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Re: 2004 Viking 1706LS popup camper, uneven roof lift (HELP!)
shastagary wrote: if you read the posts here it may help you identify the system you have it does not look like there is much adjustment in these systems there held up with springs pulled with cables the springs could weaken over time I think '05 was the last year where Viking used the IDT lift system Although it doesn't bring any solution to my adjustment issue, it definitely explain lot of thing about the lifting system of my popup! Thank a lot. This is definitely the IDT system on my unit and it looks like a very crappy system that only been used during a few years. I even found about a safety recall for the falling roof that can cause injuries or death. But I found a conformity sticker on my unit saying it's been serviced about the recall, so at least this thing will not eventually kill me. As you said, this system doesn't look very adjustable so maybe I will consider modify the popup as a workaround to the issue, like moving the two front post mounting brackets 1.25 inch higher than rear of the roof... definitely a ghetto fix, but if I put the roof bracket 1.25 inch higher on front, that will make rear at the same height... sort of.1.6KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 2004 Viking 1706LS popup camper, uneven roof lift (HELP!)
p220sigman wrote: It looks kind of like a coleman style. Have you taken the cover off of the center section to see what adjustment may be inside? If it is a coleman style, take the cover off and you should see the wiffle tree with four eyebolts (one for each corner) with adjustment nuts. You adjust the length of the eyebolts to adjust the height of each corner. You can also raise the roof to extended position and put equal-length supports at each corner so the roof is at equal height on all four corners and then adjust the eyebolts as needed to lift equally. On my Viking the aluminium tube for the lifting system is a 1-piece tube and it doesn't have any removable cover... it looks like the only option to get inside (sort of) is from each ends but I don't exactly how. But the tube itself is 1-piece.1.6KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 2004 Viking 1706LS popup camper, uneven roof lift (HELP!)
shastagary wrote: a search like this comes up with a lot of results can you find what you need here? viking pop up camper roof lift or this see the recall viking pop up camper lift system diagram Thank you for this suggestion, but being myself an IT engineer for 21 years, I very well know how to use Google search... but all the results of these search are regarding repairing/replacing lift system out of a Viking pop-up, none of them are referencing on how to adjust this system. Morever, most of these results seem to refer to older Viking than mine (90's probably) that have a legacy lift system with visible cables. My system is 100% enclosed as you can see on the images and have no visible cables of any kind. :(1.6KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 2004 Viking 1706LS popup camper, uneven roof lift (HELP!)
schlep1967 wrote: I'm guessing here, but in the second picture there is a bolt head between the two tubes coming out of the long box. That may be your adjustment. I'd lower the roof first and then see if it turns. Good observation, but they are not bolts heads, they are only some round metal caps that can't be actually removed. I try to remove them to see what is underneath using a good pair of vice-grip pliers without any success.1.6KViews0likes0Comments2004 Viking 1706LS popup camper, uneven roof lift (HELP!)
I've found many thread about pop-up camper roof lifting system adjustment, but I've not found nothing that suit my exact pop-up lift system or maybe I need some more clear instructions with photos. Most of the information I found online refer to a system with some exposed binder that can be adjusted. But my popup feature a fully enclosed system without any visible moving/adjustable part at first glance. Actually the front of my popup roof is about 1.25 inch lower than the rear. I also noticed a slight difference (maybe 0.25 in) between the left and right but I don't think it's a big deal. The uneven front/rear roof is causing me several issue where the canvas are too tight on back and loose on front and I also have issue closing/opening the door as well. While I can still use my popup as is, I would like to adjust the roof to enjoy it completely. Thank you!! Here's my pop-up and here's what my lift system look like from under :3.3KViews0likes10CommentsRe: Towing a small popup with a 2017 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD?
parker.rowe wrote: It looks like the radiator dimensions are the same...might want to investigate just adding an external transmission cooler. If you go the the factory internal trans cooler, you can probably get the factory lines from toyota. It will cost more though. Not sure how hard the oil cooler will be. Me, I would skip it. But if it is easy to add go for it. Are you sure it had one as part of the tow package? Well based in the product's brochure, Toyota indicates that the "Trail" model comes with a tow package good for 3500 pounds and including an "upgraded" radiator (exact words they used), an engine oil and transmission cooler. This is exactly what the brochure said. Now you are right, the radiator dimensions are exactly the same on RockAuto, except that the "HD radiator" is indicated with a built-in oil cooler, where the non-HD don't have oil cooler. parker.rowe wrote: Funny you should say that...actually, that depends on the year. For quite a few trucks, the only difference between the 2500/250 and the 3500/350 was the weight sticker and some overload springs Yes, I also heard that often too! Back several years ago, in the late-90's or in the early-00's, I remember my father paying a few bucks to "upgrade" a 2500 pickup truck to 3500 just by replacing rear leaf spring suspension for a few bucks, then increase a lot the box load capacity. So it makes me feel like sometime the towing or the payload capacity is only a matter of a different sticker inside the door. By the way I just see by yesterday that Firestone Suspension Company is featuring a vehicle-specific rear air suspension helper for the Toyota RAV4 4WD. Adding air suspension helper are not increasing payload capacity properly speaking (as well), but it'll surely prevent any sagging, bouncing and also any possible "instability" for only a few bucks. Installation on this vehicle is 100% plug & play and drill-less.607Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing a small popup with a 2017 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD?
parker.rowe wrote: Check rock auto and see if they carry the HD cooling radiator for the truck. Then you can see what the difference is between that and the standard one. Yes, RockAuto have a specific part number for "HD" radiator with built-in oil cooler and it's listed for "RAV4 w/ towing package" in 2017-18. Retail price is 80$ USD for the radiator assembly. Now I need to figure out the other portion of the oil cooling system. Back several years ago, I owned a 2010 Jeep Patriot 4WD with the 2.4L where I haven't the factory tow package that increase towing cap from 1000 lb to 2000 lb, but the kit was sold directly at the dealer (MOPAR) for like 150$ and it include a secondary radiator, mounts, all hoses and the metal part that does between oil filter and the engine to bring coolant to cool the oil. The installation was super easy and I did it myself in my driveway in about 2 hour! Then I towed a 1600 pounds popup camper (not the one I own currently, a much bigger one) for thousands and thousands of miles without an issue. I wish that Toyota did the same for the RAV4, but apparently they don't! However I am pretty sure that I can build my own "kit" from aftermarket/jobber parts. I found the radiator assembly, now I need to find the part that bring coolant to the engine oil. For the coolant hose it's not a big deal since I can use universal coolant hose sold in bulk.607Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing a small popup with a 2017 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD?
parker.rowe wrote: I had a similar weight popup(not stripped, @1400lbs before gear) and I could pick up the tongue myself and roll it around. Not much tongue weight there unless you load lead bricks in the front. We towed it with a Traverse rated to tow 3500, although that is a much bigger "car-chassis" SUV. And with a pop up you don't get as much wind resistance issues that make a travel trailer harder to tow even if the weight's are in line. Check rock auto and see if they carry the HD cooling radiator for the truck. Then you can see what the difference is between that and the standard one. Yes, this is true if I compare with my previous 20 feet travel trailer I towed with the Caravan, where I have lot of wind resistance because of height and width, the popup feel totally invisible behind it. I even don't see any change in gas mileage. With my Caravan (V6 3.6L), on highway I am doing 27-28 MPG and last summer, with the pop-up camper behind it, I've done a few 1000-1300 miles road trip mostly on secondary roads (one specific trip was in the mountain) and the Caravan done 26 MPGd! So no need to mention how this small pop-up is light and easy to tow. Good point, I'm gonna check with RockAuto for cooling parts.607Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing a small popup with a 2017 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD?
rexlion wrote: What is the hitch weight of your popup when loaded for camping? Max hitch weight for the receiver is probably 350 lbs, but you should check on this. Since the trailer is "stripped out" (no propane, no battery, etc.) the tongue weight is extremely low, I can lift, pull or push the trailer by hand in my yard without any issue... seriously, it's very lightweight! rexlion wrote: Figure the weight of occupants, add the weight of options and any other cargo you'll carry in the vehicle, and maybe you have to add the weight of a full tank of gas. Now add the hitch weight to all of that. Are you bumping really close to 1000 lbs? I would say that I am surely pretty close to 1000. But in comparaison, I towed for a while a 20 feet travel trailer with my Grand Caravan (1500 pounds payload) where I have the same 4 passengers, but much of luggages (we are traveling for several weeks back that time) and tongue weight of the trailer was 400+ pounds (with weight distribution). So I was definitely near or over the 1500 pounds payload of the Caravan... without any issue for several years and thousands and thousands of miles in the mountain.609Views0likes0Comments
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