Outfitter electric roof lift system?

[Geewizard]

Anyone have the Rieco-Titan electric roof lift system in their pop-up TC?

I'm thinking of upgrading and want to know if there are problems, issues, etc?

[magic43]

Geewizard wrote:
My Outfitter is now 14 years old. How long will that rubber roof last?

We also have an '04 model Apex-8. It continues to serve us well but it's nice to know that there are option available. I cut/extended/welded the length of the handle which solved the roof raising issues.

[joerg68]

I am not familiar with the Rieco Titan system. Does their lift have individual motors for each corner? Or are they commonly driven? In the latter case the reson would be mechanical I guess.

If it is individual motors, one of them could be stuck/broken (bad) or just not get power (less bad). If it is just a broken wire, a loose connection, a blown fuse or a stuck relay it should be fairly easy to find and fix. Maybe run some wires directly to the motor and see if it moves. But only do that if you know what you are doing, though.

Googling the issue shows that apparently the actuators can and do fail, so you may have to replace parts...

[wyosteve]

Just joined to see if anyone has any ideas. Have a 2015 Palomino Backpack SS1500 with the Rieco Titan roof lift system. Had major problems this weekend. Contacted Rieco with not much help. Roof has been acting fine. Parked Thurs. night, raised roof with no problem. Lowered roof next morning no problem. Drove 150 miles, unloaded camper from truck, all level. Roof would not raise in one corner. Ended up using the manual lift method (what a major PIA!). Went to lower roof yesterday, roof would not come down symmetrically. Had to hold/raise different corners with my arms. finally got it lowered. Seems to be some kind of synchronization problem. Any thoughts?

[Geewizard]

cewillis wrote:

Geewizard wrote:
My Outfitter is now 14 years old. How long will that rubber roof last?

Not that long - in places - in my case. (tree limbs!)
Many think there are better compressor fridges now --

Yep, in my case a sign that scraped along the side of the rubber roof.

I like my Tundra fridge and will keep it but thanks for the input.

[Geewizard]

sljohnson1938 wrote:
when we had our Outfitter Apex 9.5 we had the manual crank up roof. took 17 turns of the crank to raise the roof. only took a 1/2 minute or so. coming down it took less of course. I would turn on the exhaust fan, do a few turns, wait a second then do more.
was never a problem, but if I ever get another pop up camper it will have an auto system.

I do the same now and it's not a problem BUT my wife cannot. And with getting a new roof, now is the opportune time to get the ELS installed.

[Geewizard]

whazoo wrote:

Geewizard wrote:

whazoo wrote:
No sweat, some lift systems are pretty weird.

Bob, I need a new roof too! But I just got new sidewall last year and didn't have the money for one. I know where the bank is if you have a fast car.

My Tundra is pretty fast, Whazoo! Got a ski mask?

I'll just turn my trapper hat around backwards.

Works for me! I'd like a pic of that, Whazoo. :W

[joerg68]

The Outfitter has latches in the front, even with the lift.

[Oldtymeflyr]

A nice feature of the electric roof lift system is that it can be lifted from outside the camper and inside of the truck. My understanding is that with the electric lift system no latches are necessary. The ELS would clamp down pretty tight.

[cewillis]

Geewizard wrote:
My Outfitter is now 14 years old. How long will that rubber roof last?

Not that long - in places - in my case. (tree limbs!)
Many think there are better compressor fridges now --

[sljohnson1938]

when we had our Outfitter Apex 9.5 we had the manual crank up roof. took 17 turns of the crank to raise the roof. only took a 1/2 minute or so. coming down it took less of course. I would turn on the exhaust fan, do a few turns, wait a second then do more.
was never a problem, but if I ever get another pop up camper it will have an auto system.

[whazoo]

Geewizard wrote:

whazoo wrote:
No sweat, some lift systems are pretty weird.

Bob, I need a new roof too! But I just got new sidewall last year and didn't have the money for one. I know where the bank is if you have a fast car.

My Tundra is pretty fast, Whazoo! Got a ski mask?

I'll just turn my trapper hat around backwards.

[Geewizard]

joerg68 wrote:
This link has all the pictures from our old camper:

https://goo.gl/photos/1KURMEFcbGpUWrkK7

There are some where you can see the roof lift stuff.
The lift motor is on the drivers side, under the bedside storage. Very poorly accessible.

Thanks!

[Geewizard]

cewillis wrote:

Geewizard wrote:
I've spoken to Outfitter and they will indeed retrofit an electric roof lift system in my 2004 Apex 8. And a new fiberglass roof. And new sidewall fabric.

Getting close to 20% of the cost of a new camper there --. But I might do it too some day. Maybe toss in a newer compressor fridge and a cassette toilet (if you don't already have it) while the roof is off.
Currently thinking of a different plan.

I have a Tundra compressor fridge already. And the toilet can stay.

The way I see it, a new fiberglass roof protects my investment and it's like getting your house re-roofed when the shingles get too bad.

My Outfitter is now 14 years old. How long will that rubber roof last?

[Geewizard]

whazoo wrote:
No sweat, some lift systems are pretty weird.

Bob, I need a new roof too! But I just got new sidewall last year and didn't have the money for one. I know where the bank is if you have a fast car.

My Tundra is pretty fast, Whazoo! Got a ski mask?