Replacing a broken cable on my Popup Camper

This is how I replaced my broken cable on my popup camper. Subscribe to our channel for more videos.
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[@illagor]

Thanks so much for this video! I have the EXACTsame popup and after watching this video, I was able to repair my lift cable system as well. Not only did my cables break, but one of the pulley wheels was damaged and the crank shaft was bent out of shape. I have since removed all cabinetry and am replacing the vinyl floor as well as replacing some rotted wood flooring. The original quote I was given to replace the cables ONLY was $800.00!!!!! So for roughly $50.00 or so and a lot of my time, I have replaced ALL cabling, welded the crank shaft back to shape, replaced the rotted floor section and put down a new Vinyl floor. The popup is like new! Thanks again!

[@bobschmengle6259]

Chris Mohr thanks

[@ginawallace9945]

I was hoping you are in a position to share your work how much cable wire etc

[@cleej9]

Thanks a ton for posting this! My 2007 Jayco 806 busted a cable last week. I watched this video last night, picked 25 feet of cable and a couple clamps this morning, and knocked out the repair in a couple hours. Pretty straightforward other than the busted cable got lodged in one of the pulleys and it took about 20 minutes to get it out. Thanks again!

[@DanBlackRacing]

I like your idea of having some stilts in place being that it's older camper. After I fix my lift system I'm going to use some nice white PVC tubes put some slots in them and put them on the four corners when camping. Thank you for the great video!

[@bpwagner007]

Thanks so much for your video! I just finished helping a friend repair his viking camper that has the same mechanism. We replaced all 4 cables. Here are a couple of things that also helped us.... Cut 4 2X4's the exact size to have the camper fully popped up. I really liked your suggestion to prop up the inside (bed to ceiling in our case) and then let out a little tension whenever the camper is popped up. These 2X4's did the trick and were very useful. Use the 2X4's to support the roof while doing the final tensioning. You will have to remove panels and steps to expose the cables. A good battery powered drill helps here. The camper we repaired used square bits. On the top of the spring cable (snake) is a bolt that fits on it. Make sure it does not come off. Weld new eye bolts together as in the video. Our old bolts were spreading apart under tension of the wench. Make sure the wench is fully bolted to the floor. We had to add a couple bolts because the wench was coming loose. Bolt through to the underside to the camper. Do NOT use vinyl coated steel cable. The vinyl coating comes off and messes up the pulleys. It took 3 people 3 days (15 total hours) to do this repair because we are not very smart (we had to replace the wires twice) so do not think you can knock it out in an afternoon - or maybe you can! We had one corner that would not pop up and it turned out that the rectangular plug on the end of the cable got jammed inside the square spring cable tube. That took a while to fix. I guess that is it. I will add to this list if I think of anything else. Thank you again for your video. It was amazingly helpful!

[@brianbellin6061]

Where do you get the cables? Or do you just go to a hardware store and request a certain length?

[@bpwagner007]

We bought the cables at Home Depot. Do not buy the vinyl covered ones. If I remember correctly we bought 50 feet of cable and then cut it as needed. Try to make a good estimate of the cable length you need.

[@petersgarage6125]

Just a little background information. The eye bolts where the cable runs through are engineered to spread apart if over tightened. This is so that the cable has a chance of not snapping. By welding it together you stop that from happening. I think welding it together shouldn't hurt.

[@markvogel140]

Great job young man. I bought a pop up with a broken cable after watching your video. I will be going at this project , in the next few weeks. Thanks again Mark

[@allenkoe]

,

[@steveraymond2298]

Hey, Thanks for this very detailed perspective on the lift system. I am just about to buy my first PUP, and was walking into it naively regarding the lift... I've been doing the reading, but your video here is excellent and informative.

[@elretardo71]

Thanks for the info. You’ve done a great job explaining how this cable system actually works.

[@gregoday8449]

Thanks for the video! It helped me allot on replacing a broken cable on my 94 Viking. I did the same thing and used the old cable to pull the new cable threw all the pulleys. It worked great!! As for cable length you prop the roof up on all 4 corners and make the cable close to the same length and adjust it with the eye bolts at the crank.

[@coyotecody3784]

Definetly helpful crazy camper thank you!! I just got a call back from the camper place I had my pop up at, and they just quoted me 750 dollars and this guy said I was lucky cause it was only a broken bracket! Well when he told me only 750$ I felt like he just kicked me in the nuts! LUCKY MY ASS! I only paid 300 for the thing! Anyhow im gonna give it a go this weekend, I will post my updates thanks again guy!!!

[@mcdoug18]

You have saved the day! I have watched your video several times and you have helped me immensely. Many, many thanks

[@Barbw521]

Thank you so much for your tutorial. Our lift system needs to be replaced too. You made this look pretty easy. We shall see :-)

[@Ididitucantoo]

This is an awesome video clearly explaining what needs to be done to fix the lifting system.

[@freskanova17]

Great video as I have replaced lift cables on my 1993 Jayco Cardinal SD...I have replaced more than I care for (lift cables), which the video states is simple but time consuming to say the least. I have to offer another piece of advice: Check all your pulleys as well! I found some of my pulleys frozen to the point all my new lift cables were doing were being sheared by frozen pulleys that no longer rolled freely.

[@joelbosveld5215]

Thanks mate, I’m about to do the same repair on a current model, it looks like they’re still making them the same way. Very helpful video. Cheers 👍🏼

[@michaelthelen5297]

Great video. Was really useful to see all the details of how your popup hardware worked (as your lift system is similar to mine.) I hope I never need to replace it, but if I do I have a good place to start!

[@bishnulimbu8091]

Good video, I replaced all 4 cables, worked, thank you , now I have 1995 Viking 195 st with l&W lift system. All poles go up and down, but front 1 do not go down about 8" I tried to adjusted. I could not figure out, rear ones go fully up and down, front ones go fully up but not all the way down. Any suggestion will be appreciated. Bb

[@lukeb6072]

Good stuff, I have the same lift system with same problems. The forward right post cable snapped, and it was partially due to the cable rubbing on that pulley in the back. Great video. I'm about to start my repairs. FYI, I took it to an rv mechanic and they estimated 300-400 including the pole replacement!

[@colorwheelrebel-lillybless6951]

Thinking of buying one with broken lift. This has made me more confident. Everything else looks in great shape 1996 with no rust.

[@deeb5224]

It's going to cost me 1350$ to rewire. For reference. That's why I'm here. 😂😅

[@deerbossa]

How long is the cable, and if you dont know how long it is , is there a way to find out

[@gordoneckel2872]

yes good video had trouble understanding the theory of it all specially the square block pull through thingo on end of cable I now have it I'm an oldie from Aussie--I have a Jacko Hawk 88 model thanks

[@BradBo1140]

I just bought a a 1992 Jayco pop up and this is a great video.

[@balnalbo8621]

I have Viking 195 st I think, every thing looks similar to this video, I need to replace all wires, any suggestion or videos>

[@YakMotley]

Thanks for the information !

[@kellyclibern9042]

Hi love the video. I am looking at buying a 95 viking pop up. That only attempts to raise at two corners. I understand the routing of the cables. What I don't fully understand is how does pulling a cable raise a corner of the camper. I noticed this camper had inside two pieces of spring for the corners that were 3 or 4 foot long laying in the floor. I would simply like to have a better understanding of the lifts before I decide to purchase.

[@stephaniecurlee6936]

awesome Job. Awesome teaching as well.

[@jefflong8084]

great video. I have an 2008 jayco. All 4 of the cables are kind of twisted together. Should they be this way? If not what causes that? Would that cause uneven lifting height?

[@daacton7937]

Thank you. We just bought a used 1993 jayco 1207. At a campsite now and the lift spring fell out of the lift bar. It is sitting inside the compartment with the water tank. Do you have any ideas in how I can feed it back through to the lift bar?

[@kellypromotionalproducts4484]

I too have a 1995 Viking Pop-Up. We had the cable system replaced but we notice the top sways a bit more. Any suggesting on how to tighten it?

[@CarlottaART]

Thank you for the information... great video.

[@Omardottcom]

Thank you so much for this. It was sooooooo helpful.

[@fredvanpelt6393]

Thanks for posting the video. I might try to do the repairs myself. First problem I have however is lifting the top up. It has an air conditioner and is very heavy. Any helpful ideas on lifting the top so I can begin the work?

[@jefflancaster2442]

That is the same problem I'm trying to figure out. Did you ever figure out how to get the roof up?

[@johnwilson4727]

Fantastic. I had a problem 1000 miles away from home. Now not only did the cable break off at the eye by the crank. The little plastic piece that fits on the big cable fell off from inside the telescopic beams. Are these connected in some way to the big cable or do they just sit on top of it and push up?

[@greentree683]

We would really appreciate your help. We just purchased our very first pop up camper a Viking 1995 SH 270. We brought it home, tried popping it up and the cable broke. Whoever had it before us had it fixed but they didn't do it correctly and replaced some parts with some other ones that weren't correct. Now we are in need of a corner bracket with a pulley that has double cable capacity that is for a rear crank Viking SH 270. Any help on this would be much appreciated! Where can you find on camper parts? We are at a loss and we can't find any ships in the are who are willing to help fix it. My husband is handy but he can't seem to figure this one quite out, especially since we don't have that double pully.

[@sherosenjuno]

Great video tutorial! Thank you! What size cable guage did you use?

[@Threedog1963]

Can you use a lube for the cable as you pull it through? Like electricians use to pull wire through conduit?

[@alexsolange.miracles]

hello I Have a jaico camper Im redoing the roof but the roof have bend after add the plywood, I used the 1/8 playwood, is 13x7 the roof is big.The roof sinks I put several wooden bars to give it more support but it continues sinking after I put a thin plywood sinks I need an advice please!!!

[@sherrylogan9829]

If your top don't come down to close completely does thst mean your cables are to loose or to tight.? My 92 viking wont close all the way after having cables worked on.

[@fiestaxgurls]

I watched your video and thought it was great. I see you made modifications to your pop up. You should show that too.

[@coyotecody3784]

By the way I forgot to ask, on the outside of the camper when you serperated the poles the little white plastic clip/bracket that goes on the top of the pole in your video its right at 3:30sec. Any idea where to get that clip that goes in the lift pole?

[@survivalgod9892]

Tysm for the tutorial. Very helpful

[@itspoffy]

Please help!!!! I want to do the cable myself somI can pull the new with the old but can I use the aluminum crimps found at lowes and Home Depot or is there a better stronger piece somewhere? Also what tool?

[@tyreswatson1549]

@@rightdirectiondrv ;; Should I replace with same size cables, or a little bigger cables ???

[@danskinner467]

I would have put some casing around each cable to keep them from rubbing each other before they were connected to the plate.

[@yolbet1999]

I have a 1995 Viking that I just bought I know the cables are bad I just need to know how long are the cables that I need to buy!! PLEASE HELP

[@madisonhitt]

Where did you get the support poles shown in the video? This would help me a lot while working on my cable system and some extra security while using it camping.

[@danielmegge6516]

how did you get the cable to not slip out when you crimped it?

[@johnt1832]

Great video!! Thanks. I just sold my pop up camper and the buyer (single mom) took her 2 young boys to the camp site immediately. She just sent me pictures of the pole pulled out of its socket with the hose hanging out. I think she somehow broke the cable. I'm going to be patching this up on the fly so how long of a cable to I need to buy? Also did you need a crimping tool or could I use pliers?

[@1976jimmyboy]

Hey CrazyCamperCrew- Do you adjust the tension by simply turning the Eye bolt? Or is there more steps to adjsting the tension on any given cable?

[@90foxfreak]

I have the exact same camper, and am about to replace the cables.........again! This will be my 3rd time replacing! This time, it's getting 1/4" cables! 1/8" is not sufficient!

[@jenleduc5494]

Bought my first pop, never looked at the cables. Do you recommend to lubricate the cables? If so, is the roadmaster silicon spray good to use?

[@ravenfeather7087]

I personally think lubricating the cables and other moving parts is a good idea. And I think silicone would be a good choice.

[@martinabenfield]

Thank you, a great help.

[@Steven-zc1yz]

The plat needs to turn when you crank it up and down so that cable does not twist and the I bolts are not to be welded closed they are designed to open it's a safety thing so cables come off and don't brake and use crimp clamps not bolt clamps

[@markhartmann9000]

How tall are the support poles you used?

[@scottbishop5841]

hi I am going to be attempting to replace all the wires in my pop up tomorrow I have a Viking 1996 looks like the same setup as your pop up. you placed the four bars on the inside all I have to support the roof is 2x4s do you know how long you made your supports?

[@sherosenjuno]

+Scott Bishop We have a viking 1996 also and just broke a lift cable on our camper over the weekend. Just wondering how your replacement went? We will be attempting to fix ours soon and could use some advice as well. Hope yours went well!

[@agwils2011]

Scott Bishop I

[@luiscollazo3460]

thanks for the video i have problem with my jayco pop up cable

[@jeffmeyer1346]

Great video! However, I got a question for you. At 3:42, when you have slid the telescopic outside bar down to show the little plastic part that fits into the top pole....any idea on what to do if that little plastic piece is misaligned down inside the bigger first tube and wont come up inside the middle tube?

[@jeffmeyer1346]

Thanks buddy! And keep up the great vids!

[@ATCRyderX]

If a Pop Up won't "pop up" is it a good assumption this is the issue?

[@stinky420ify]

Great video! I’m wondering my tape didn’t stay attached and I lost the connection from the old wire and new what do you think I should do now? I can’t seem to just feed the new wire thru very well. Much appreciated!!

[@rightdirectiondrv]

Luckily I didn't have that problem but I can't think of another way except to manually run the cable. This would require much more work and disassembling more of the camper to access the pulleys. Good luck.

[@bzybzb5864]

My cable snapped at the bottom. Roof is close I can't get up because cable snapped so what's my option?

[@davethomas3553]

Question. Never owned a pop-up camper. Can a 3 or 4 guys lift the top up, of a camper with broken cables, then brace it up? I'm only wanting to camper to make a deer blind out of it. Replace the soft sides with plywood & install windows.

[@rightdirectiondrv]

Yes. There have been times when I had to lift myself. Easier with help.

[@penilamb5784]

Need help, our 1993 skamper pop up cable broke. anyone know how to start?

[@harleygirl5632]

Hi Mark I watched your video because i bpught a 1974 Starcraft pop up camper and wgen i bought it and the guy raise it up and open it everything worked fine and for most part was in good shape but when I got it home and raised it up the back left corner wouldn't raise up with the other 3 sides and i noticed the bar on that outside that raises it the part that isnt attached to the top of the camper was going down towards the ground instead of goung up with the other bar thats attached the the top of the camper. I was wondering if you had a suggestion as to why this is happening? Someone said that the cable probably came loose from the second bar but when i watched your video and you took the outside metal bars apart and said theres a spring in it now im wondering if its that spring thats not working. i dont know if I've made any sense but do you have any suggestions as to why the 2nd metal bar on the outside of camper on the corner is going down to the ground and isnt rising up with the metal bar thats attached to the top of the camper that raises it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@harleygirl5632]

CrazyCamperCrew ok thank you for your help. That's what i was afraid of after watching your video that the cable broke on mine too. Im pretty sure thats it. Now I know where to go from here, thank you for replying and your help. Have a wonderful day 😁

[@darrellee4953]

‘Pool fence poles” how many inches tall and where did you buy them?

[@johnfreeny2383]

What size cable did you use 1/4"?

[@Taylormaloney1]

I am Having a problem with the actual wench any ideas?

[@janetkawalski1899]

Thank you we did use 2 by 4s to lift us roof. But we needed to remove the cabinet to access the cable housing than it was easy to remove the flag.

[@michaelcurnutt2594]

My man you just saved me $300.00. Big props! !!!!

[@MrJoey1570]

great video!

[@mikevella7446]

What size wire did you use?

[@jordabowman1690]

Did you cut the cable to the length you needed or did you order the cable?

[@sigor2011]

compare to the old one. You can also cut in place.

[@trooper2221]

so the roof could potentially fall on your head , if that one main cable that pulls the other 4 snaps?

[@trooper2221]

CrazyCamperCrew I don't remember exactly why, but my model the Coleman fleet wood niagra a 2008 model I believe. They claim it doesn't need the metal pieces for some reason.

[@donaldspikes9545]

Great video.

[@chollybob8538]

My camper is a 2005 Viking epic 1906, the lift system failed at home after a camping trip and the crank won't completely lift the top. The top only goes up about 6 inches and stops lifting...been trying to find a diagram of the lift mechanism with no success any clues?

[@chollybob8538]

Thanks, But a friend came by and pulled the whole lift assembly for me. 4hr. later , found that a "shear pin" had broken inside the assembly. Went to an automotive shop picked up two (2) and the lift was working like new.

[@90foxfreak]

Viking 175sd???

[@toniparker7681]

Do you by chance know how to fix the cable located under the popup? we have a 1998 dutchman that we just bought, brought it home started cranking the roof up and the cable broke. It is located under the popup.

[@freskanova17]

I think that the Dutchman lift system and the Jayco lift systems may be a little different in design...there are many Dutchman lift system forums out there that can probably answer your question better!

[@debbiekeller8018]

My husband is getting ready to replace the lift system in our pop-up. He wants to know why not go to a thicker cable? Or is that even feasible?

[@jasonholdinski6149]

I tried that, the thicker cables will not fit in the floor brackets that hold the plunger rod. Replace the actual nylon pulleys with metal and add more wheels around the corners

[@ravenfeather7087]

I did pretty much this same thing on my old Star Craft several years ago. It's a cheap flimsy system and I'm surprised they work as well as they do. I'm doing a rebuild of the little trailer and an searching for a more reliable system that is easier to repair and maintain. If this breaks when on a trip you're kind of screwed.

[@carmellacurry]

Hi guys! Great video thanks. Gives a very good detailed description of how to fix this problem. My question is, does anyone know anything about Conway Cardinal Clubmans? I have one and one of my cables is broken and I am wondering where the whole mechanism/pulley thingy actually lies within the trailer. I have had the back off a few years ago when I had to make a new reinforcement plate for the winder bar, and don't remember seeing any pulleys or wires there. I would prefer not to have to pull every panel off looking for it. Thanks :)

[@rianwelch1664]

Carmel Connors

[@markcrouch3391]

How long was the safety poles you have on the inside and where did you buy them.

[@rightdirectiondrv]

It's was awhile ago and I don't have the exact length. I'm guessing the length will vary depending on your camper. The poles I used were from a safety fence that goes around a pool. They just happen to be the perfect size.

[@markcrouch3391]

So do you recommend I get inside and lift the backside so I can put a safety pole in or at least try and get a measurement. I don't know how to go about doing it. The front works and the back doesn't lift.

[@mattcarpenter8689]

Thanks for the info

[@germamhernandez4752]

Thx for sharing.

[@20faith10]

Hello my name is Donald I have a 1972 parklane 101 pop up I need to replace all the lift cables please help thanks

[@davidredfearn664]

I have the Coleman with the cable system underneath the camper. Wish me luck.

[@SuburbanJerseyDad]

Why is always so hot when these things happen? Great video. Subscribed.

[@philliphicks1316]

for the first video of replacement of cables in that back corner put a double pulley to help with your problem of your cable riding on your metal area

[@dannelson8556]

The reason your cables are twisting up is because you are either missing the thrust bearing that goes behind the metal plate with the 5 holes or the thrust bearing is frozen. The thrust bearing allows the main cable to twist but keeps the plate aligned with the 4 cables that attach to it. You really should download the service manual for the lift system before trying to repair it the system. At least that way you can see and exploded diagram which shows all the parts that way you know if somthing is missing or not working properly. You should also order a new corner tube guide to replace the bent one they are only 7 dollars for the guides without bearings and 45 for the guides with bearings. Just about any trailer supply will stock them.

[@janetkawalski1899]

Flag is wrapped around crank cable unable to lower top any ideas. Help please

[@jeremysethtrumble]

Flag? If it's literally a flag or fabric wrapped around the crank cable inside the camper I would prop all 4 corners up with wood or something. Release the tension off the cables and cut the flag off.

[@ellstackeradventures]

Thanks

[@royalblood8008]

Awww the video will not load I have the same camper so we looking to see how it was done as one just broke

[@user-py5xz5qs7m]

So you bought the cable from home depot as well?

[@rightdirectiondrv]

Yes

[@rachhall8918]

Thankyou!

[@freddytt6630]

thx.i have to do same thing

[@ynotbbq]

how much blo do you do???

[@joshdahl6224]

tony tenace gtfo out of here...how much did your dad beat you?

[@robertjakeway746]

hello. thank you. I just brought a jayko popup for 100,$ I too need to replace hooks on cable.

[@rosesimssims1913]

I need to know how to put a cable own a 1999 viking

[@stevenpena3038]

My brother just gave me his jayko popup today said the line broke did u fix yours yet

[@rollingstopp]

Crank ' ' ' click clic click ~Snap Pop uh oh not good! time to fix and sell the little pig.....lol

[@melindabarcum4007]

Please show the interior.

[@leisuresuitlarry1777]

would have been cool, and normal, to see it work. LOL

[@leighatkinson5726]

Do not weld the ibolts thay are ment to open up so the cables don't brake thay just pop off the idolts and then you fitting new ibolts and readjust and tension them up again in this way you will not bend or brake some thing else like pulleys and lifting arms 🇦🇺😉