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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Pottsy on April 02, 2020, 02:02:41 PM

Title: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: Pottsy on April 02, 2020, 02:02:41 PM

Hi Folks, has anyone in SA had any experience with retrofitting actuators to a soft floor camper trailer.
We have a Challenge Meridien Off road Walk thru with a 12ft tent which is currently manageable but there will come a time that I will need to do it on my own. Basically I need it to do like the Tru Blu unit but just for the three bows at the bend end and possibly to lift the camper lid for access.
We are currently in discussion with the NDIS re vehicle mods etc which will allow us to continue to travel as Lorraines Parkinson’s progresses.
We do not wish to part with the trailer as it is very roomy when fully set up, which makes it easy for Lorraine to move around, it does not have a bucket floor, so no lips to step over in door ways and we have fitted additional poles as grab rails where needed.
Appreciate we are not going anywhere for a while so it’s a great time to do the research.
I’d be looking for a reputable firm to do the work.
Cheers
Pottsy

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: Bird on April 02, 2020, 02:11:22 PM

xcvator on here did it to his trailer - see if you can find his thread.. hes not in SA but will be able ot answer questinos

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: edz on April 02, 2020, 03:11:49 PM

Pottsy JCLURES Did an actuator lift for his soft floor, well worth a look   Page # 17 on is best  http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=1493.375 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=1493.375)  ..   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNVoydCaRhA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNVoydCaRhA)          .....     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgadrk_-eFg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgadrk_-eFg)   

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: Pottsy on April 02, 2020, 03:26:34 PM

Sent the manufacturer of our trailer an email to see if they have fitted actuators before, I know they have done some upgrades for other disabled campers.
What jclures has done would be a big help.
Cheers

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: xcvator on April 02, 2020, 04:46:21 PM

Just 1 major thing to be aware of if you fit actuators, make sure there is an easy way to disconnect them if they fail to either open or close.
That was 1 of the major reasons "true blue campers " closed, they were sued by a client over this problem.
If you can't disconnect them you're stuffed, can't open or close the camper

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: jclures on April 02, 2020, 08:32:36 PM

I know when I made my design I ended up with using a pin and r clip one end of the actuator for this reason.
On my old camper It was not hard to do, but I only ever tested it to check it worked.

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: tryagain on April 02, 2020, 10:41:09 PM

Are they currently strut assisted?

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: Pottsy on April 03, 2020, 07:43:25 AM

Quote from: tryagain on April 02, 2020, 10:41:09 PM

Are they currently strut assisted?

Yes they are, manageable at the moment, thinking of the future, trailer canvas 9 x 17 plus tropical roof, so a lot of canvas.

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: xcvator on April 03, 2020, 11:20:10 AM

If you have a compressor you can use air rams too. If they fail you just open a valve and it's as if they were never there

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: sparksy on April 04, 2020, 11:06:56 AM

Instead of actual air rams you could use lengths of layflat hose similar to how the RV-Airlift system works. Seen the hose used to lift the liftup section of a soft camper on a trailer so should easily unfold the canvas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVeWsECl_rU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVeWsECl_rU)

Title: Re: Help Req, fitting actuators to soft floor camper
Post by: edz on April 04, 2020, 01:53:34 PM

Easy enough to DIY      http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=43250.msg811199#msg811199 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=43250.msg811199#msg811199)