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Old 04-16-2021, 09:18 PM   #1
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Powerwinch mounted on frame wrong?

Hi all,
First time posting. My powerwinch appears mounted incorrectly on the trailer frame, like the metal was purposely bent downward so the winch mounts all the way underneath the frame. There no way for me to access the nut to manually crank it. Reason I went looking for that is the winch stopped lifting. It goes for about 12 inches then stops. I messed with the lower limit screw as the motor just continued running after the roof was all the way lowered.
Anyone ever heard of a winch mounted this way?
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Old 04-16-2021, 09:23 PM   #2
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What is the winch mounted on?
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Old 04-16-2021, 09:29 PM   #3
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What is the winch mounted on?
It’s mounted on the meta piece of the frame that is supposed to be up at an angle and you can see that it has been bent down so it’s flush with the top of the frame.
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Old 04-16-2021, 10:46 PM   #4
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No. I mean is that a camper, truck, atv or what. I can't make it out by the picture.
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Old 04-16-2021, 10:48 PM   #5
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No. I mean is that a camper, truck, atv or what. I can't make it out by the picture.
Sorry, it’s a 2017 Rockwood HW277 pop up.
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Old 04-17-2021, 07:29 PM   #6
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This looks all kinda wrong to me. I have a 2015 HW276. In the pics the winch is under the box casing. The round black cover on the side in the second pic covers the manual access. There is nothing below the camper frame.
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Old 04-17-2021, 08:04 PM   #7
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The more I think about it it looks like the winch and mounting bracket were pushed forward and down.
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Old 04-17-2021, 09:28 PM   #8
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Yeah that’s what I thought, that’s how mine SHOULD be mounted but the winch mount was bent down either at the factory, or by the first owner!
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Old 04-18-2021, 01:48 PM   #9
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The more I think about it it looks like the winch and mounting bracket were pushed forward and down.
Yep, and the “wings” of the steel frame appear to have been welded to the frame after that section was bent down and forward!
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Old 04-19-2021, 11:24 AM   #10
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Geez, that's pretty hard to imagine why they would do that. We just popped ours up after sitting for nearly a year and of course the UP on the winch wouldn't work (always something). Fortunately I had another switch on hand and changed it out and all good now. Going on our first trip since last June, and can't wait.
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Old 07-16-2021, 10:46 PM   #11
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We just purchased a brand new 2318G. First time out and the winch switch fell apart in my hand when we started to set it up. After pulling off the plastic cover we noticed the exact same thing you referenced above. Its actually the reason I'm posting here now.

It appears that either the winch was mounted incorrectly or it was pulled down by the cable. After "fixing it" with a pry bar, jack and a hammer we were able to jump the switch and get the camper up. However it stopped short and we are unable to get it any farther. Its far enough for use but at this point we'll have to jump the switch again to get it down and then take it in to get fixed. Given turnaround times nowadays I might as well start planning for 2022.

Not and ideal start to our camper life. I'll post pictures when I have a chance to upload. Should Be a fun warranty issue.
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Old 07-17-2021, 02:39 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Marsbar View Post
We just purchased a brand new 2318G. First time out and the winch switch fell apart in my hand when we started to set it up. After pulling off the plastic cover we noticed the exact same thing you referenced above. Its actually the reason I'm posting here now.

It appears that either the winch was mounted incorrectly or it was pulled down by the cable. After "fixing it" with a pry bar, jack and a hammer we were able to jump the switch and get the camper up. However it stopped short and we are unable to get it any farther. Its far enough for use but at this point we'll have to jump the switch again to get it down and then take it in to get fixed. Given turnaround times nowadays I might as well start planning for 2022.

Not and ideal start to our camper life. I'll post pictures when I have a chance to upload. Should Be a fun warranty issue.
There are a few stories on here about the winch "bending" the frame down. Enough that I want to weld a brace to both sides to prevent it myself. I see the part it attaches to flexing constantly when going up on mine
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Old 07-18-2021, 02:38 PM   #13
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That's exactly what I was thinking. Even after we got it bent back the metal started pulling itself down. Didn't matter whether it was moving the top up or down. We had to wedge a 2x8 between the post and the bent metal to stop it from bending back down. Seems like shoring up the sides of the metal winch bracket would be a good idea. Wondering if the flex is "built-in" to avoid snapping the cable under pressure. Sounds like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.
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Old 07-18-2021, 08:24 PM   #14
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That's exactly what I was thinking. Even after we got it bent back the metal started pulling itself down. Didn't matter whether it was moving the top up or down. We had to wedge a 2x8 between the post and the bent metal to stop it from bending back down. Seems like shoring up the sides of the metal winch bracket would be a good idea. Wondering if the flex is "built-in" to avoid snapping the cable under pressure. Sounds like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.
I posted elsewhere how the roof lift works. Essentially the cable "pushes" 4 spring steel cables up through the tubes under the pup that go to the corners. They go up in to the roof lifter telescoping posts and "push" the roof up.

I wouldn't worry too much about flex taking up slack since its pushing steel springs.
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