Lift Motor Gear

[f5moab]

Hi,
New here, and I have a question. I have a Flagstaff 228BH that I purchased last fall in Denver. When lowering the roof for the THIRD time after my third camping trip, the gear on the motor shattered and the top dropped from almost full open to full close in about one second.

Since i live in Moab UT, I took it over to Humprey's RV in Grand Junction, CO for repair. I had to pay, and I emailed the receipt to Sam at Forest River (who has been great) and he has forwarded for payment.

Lucky for me there was someone nearby who was able to help me push up on the top so I could tuck in the side curtains and eventually get it locked down. (If no one was there, I would have had to cargo strap the top down and tow it.) Lucky for me, this was an early spring camping trip and I was fairly close to where I live.

It took Humphrey's about a three weeks to repair and that was primarily due to waiting for the parts, and I did tell them there was NO hurry since I did not plan on heading out with it until May. (Believe me, Humphrey's RV in Grand Junction has been great, even though they no longer sell popups they still service them...a lot better than Scott RV in Grand Junction who would not even touch the trailer, even if I paid, because I purchased a Flagstaff and not a Rockwood from them...and that is a complete other story.)

My question....is this normal?

Thanks,

D

[BigBaron]

I hope not...

[MuddauberE]

Originally Posted by BigBaron

I hope not...

Same here. I have a rockwood HW276 and the top is really heavy. Would hate to see it fall at full force!

[GalsofEscape]

I did not have the gear break but on our Rockwood HW277, the lift cable broke while lifting the top and the top came slamming down. It was a struggle to tuck the canvas all in but luckly our adult son was home to help and it happened at home. This happened in our second season. The dealer said "it happens"..... but I was not expecting it with such a new camper.

[MuddauberE]

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

I did not have the gear break but on our Rockwood HW277, the lift cable broke while lifting the top and the top came slamming down. It was a struggle to tuck the canvas all in but luckly our adult son was home to help and it happened at home. This happened in our second season. The dealer said "it happens"..... but I was not expecting it with such a new camper.

Those lifts make a really odd sound like they are going to snap every time I lift the top. Has since day one and they even replaced the cable a few years ago. Still the same uneasy sound. "It happens"? Makes me want to Roo

[GalsofEscape]

Yes, it made that sound! But it has not since they replaced the cable.

[MuddauberE]

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

Yes, it made that sound! But it has not since they replaced the cable.

Lucky you!

[GalsofEscape]

I hope it remains so cuz I really like my HW277.

[jeeplj8]

Is it normal to have the drive gear on the electric winch shatter? NO. That is not normal. Most probably a casting defect when made. If anything, it would be more likely to have some teeth strip.

I have seen electric lift systems from the late 90's on the big Coleman's still working to this day.