Camper Screeches when cranking down

[Two Bears]

When cranking the camper up it makes no noise at all, just a clicking sound.....But when cranking it down it screeches.

We have lubricated every spot possible and still the screeching.
Any Suggestions??

 

[1380ken]

Do you have a Goshen lift system? Have you greased the springs?

 

[eoleson1]

Any idea where the screech is coming from? The winch? One of the supports? Under the pup?

 

[Two Bears]

It is not a Goshen, and the sound really sounds like it is definitely coming from under the pup, to me sounds more like the winch. Does that make sense? Ed has greased that area very well, it helped when it goes up, but seems like resistance at the winch when coming down????

 

[eoleson1]

there are some pullies under the floor that guide the cable to the corners. One of them could be worn out. I would jack the trailer up. Put it on jackstands so it is safely supported. After it's supported, slide underneath while someone is cranking it down. That should help you pinpoint it.

 

[Two Bears]

Awesome, we will give that a try. Thank you very much.

 

[tfischer]

Are you sure it's not Goshen? Their page claims 1993 Starcraft is:

http://www.goshenstamping.com/lift.php

 

[dcbain]

"After it's supported, slide underneath while someone is cranking it down."

Fine as far as it goes but a snapping winch cable can kill.

 

[Aircamperace]

Do you have a Goshen lift system? Have you greased the springs?

How do you grease Goshen springs? Underneath or in the lift posts?

 

[eoleson1]

Fine as far as it goes but a snapping winch cable can kill.

Considering the size of the cable, the tension it's under, and the configuration under the trailer, it's highly unlikely. You'd have to have the perfect storm.

do you have a better suggestion, or are you just here to kibitz?

 

[dcbain]

eoleson1 : I thought a kibitz was an Israeli farm . . .

Don't jump to mistaken conclusions. I'm not just smartarsing; I'm trying to ensure that people know what they're getting into. A little knowledge can be dangerous.

If you want a constructive suggestion, use a mirror and a torch to stay as far away as possible from things which can bite.

 

[Two Bears]

Are you sure it's not Goshen? Their page claims 1993 Starcraft is:

http://www.goshenstamping.com/lift.php

Guess I may have to eat my words. When we bought it we were told it was not, but this looks like what we have so, guess that feller was wrong. Thanks for that tip and information. That will help us a lot.

 

[Two Bears]

eoleson1 : I thought a kibitz was an Israeli farm . . .

Don't jump to mistaken conclusions. I'm not just smartarsing; I'm trying to ensure that people know what they're getting into. A little knowledge can be dangerous.

If you want a constructive suggestion, use a mirror and a torch to stay as far away as possible from things which can bite.

I appreciate your suggestion and concern for safety. Ed is very careful, but you can never be too careful. I am forwarding all this information to him. He says he thinks it is strange that a pulley would not make noise going up but does this screeching sound coming down. The handle itself seems to be vibrating when it comes down.

 

[1380ken]

When cranking the camper up it makes no noise at all, just a clicking sound.....But when cranking it down it screeches.

We have lubricated every spot possible and still the screeching.
Any Suggestions??

I would have to say that if you don't know what type of lift system that you have, then you have not lubricated every possible spot.

 

[Two Bears]

I would have to say that if you don't know what type of lift system that you have, then you have not lubricated every possible spot.

Ouch! That was harsh.

I printed out all the information from the link you sent, we are going to be check this out this week end. This is our first PUP and maybe we are not the most experienced persons when it comes to this, but we are learning.

When I mentioned this to Ed, he said he sent in the information (serial #'s etc) to Goshen to inquire about it and they said it was not their system. Guess the person we talked to could be wrong.

 

[tfischer]

Ouch! That was harsh.

I printed out all the information from the link you sent, we are going to be check this out this week end. This is our first PUP and maybe we are not the most experienced persons when it comes to this, but we are learning.

When I mentioned this to Ed, he said he sent in the information (serial #'s etc) to Goshen to inquire about it and they said it was not their system. Guess the person we talked to could be wrong.

Well first step would be to figure out that you have, lol.

Goshen is easy to identify: Are there "pipes" (that look a lot like electrical conduit) going from a central tube to each corner? If so it's Goshen. If you have cables going to each corner, it's definitely not Goshen.

I would think if you gave Goshen the info and they said it's not theirs, that would be correct. But check for the pipes (spring tubes)...

Goshen works quite differently than the other systems (uses plumbing snake like springs to push the roof up, rather than 4 separate cables to lift it up). It's pretty simple and reliable.

 

[Two Bears]

Exactly We both work full time, so this week end we are going to check it out and find out just what we do have.

Thank you everyone for all your input!!

 

[Two Bears]

Update!! I just got a return call from StarCraft. It is a StarCraft Lift System. They are sending me the schematics and information. They were very nice and said they would be glad to help walk us thru anything we needed.

I've learned a lot and ya'll were awesome. Thank you so much for your help, and input....