Pop-up lift options?

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

As we've looked at Popup truck campers, we see several systems for raising the roof. Many of the older ones have the cantilevered bars with a crank on the inside - I can see a bonus in offering a place to hang wet towels. The '02 Palomino we looked at had an exterior crank, similar to a popup trailer; and this seemed to offer more interior cabinet space. Four Wheel has cantilevers on the ends with a D-handled thing.

Is there anything we should be leery of? They all seem like proven systems.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Oldtymeflyr wrote:
Regardless of the camper you choose, the Fantastic fan does help with cranking the top down and sucking in the canvas. Our Outfitter has it and it works well.

I've got the 2-piece door. Even if I was lucky enough to have a Fantastic Fan (I'm not) - it won't help. I DO, however, have a really tall husband with the wingspan of a Condor. Guess who the Official Canvas Tucker will be? 😉 I'll just lounge around the camper eating bon-bons until he tells me I can lower that last 2"....LOL!!!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

WVbassmistress wrote:
Congrats, Deb!!
Don't you just love doing those little things that make it your own??
Enjoy!

I'm making lists. LOOOONG ones 🙂

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Awesome info!! I've got the Heco (interior) system on my 1995 Bronco 1200. I'm making lists and will have a LOT more questions in the near future 🙂

[bcbouy]

fyi,canvasreplacement.com is a supplier for all heco replacement parts.i believe they own the company now.

[Oldtymeflyr]

Regardless of the camper you choose, the Fantastic fan does help with cranking the top down and sucking in the canvas. Our Outfitter has it and it works well.

Secondly, Heco is a good lift but it will eat old cranks. The old cranks have a soft gear and they just wear out. Plan on buying a new crank.

Good luck!

[WVbassmistress]

mkirsch wrote:
The Heco lift might drop the roof on you and kill you if it breaks, but at least you have the roof lowered and can get home in a pinch.

You crack me up!

[mkirsch]

I think the cutoff point was either 2001 or 2002 in Palominos for whether you get the internal Heco lift, or the external lift. My 2000 has the internal Heco lift.

The Heco lift is simple and has been rugged and reliable in my experience. My only beef with it is that it's on the inside of the camper, requiring two extra "oompa-loompa" walks through the camper per trip. One to get to the lift to raise the camper, and a second to let the camper down the last 2" after tucking the canvas.

My greener grass vision is the external lift control on the newer versions. Of course it appears to be much more complicated, and may not be as rugged. If it uses cables like a popup trailer, they can be trouble after a while.

The Heco lift might drop the roof on you and kill you if it breaks, but at least you have the roof lowered and can get home in a pinch.

[WVbassmistress]

Congrats, Deb!!
Don't you just love doing those little things that make it your own??
Enjoy!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

s1214 wrote:
Currently I have both a hanging cot 'nightstand' and a hanging camp cupboard.

Oooh - I have one of those!!! Thanks for the hint!

And it will work perfectly with my JUST-PURCHASED 1995 Palomino Bronco 1200!!! I don't have it home yet - but am already in full-blown "nesting mode"....LOL!!

[DemingNM2009]

We had a Palomino with an external crank. It was a pain to put down because we had to tuck the canvass in from the outside, especially in the rain. We were camped in a severe thunderstorm and didn't dare go out to put the top down. We now have a Northstar with an internal crank and a fan to suck the canvass in when lowering the top. Much nicer!!!!

[Geewizard]

My Outfitter has an inside crank. No problems since 2004.

[hedgehopper]

Our Phoenix did not have a crank. It used muscle power.

[s1214]

On my second pop-up. A SunLite and a NorthStar. Both have the interior crank. Never had a problem with either. The interior lift 'bars' provide a handy place to hang things. Currently I have both a hanging cot 'nightstand' and a hanging camp cupboard. They provide plenty of extra storage and move out of the way when the roof is closed.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to assume that I'd notice a "cranky" crank if I encountered one... so I'll continue the search!