Lifting tension on Rockwood A frame

[riverruby]

Does anyone know how, if even possible, to adjust the lifting tension a a 2014 Rockwood A194HW. I would like to make it easier to lift due to physical disabilities. The dealer could not provide an answer but promised to contact the manufacture. Forest River has no customer support, no online support, not even a phone number that I can find.

[riverruby]

Never new these sites even existed. Very interesting. Thanks

[lasttruck]

BTW, we have a group member who is replacing the roof springs in her 1994 Chalet with new ones...during the earthquake swarm in Anaheim.

Chalet Camping (Chalet, Aliner, Rockwood, Flagstaff, StarCraft A-Frames)

[riverruby]

Thanks lasttruck. I plan on hooking-up next week for a short camp trip.

[lasttruck]

Stepping inside to lift as soon as you can helps. Pushing up on the roof as far away from the hinge as you can gives you better leverage.

The springs in all of the A-frames appear to be the same and are not adjustable. If you make it too easy to open, it would be harder to close.

[riverruby]

Thanks, Am I reading that you do not place the grove of the axe handle in the lifting handle but where you can get the most leverage? Sounds like a good idea and does work for you. I think that I may not hav been following the manual as I have been leveling the camper box with the on board jacks and tounge jack. This may be putting a bind on the roof sections especially near apex. The front section does not fall into place and lock the two together as it should. Next outing I will park it as level as I can, maybe use Lynx leveling blocks which I have, then level front to back with the power tounge jack,raise the roof and just stablished with the on board jacks. I think an axe handle is longer than the three ft dowel I have so might be better.

[slowp]

I have a Chalet and I'm short. I don't use a step stool for raising the roof.
I had an axe handle and cut a V in it. I sprayed that rubber handle stuff into the V. You find the right spot on the roof panel side and push it with the modified axe handle. It does take some ooomph.

[riverruby]

ElBesoBlanco: no change in lifting. I will use the step stool to turn on and off the Fantastic Fan, I am 5'8" and cannot reach the open knob. I will try a taller step stool as where I have the problem is the last part of the lift. I did lift the roofs with a 1"X3' hardwood dowel cheater. Hate to admit that the problem is more likely me then the unit. BTH way I have a sister in Buckley Wa

[ElBesoBlanco]

Riverruby, yes the roof panel stays up long enough to move to the other side. I have the Flagstaff toyhauler A-frame. You are so lucky that you got an included step stool(and built in leveler too!) It's worth a try. Look forward to hearing if it worked for you!!

[riverruby]

Wow, another great idea! Does the front wall stay up long enough to move to the back wall? I could do it very quickly by using the step stool only on the back wall lift handle. BTW the stool included is light weight folding aluminum, very sturdy also. I read somewhere that is the sole purpose for the included step. Could it be that the A194 HW roof is heavier or just a higher lift distant. I found out early on the unit must perfectly level and that the built in bubble level in way off and not adjustable.

[ElBesoBlanco]

Well Riverruby, you made out with your RV dealer because my Flagstaff by Forest River didn't have an included step stool, it's not a standard option, it's an extra purchase like a water hose or chocks. I bought one just for the increased height purpose.

I will share my ultimate preference for lift: I find it even easier to push the one end up about 3/4 and scootch over to the other side with my trusty step stool and finish the lift. It all depends how tired I am after my drive. I've never had a problem with partially lifting the side on front end and completing it by moving to the rear end. Hope that makes sense. Haha if my spouse is watching, I do it all one side but truth be told, I prefer the two end method. Haha 😉

[riverruby]

Forest River does include a step stool for just that purpose. I use it. Raising it part way and blocking it there and then going inside maybe a option, might be dangerous for me but I will check it out. It might be the easiest . I plan on going to a nearby campground tuesday or wednesday.

[Brad_T]

I saw a demo a week or so ago, maybe utube, the man raised his roof the usual way about half way then stepped inside and pushed it up the rest of the way.

[ElBesoBlanco]

It might help to lift the roof panel by you gaining a little more leverage by standing on a small step stool.

I am not very tall (5'4") and I have raised the roof without the stepping stool with a deep breath and a hard push HOWEVER, it's so much easier with a few more inches of height. No deep breath or heavy push to bring it up.

[riverruby]

Rexlion & Brad T : Thanks for reply and concern.
Yes I did see the rods behind that curtain. I and the dealer mechanic believed that they are guide tubes for an enclosed cable. From each side of the trailer they go to the center and then disappear into the wall. Too many twists and turns to be torsion bar ? But you very well may have answered my question. The dealer mech poped the cap on one of the 3/4 X 10 inch square tubes that the tubes or rods tie into and said there was nothing inside to adjust. When I have the roof raised again I can draw a straight line on that rod, close roof and crawl inside and if it is still a straight line it would not be a t-bar. If the line is twisted it would be a t-bar and there will be no way to adjust. So, off to Home Depot to buy a 3' cheater bar to stick into the lift handle. Further thinking has me thinking you are right.