilt units are also available.
Optionally, look for a mechanical screw type truck camper jack. These come in motorized versions or manual. With a manual unit a power drill can be used to extend the unit.
bwa
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Thank you so much for the info and photo. I'll keep for future reference.
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Furkids - Max & Tessa
2015 A194HW
2015 Ford Explorer
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09-17-2019, 07:24 PM
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#210
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Posts: 262
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I think A-frame owners best recourse is a class action lawsuit asking for gas struts as a replacement for the OEM actuator
Roy
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09-18-2019, 06:07 AM
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#211
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by royboy334
I think A-frame owners best recourse is a class action lawsuit asking for gas struts as a replacement for the OEM actuator
Roy
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I hear you. But you can get two 60 pounders for $60 and four brackets for $12.
Lawyers are pretty good at math.
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09-18-2019, 10:33 AM
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#212
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Posts: 262
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Wow! Tell me where and I’ll order them instead of installing a new actuator
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09-18-2019, 02:04 PM
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#213
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by royboy334
Wow! Tell me where and I’ll order them instead of installing a new actuator
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http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...er-182535.html
The link to the Gas Springs in the initial post is to 40 lbs not 60s. I corrected it a few posts later.
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04-21-2020, 03:20 PM
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#214
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
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Has anyone found a replacement linear actuator for a 213hw other than from Rockwood?
Mine sounds like me getting out of bed and it's just a matter of time.
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04-21-2020, 04:20 PM
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#215
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Abbotsford BC
Posts: 20
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Actuator
If you want the same OEM actuator, Forest River Rockwood is your only option unless you know the 'actual' OEM for the actuator - I do not. I rec'd my replacement very quickly and was a much better unit than came with our 212HW and worked great!
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04-21-2020, 05:34 PM
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#216
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 18
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I had a Forest River A-Frame same issue. Found it was poor mfg of the actuator, dirt, grit and such got into the mechanism.
They replaced it for me for free but I did not use it.
I put on two more gas struts on the roof panel that had the actuator connected to.
Each was a 40 pound gas strut.
Took 1 hour to do each (you need a backer board inside for the screws will have something to connect to. I used decorative 4" squares like the old homes used to have at the upper corners of interior door trim. Looked great.
When through and I was ready to test the system installed, I unhooked the two clips/hooks (whatever they are called and the roof went up half way instantly.
Not so fast it scared me or that it might do harm. But it opened in 3 seconds and I could lift the roof system with my two hands using the roof handle that is on the passenger side rear side of the trailer.
Pulling it down (I'm only 5'-8'' and am 68) I built a 4 foot 1.5'' closet dowel with a hook on the end to grab the handle on the rear roof panel and it came down perfectly. I held it down and snapped the retainer devices and it was a done deal.
Go away from the ele actuator. It was a mistake in engineering .
Doc
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