popup roof weight?
Anyone ever had occasion to actually weigh, or otherwise determine from a reliable source, the weight of a popup TC roof? If so, what is the weight, what kind of camper, and what else is included in ...
Forum Discussion
joerg68 wrote:
The roof we rebuilt had torsion springs inside the tubes that run along the length of the roof. They load when the roof is lowered, and unload when it is raised again. That would throw off your calculations.
That is also the reason why the rear corners of the older roofs tend to soften and give way. They have to bear the torque of the loaded spring when the roof is down.
Also the scissor mechanism should better only be removed when the springs are unloaded...
I don't know if my Outfitter had the springs or not, but I had the electric lift and did not really care.
Mine don't and I think both Northstar and Hallmark have switched to the RT lift system.
For one, there are no interior tubes that intrude into the already tight living quarters and the system is enclosed but still adjustable (via limit switches). It uses an enclosed screw jack system driven with 4 12 volt electric motors, wired to a single rocker switch and/or wireless remote. You can manually actuate it via a drill motor but mine has never even given me a hiccup.
No springs, no internal (in the cabin area) tubing or pivots, nothing to lubricate and nothing on the outside of the unit wither.
4 rectangular telescoping posts with the drive motors inside. Very clean and takes up very little room.
I think my 150 pound load capacity has to do with accessory loading and nothing to do with roof weight.
