I'm thinking of upgrading and want to know if there are problems, issues, etc?
2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2014 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
300W solar, MPPT controller, LED lights
Xantrex Freedom X Inverter 3000W
2 Fullriver 105AH AGM batteries
Air Lift WirelessAIR and air bags
Hankook Dynapro ATM 10-ply tires
We liked the option.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
It had no up / down end switches, you would just drive the motor into the clutchbif you continued pressing the button. But that was not an issue for us; the lift was very slow (maybe 2 minutes for a full lift).
There is a manual emergency override at the camper side. You would need to stand on a ladder to use it.
Never gave us trouble in the 4 years or so we used the camper.
I think a conversion can be done, but it is a pretty involved project. I'd try to get the factory to do it.
2014 Ford F350 XLT 6.2 SCLB + 2017 Northstar Arrow
Geewizard wrote:
You mean it doesn't have a travel limiter? So the operator has to stop at the right height?
You mean it doesn't have a travel limiter? So the operator has to stop at the right height?
Not on mine. I have upper adjustable limit switches on each corner that sets the up travel and the down travel as well.
Never had issue one. Very nice (and unobtrusive) system.
2015 Backpack SS1500
1997 Ford 7.3 OBS 4x4 CC LB
SidecarFlip wrote:
Not on mine. I have upper adjustable limit switches on each corner that sets the up travel and the down travel as well.
Never had issue one. Very nice (and unobtrusive) system.
Geewizard wrote:
You mean it doesn't have a travel limiter? So the operator has to stop at the right height?
You mean it doesn't have a travel limiter? So the operator has to stop at the right height?
Not on mine. I have upper adjustable limit switches on each corner that sets the up travel and the down travel as well.
Never had issue one. Very nice (and unobtrusive) system.
You're real big on your "unobtrusive" system. Maybe you haven't seen an Outfitter lift system. The lift rods and torsion bars do not take up any room in the your words "crowded interior."
Bob, you can do a retro from crank to HappiJac electric system but like said by Joerg, better off if Outfitter did it if they still offer to do it. And they may not anymore I don't know. It's a big hassle for sure. I had to go that way after adding a rooftop storage along with canoe and ac. I could barely crank it by hand. I believe all their campers come with electric lift now. Yes, it is a bit slower.
Wazoo, and others, thanks for your input. 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.
Just a matter of scheduling now.
whazoo wrote:
You're real big on your "unobtrusive" system. Maybe you haven't seen an Outfitter lift system. The lift rods and torsion bars do not take up any room in the your words "crowded interior."
Bob, you can do a retro from crank to HappiJac electric system but like said by Joerg, better off if Outfitter did it if they still offer to do it. And they may not anymore I don't know. It's a big hassle for sure. I had to go that way after adding a rooftop storage along with canoe and ac. I could barely crank it by hand. I believe all their campers come with electric lift now. Yes, it is a bit slower.
SidecarFlip wrote:
Not on mine. I have upper adjustable limit switches on each corner that sets the up travel and the down travel as well.
Never had issue one. Very nice (and unobtrusive) system.
Geewizard wrote:
You mean it doesn't have a travel limiter? So the operator has to stop at the right height?
You mean it doesn't have a travel limiter? So the operator has to stop at the right height?
Not on mine. I have upper adjustable limit switches on each corner that sets the up travel and the down travel as well.
Never had issue one. Very nice (and unobtrusive) system.
You're real big on your "unobtrusive" system. Maybe you haven't seen an Outfitter lift system. The lift rods and torsion bars do not take up any room in the your words "crowded interior."
Bob, you can do a retro from crank to HappiJac electric system but like said by Joerg, better off if Outfitter did it if they still offer to do it. And they may not anymore I don't know. It's a big hassle for sure. I had to go that way after adding a rooftop storage along with canoe and ac. I could barely crank it by hand. I believe all their campers come with electric lift now. Yes, it is a bit slower.
That is correct I have not, nor are there any pictures on their website that show it.
However, I am familiar with the system that Hallmark used, Northstar used and Palomino used prior to switching to the RT system (I believe Hallmark switched, not completely sure).
All the systems were similar with an internal tubular frame raising the roof and they all intruded in the living space to a certain extent when raised. The RT system don't (other than 4 3x3 galvanized rectangular supports).
Guess I assumed wrongly, pardon my dust....
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/rolleyes.gif "rolleyes")
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cal
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.
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?
cewillis wrote:
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 wrote:
My Tundra is pretty fast, Whazoo! Got a ski mask?
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.
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.
was never a problem, but if I ever get another pop up camper it will have an auto system.
1999 Dodge 3500 CTD dually
Ham radio - WU4S
Geewizard wrote:
My Outfitter is now 14 years old. How long will that rubber roof last?
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 --
whazoo wrote:
I'll just turn my trapper hat around backwards.
Geewizard wrote:
My Tundra is pretty fast, Whazoo! Got a ski mask?
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.
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.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/awink.gif "awink")
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.
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.
cewillis wrote:
Not that long - in places - in my case. (tree limbs!)
Many think there are better compressor fridges now --
Geewizard wrote:
My Outfitter is now 14 years old. How long will that rubber roof last?
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.
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...
Geewizard wrote:
My Outfitter is now 14 years old. How long will that rubber roof last?
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.
magic43