Power roof winch

daverobenolt · 12-12-2014, 09:23 AM

I have a Flagstaff Mac 246d. I tried to raise the roof manually with a drill and the hex head bolt broke. Any thoughts why? And has anyone had this happen? I've never raised it manually before. Just thought I would try in case I ever needed to.

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TURBS · 12-12-2014, 09:25 AM

Drill may have had to much torque.
I don't know if I'd use much more then the supplied crank.

daverobenolt · 12-12-2014, 01:17 PM

Thanks! I heard the crank can take a long time! I think your right though to much torque, I used my 18v impact driver. I think a regular cordless drill would probably be ok. I'm going to try it when I repair it. I guess it's just a matter of replacing the bolt, which I'll replace with a grade 8. Thanks again!

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f5moab · 12-12-2014, 07:51 PM

I've use a 18V Dewalt a few times to raise/lower the roof, BUT before cranking with the drill, I turn it manually to make sure the bolt is free using the drill. And I make sure to keep that bolt heavily greased as recommended by the manufacture.

And yea, cranking by hand is a long process; using the drill is a lot longer than using the winch motor.

daverobenolt · 12-12-2014, 08:21 PM

It's well greased! And I will try cranking up a little bit first, that will probably help. Thanks!

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Lathrop bob · 12-24-2014, 03:05 AM

A normal drill would work, impact drivers destroy the gears.

steamboatscott · 03-29-2015, 02:35 PM

Yap, this is exactly why I didn't opt for a power winch. Saw a guy have to do it by hand once when the power didn't work anymore. Took him 50 minutes!

For those deciding between power versus manual, I've got a video at Power -vs- Manual Winch | Popup Camping 101 that shows how quick and easy (one handed) it is even with the manual version.

f5moab · 03-29-2015, 03:52 PM

"you’re left with about 45 minutes of cranking" Not true if you have a power drill and most seem to carry one for the stabilizers. I do, and have used it a few times. Takes a bit longer, but no "sweat."

steamboatscott · 03-29-2015, 04:08 PM

Yap - the guy I saw didn't have a drill or adapter to use mine. I decided never to be that guy and never mind cranking by hand.

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