Hallmark Guanella pop-top

[jnsloth1]

We purchased a Hallmark Guanella pop-top camper in 2016 and have driven it all over USA and Canada since then. It has been a great camper for us.  We have raised and lowered the top by using an electric drill and bit inserted in the opening show in photo.  It appears that the mechanism which raises and lowers the top has worn out. The top is partially up and I can no longer move it up or down using either a drill or the hand crank, both of which fit securely into the opening. When I use the drill it sounds like something may be stripped. Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can fix this? We're in Oregon and it's too far to drive to Hallmark in Colorado for repairs, particularly when I can't close the top. Any helpful advice appreciated.

[Grit_dog · Accepted solution]

Maybe the username sloth is in reference to replying to helpful posts such as these nice men have posted?

[jnsloth1]

You're right.  We just got back from XC trip and I just haven't had time to follow up.  As per one suggestion I contacted the manufacturer and got instructions for the "easy fix" which enabled me to get the top down but it's still not going up w/o skipping.  This, according to the manufacturer, is a sign of a more significant problem which will likely entail replacing a worn out part which I will need to gain access to by further disassembling the mechanism. That's my next step when I have a little more time to work on it.

[MNtundraRet]

If you cannot get it down, you may have to get a tarp to go cover the pop-up until you can get to a place to repair it.

Tie it down good. I had to do that to a tent-trailer we owned. We made it to a place to get it fixed.

[jnsloth1]

Got it down.  Now have to figure out how to get it back up.

[MORSNOW]

I'm with Bedlam, you need to follow back from the drive mechanism to find the issue as it is probably just a shear pin that wore though by the gear set. 

[jnsloth1]

I'm pretty sure you're right.  I did manage to get it down but it's still slipping when I try to put out up.  I will need to disassemble the mechanism so I can find what .needs to be replaced

[Bedlam]

Not sure if yours like the one I saw. It had a flex shaft like what you find in a weed eater shaft between the engine and string head. When this flex shaft breaks, you cannot raise or lower the top.

You need took at what and where this drive is connected to. If it goes directly to drive gears, there may be a shear pin that failed. Regardless, a little disassembly and inspection may find something easy or harder to fix, but you should be able to get to the next part of the mechanism where you can lower the top until repairs are made.

[jnsloth1]

I did get top down.  Need to figure out where to go from there,

[MNtundraRet]

I would contact the manufacturer. Either they, or the dealer should be able to explain how the mechanism works.

Can you see from underneath if there is a cable or chain-drive that is off a track?

[jnsloth1]

Thanks for your suggestion. I contacted the manufacturer and got instructions for the "easy fix" which enabled me to get the top down but it's still not going up w/o skipping.  This, according to the manufacturer, is a sign of a more significant problem which will likely entail replacing a worn out part which I will need to gain access to by further disassembling the mechanism. That's my next step when I have a little more time to work on it.  Thanks again.