Aliner Aframe Roof Spring Replacement and Bungee Installation
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Replacing the worn out springs on my Aliner Classic Aframe trailer. Folding suddenly got much nicer ! What a Difference !
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My partner and I just replaced the springs and bungees this afternoon on our Aliner Expedition after watching your video a couple of times and ordering the parts from Columbia Northwest. THANK YOU!!! This made a HUGE difference in our ability to raise and lower the roof!
Good, I hope it lasts. I'll be doing a "Gas Lift Assist" install in the near future as my springs did not last, but I have added a lot of extra weight to my roof. Leaving the roof up as often as possible will help the springs stay "Springy".
@@GoingNoWhereFast , I'm in the process of ordering the gas springs for the lower roof from McMaster-Carr! Good post on that installation in the AlinerOwnersClub.org site. My goal is to be able to set the Expedition up and take it down by myself. Thanks again!
My friend Dave Micheals wrote that, I will be seeing him on the 14th and will get the low down on the install, so I can do the video. I am using 75 lb lifters for my install. I may need to do a serious wall reinforcement for that much stress on the walls. I have some tricks in some of my early videos on opening and closing the roofs. I believe anyone should be able to without much trouble. Good luck, enjoy the Aliner, Try to get to a Rally !!
Hi, last comment was 3 years ago...well, today I needed to fix the bungee cord and could not find any instructions with all the Aliner documentation! A quick search and your video popped up and fit the bill 100% Thank you SO MUCH!
Thanks so much for the comment !!
I am about to replace springs on 21 year old Aliner and needed to see this. Very helpful. Thank you.
My Advice, don't replace them! Add Air struts, its much easy and easy to adjust for the lift strength you want.
Thanks for the informative video. Love to watch things being repair with good ol' ingenuity. Glad to see your situation doesn't have you down. Keep up the great work.
My situation just makes me more independent. I like being self reliant ! Thanks for the comment !
Wonderful video. You are remarkably handy! I could never replace the springs on my Aliner myself but I learned so much about how the camper is constructed, and knowledge is good. You have a great attitude about your life situation. Wishing you all the best!
Thanks ! I will look for as much luck as I can get !
Thanks Rick. I hope all goes well with your sale and all that comes with it. Always wishing you well wherever your journey takes you and the Boys . . . I'll be sticking around.
Thank you ! It is a much appreciated feeling ! Just let me know if anything seems to be going wrong with the videos !
Wishing you the best in your new adventure. Wife and I will stay with you for what we know will be entertaining and and interesting!
Thank you! My commitment is to do this for at least until 2020!! So we will continue to share what we can !
Thank you Rick, for directing me to this video! Your elbow / C-clamp trick is EXACTLY what I needed to know about! The idea never occurred to me. I have to fix that lower bungee mount on the door side. For some reason the screws pulled out of the lower roof. Did you ever have to re-do this bungee fix?
Yes. I just used bigger screws. Or you can use one of those wall screw anchors. They hold pretty good.
Wishing you the best as you move forward and as always, a great video! Thanks to you and Slim Potatohead I picked up my new Ranger 10 today.
Well done Rick.... Springs might be something I'll have to do soon. I will be watching your new direction, I am in the same situation here.
Thanks, I've done this deal 5 times before. This time I don't have much responsibility to anyone. I think that is a major help. Good luck to you too !! Thanks for the comment.
Oh wow! When you had the panel off, that was cool! I don't think I would ever have the guts to do that! Hahah wish I was handy!
Its a lot easier than it looks. You just have to be ready to do something stupid and enjoy it !! LOL
Thanks Rick, your video made replacing the springs and bungees much easier than it might have been. Now I’m going to replace the weatherstripping foam tape with adhesive on one side. Can you tell me where to source it? Regular stuff from a box store doesn’t have strong enough adhesive to be any use
I bought a bazillion feet years ago from McMaster-Carr, But lately I think Grainger supply has better prices and much faster delivery. McMaster is top quality, and takes returns with a smile. Your money, check them out.
Nicely detailed video Rick. Good to know how to take care of an Aliner. Bob
Thanks for the comment !
Since Slim abandoned his Aliner, you're the go to guy for Aliner repairs and upgrades. Knowing when to leave well enough alone is a good lesson to know. This project is coming up for me soon. When can I schedule you for the job? 😁😉 Does your helper work for free beer?
Never for free beer, very expensive beer!! And I should take this video down. It is so much easier and better to add pnuematic springs to the edge of the roof than to replace the inner springs.
Loved the video and will be watching and supporting in your new adventure
Thanks ! And thanks for watching !
Opinion? After watching this it made me wonder, is it best to leave it stored open? Closed down complete? Or is leaving it loose-closed ( meaning not locked down) best?…in order to save those springs from wearing out?
If you can leave it up that’s best. But if your putting it in a garage, just unlatched is awesome. But outside in the weather, that’s a big debate because so many factors make it better or worse. One of the best reasons for leaving it up is so you can go inside and check on it
@@GoingNoWhereFast Thank you! We do keep it in the garage. Your point is noted. I’ve always kept it unlatched…. But did store some things on top. Won’t be doing that anymore.
Super … at 22:30 you show the vertical corner piece. One of mine is broken just above the bend and pushed out. Previously caulked (before I bought it) but still not set right. This video is excellent, and while I have the bungees off ( started that earlier) I’ll open ‘er up like you have done so here…like I said this video so helpful!
Good to hear, but don't miss this one then, thats what happened to mine! czcams.com/video/PMUVlNZsHsM/video.html
You are an excellent instructor.
Thanks !! But I have now reccommended that Added pnuematic assist cyclinders is easier and actually results in better performance. So unless your bent on maintaining an accurate replication, doing the springs isn't going to produce great results.
I don't need new springs...but, I love learning as much as i can about the Aliner. Purchased mine about two months ago. You have been a great resource. @@GoingNoWhereFast
What length is the #10 Screws for the bungee cord bottom? And the adhesive is 3m Hybrid Sealant? This is going to be for my Rockwood "A" frame camper trailer. Thank you so much for the details on how to repair the bungee cord
The screws are only an inch long, and the sealant is any old 100% silicone sealant. And I use sheet metal screws as they are stronger and have better grip. You can't use too much silicone. The more the better as its only real job is to make it water tight.
Trying to find new springs for my Aliner. Do you have a link, having trouble finding them online. Also, thanks for all the great videos.
If your smart you won't change them, but you can get them only from Aliner. Its much better to just add the Air Struts to the outside per my video on doing that. You can tune it to whatever assist you want and it won't damage your Aliner, like putting new springs in an old trailer will.
Why did you have to remove the aluminium extrusions over the long ends of the springs? Couldn't you lift the roof till there was no spring tension, then lift the old springs out? I realise you would need to move the roof out a bit afterwards to allow fitting the new springs.
You would need to open the roof beyond straight up, and that would stress the hinge beyond its range. Also it risks having the roof fall over in that direction. No big deal to remove them. Just you need to realize the rivet size issues... see the comment under this one.
I am restoring a 2001 Aliner .
Could you tell me please .should the front and back of van be in line with the sides , when putting new springs in .
Many thanks .
It should all be nice a square.
@@GoingNoWhereFast
Many thanks
Where did you find the springs I have a 2011 flagstaff a frame and can not lift the roof without 2 people
I bought the Aliner Roof springs from Aliner, but I now believe it would have been better to just add the outside Air Shocks with approx. 80lbs of lift. You just have to do a little re-enforcement with a bracket so they don't damage the sidewalls.
I need to replace the Springs myself I also have a Flagstaff Hardbody
I need new springs on my 2014 ranger 15 (same size as expedition) but has 2 soft dormers. Someone told me I should forget new springs and go with 4 struts because my roofs with dormers to heavy. He said that's why they don't work anymore. Im so confused. I'd like to do 4 new springs and 4 struts but its expensive. I'd love to no your thoughts. I really enjoyed your video. Thank you!
I put new springs on mine and While it helped for a while, I think it might have done damage to the trailer as the springs seemed to have too much lift and deformed the roof. It is MUCH easier and safer to install struts. And you can change them out in a minute if you want more or less lift. I would do the struts, let your spring stay where they are.
@@GoingNoWhereFast thank you. Will do. I have 2014 ranger 15 expedition size with 2 soft dormers. I plan on installing 36 inch 80 pound gas struts. I was told too much poundage isn't good either.
@@laj69 True! Also if you are putting them on just one end or both ends make a difference too. You need much less ummph if you do both sides. And Remember, it is better to have them a little long, than alittle short, as you won't be able to get the roofs up far enough to match, or get the back down once you do.. I almost experienced that, but had just a 1/4 inch to play with and was able to extend the roofs up where they can kiss nicely ! Have fun ! They are great trailers to play with !
Let me begin by saying I am not an engineer, but, it seems to me that having the springs turned like that might actually increase the torsion strength, also increasing the lifting power!
That's an interesting theory and maybe why many people believe that a crooked spring is what causes the sidewall to explode over time. On the other hand, The springs are tested and certified for a specific lifting weight and if they were stronger in a different configuration, I'm sure they would specify that in the specifications. So I think your out on a limb sawing too close to the tree...LOL... But a very far off center spring force could place stress on areas not designed for it, but the Aliner corners are reinforced for the spring loads. So usually any problems with spring break though is related to water intrusion and wood rot. My Next Aliner will be built on a 3D printer !! :-)
I need to find where I can get a set of those roof assist Springs for my hard side pop up.
Go to the AlinerOwnersClub.org site and look for the DYI section.
Great video .
Thank you for this video
My pleasure
I may have missed it, what was the cost of the springs and where did you get them? Thx!
The only place you can get them is Aliner, and I highly recommend you don’t change them. Add air struts instead. Much easier and much less chance of damage.
@@GoingNoWhereFast Great, thanks for the advice and an awesome channel!!!!
@@_Astrovert I'm not sure about awesome yet, but we are working on it!
Will struts work to raise the back roof to take the place of the springs-mine rotted out?
Unfortunately not. The Struts do very little to help lift until the roof is about 1/3 up, and the springs do most of the work in the initial foot or two of lifting. So you really need both. Changing out the rotten wood isn't hard, it just takes a while.
@@GoingNoWhereFast Super response thanks yet sad news. I have replaced the wood on both corners and reinforced all back end. This 97 Chalet had been repaired with large corner brackets back each side on outside-ugly but worked. One spring had sprung and not much holding the other. I removed 2/3 rotten floor replaced with son's help. I am 70 yo woman with lots of do-it- yourself renos on several houses but l have to concede the 2 year rebuild is over my head (literally and figuratively). Where can l get new springs since l cut off the bottom bar on each of them?
@@carolynhosking947 Aliner is the only place I know of.
@@GoingNoWhereFast Thank you-love your videos-helpful plus relaxing chair travels.
I looked at a used Classic and noticed the roof frame edge trim is deflected inward at each spring bushing. One of the four is severely bent, affecting the ability to slide over the lower roof when closing the unit. Wood is exposed and the seal is broken in that area of the roof. And inside the ceiling covering is rippled. Can this be fixed or do I run away from this "bargain" trailer?
I noticed after I changed my springs that the roof aluminum siding seemed to take a warp when it was down, like there was too much "Spring" on the top. But I'm not worried about it. I looked a t a few that I decided were not taken good care of. I think it helps if you get an original owner who paid full price for it. They value it much higher
Hi Rick... watching the video as a not-an-owner-yet has me perplexed. Your rig appears to be less than "old." Yet it needed the new springs? I am concerned about purchasing a new or a used one if the company has not seen fit to re-design this so that they don't have to be replaced - or at the very least - more easily replaced. Let me know your thoughts? Thanks
Its ten years old ?!?!? And it is very heavily used. There are no Springs yet designed or built to be used to their extremes and not be worn out. Also I doubled the weight on the roof with the solar panel. Truely I am no lover of the Aliner. It is a simple unit with a lot of amenities. But Trailers are rolling earthquakes going down the road at 60-70mph and I have dragged mine through areas where only 4x4 low range will get us in or out. If you want reliability and long lasting, you need to buy a diesel class A or Super C... They will last a few years before costing a few more $$$$. But in my opinion, the Aliner is a pretty durable lightweight gem. But really.. thanks for the comment... every one makes the channel better and the Aliner more real.
Torsion springs will always deform under bending stress. Fortunately this defect in A-frame trailers has been compensated for with the new gas spring concept invented by an engineer in Australia. I can swap out a gas spring on mine in 5 seconds. That sure beats the ordeal this fellow is going through.
Do you have any photos?
What do the bungees do? Not being an A-Liner owner (yet), I just didn't get that part. Thanks.
They help bring up the lower roof, and they provide a small amount of protection from the wind forcing the roof apart and breaking the trailer apart. So they are pretty important to be in good condition and the proper length !
Hi, any thoughts on how the bottom part of the springs are secured? I heard you mention caulk and other stuff. Are they sitting in a similar spring box like what's on the top that is riveted to something? I've seen some pics of the springs blowing out through the rear wall and I can't figure out at all how to tell what the condition of that area is on my Aliner.
NO, They are just in the corner wooden frame of the trailer. When we toured the factory I was amazed that they were not "Captured" by any kind of structure. The corner is reinforced with an angle iron corner piece, but if the spring turns before or after they have injected the corner with the caulk, it places a pretty good force on the end wall. Any amount of water will weaken the corner and spring do sometime pop out the front of the wall. The new owners are aware, and may change the construction.
Thanks for the reply! What you're saying gives me a much better understanding of the pictures I've seen online.
To replace springs all you need to do is tip the roofs back more, then replace springs. ALL RIVETS ON ALINERS USES ALUMINUM PEEL RIVETS that can be found at fastenal,
I don't think you can get them at fastenal, I did look for them, they are about 5 times as expensive for very little improvement over what I am doing
@@GoingNoWhereFast I called aliner earlier to order parts & told me the rivets get from fastenal. I seen them online, yes they are a little more expensive... 3/16" aluminum peel rivets box of 25 for $22. most secondary holes on aliners are bigger than primary holes, therefore you need peel rivets. Great video, i have to detach roofs off of hinges to repair aluminum on my 2018 scout i bought cheap.
@@davej3708 I used washers to fit the oversized holes. Especially the rivets for the spring "box" are really not very structural. The spring just using the box as a sliding surface.
@@GoingNoWhereFast aluminum rivets are always more expensive than steel rivets that rust..www.fastenal.com/products/details/11238202
@@GoingNoWhereFast That works. Some aliner repairs you can't access to put washers, but your repair worked great, good job.
thanks for your video where I can buy that's spring
You buy them from Columbia Northwest, which is the name of the Aliner Company, but if you go to Aliner.com their contact infomation is right there at the top. The spring run around $100 US if want all 4. It has been recommended though that instead of changing the springs, you add Lifting cylinders to the outside. Just a thought
Looks good, but I wish he did not have his thumb covering the rivet size. The diameter of 3/16 is told, but not the length.
Oh, I believe the length was 3/4". Each Layer of aluminum is rough;y 1/8 inch, and there are 2 layers, and then the washer. So That would make it 3/8th. Plus the extra length to get into the space past it and expand the rivet. So Pretty sure they were 3/4.
Hi Rick, Hope you are enjoying Florida! I know this is an old video but I'm hoping that you can give me a bit of advice. I need to do some work on the spring boxes and want to relieve all pressure from my springs without removing roof panel. I am working in my garage and -- although it fits with the roof up, I only have about 6" more lift room before I am hitting my ceilling. How high up do you think I need to go to relieve all pressure from springs? I see you went prependicular, but could you have gotten away with less? Thanks for any input. ~ Ron in NH
If you drill out the rivets for the retaining blocks and remove then and then slide a piece of PVC pipe over the end, you can rotate the spring away from the roof and then pry it out. The more you open, the easier it will be, but you can rotate that spring pretty easy in it's hole in the front wall. Some people have placed a pipe inside the wound spring and twisted it around. I suggest the PVC around the end to keep it from scratching the roof as it moves across it.
@@GoingNoWhereFast It worked perfectly. Thank you! I'll be camping again in no time at all. Enjoy the warm Florida weather. Headed there next month.
Somehow the idea of replacing these made no sense to me because these torsion springs will deform with age due to the constant force on them. So here is a factory defect with an A-frame trailer. But the good news is that there is a simple fix to the problem using add-on external gas springs. These are relatively cheap and can be replaced every 5 to 10 years in seconds versus doing all the work shown in this video. I put together an article on how this is now being done for older A-frame trailers internationally. Even many of the new A-frame trailers are being sold with these. Unfortunately I didn't have this article or access to any article at the time I installed mine. If you want to find an alternative to this temporary solution check out the Yahoo group called: "A-FrameTeam" to see my article and that of the concept founder in Australia. Hope this helps. One person doing as you show in the video had the new springs pop out of the two roof panels and had to spend thousands to have them re-made. That person is now happily using the new gas spring concept.
I searched and can't find this group. can someone provide a link to the group or the article?
I just revised my article that tells how to get around replacing these springs. It can be found at: groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/A-FrameTeam/files This new method allows you to forget ever replacing the torsion springs. The gas springs can be replaced in a minute or two.
Where can i order the springs
Aliner is the only place
One of my rear springs popped through the back of my Aliner Classic in the corner this year... looks like there's some wood rot in the frame in that same corner. Any ideas who could fix it over the winter?
John Phiel is the all time expert. Its really a water problem that needs to be fixed. There is an Aliner Repair group on Facebook. He runs it, but there are recommendations on places to go depending where you are.
I live on Cape Cod, so I'm looking for someone closer than John Phiel for repair. Thought you might have known someone. Thanks anyway!
I'm sorry I don't. You might email Dave Michaels Airpilot1@gmail.com He is in New England and knows many more resources than I do.
I've met Dave... but didn't think of him for this. Great idea! Thanks!
One fellow in Australia put a long tube over the spring to reduce the force applied to the trailer just as is done by putting a pipe over a pipe wrench to get added torque. Then he replaced the fabric skin over the area. Of course you have to replace the wet-rotted wood too and try to seal up the exterior to keep the water out.
do u know the length of bungee cords for 12 ft box?. i have the ranger
No, but if you call or email Aliner with your VIN number they can tell you what they should be. Since they are Bungy cords, I don't think it matters too much.
@@GoingNoWhereFast thanks . i bought 25 ft of 3/8 cord and not sure how tight cord should be when the roof is up and locked in before walls go up.
@@larryjohnson5306 It shouldn’t have any slack, but shouldn’t be stretched Either. But that would be the perfect size. If you now know how to change them, and how easy it is. It can be a little tight. But obviously you wanna have at least 5 inches of stretch to separate the roofs when you bring them down. On a new trailer you can separate the roofs about 10 inches.
@@GoingNoWhereFast thank u . will be attempting it this weekend. just got burned bad from previous owner. pump was froze and water damage under water tank. dishearten ,when they know.
@@larryjohnson5306 Sorry to hear. Lots of times they really have no clue, or they would never have sold it.
Suggestion. Place the camera in a position/place so everyone can see what it is you're doing. So we don't have to look a your back :) no offense
Good Comment, But really, there isn't anything special about what we are doing. We Pull out the old, stick in the New. simple.
Where can the springs be purchased?
From Aliner, though I recommend you don't do the springs, add Gas struts to the outside instead, Much easier to do and you can easily change and repair them when necessary
@@GoingNoWhereFast thanks for the quick response. I found the A-liner club site and where to purchase the springs. I think the gas struts idea it better that way I can seal the places where the springs go into the frame. I just purchased a real fixer upper in anticipation of renting out my house and taking off in a couple of years. So I'm gathering ideas while I take the rotten floor up :0) Your channel is the bomb sir!!
Don't remove the springs, they have their uses. But don't change them either.
Hey Did you get your springs from A Liner?
I'm beginning to think you stutter...lol Since you put the same note in several videos... ITs OK, I get credit for every comment!
@@GoingNoWhereFast Yah I'm not good at following the same post. I figure you'll get it sooner or later. Thanks for taking the time to help.
I'm trying to watch my granddaughter volley ball game at same time as doing this. I think its called multi-tasking. lol Fixing an insurance total where both lids blew off but the body was in good shape.
@@gldomme No Problem, anytime
@@gldomme You have an Aliner where the Roof where blown apart by Wind? Then why replace the springs, they should be good still. The struts might need replacing?
Which rivet gun do you recommend?
The bigger the better, and make sure you can get rivets for it in different sizes, that it has different tips. They are really all the same, but smaller ones are harder to work.
Going NoWhereFast ...which one do you have?
Mine is an Arrow RHT300 amzn.to/2WmuxKf $17 on Amazon, You can buy bigger and more expensive, but they all do the same thing.
Did the springs lose their tension?
They no longer did anything. The difference with the new and the old is phenomenal !
Where did you get the replacement springs ? Are they model specific ? ( I have a 2004 LXE model Expedittion , although Columbia Northwest says I don't have an Expedition)
If you talk to kevin at CNW, he will send you the proper springs. An LXE is usually considered what is today a classic, but they are a little different. He does know what parts go with each model and year. So trust him. It will work in the end ! You can also tell him what year, and what length the box is and the roof panels.
Rick,thanks for the super feedback regards the springs for my LXE Aliner.This unit has very few miles on,and has been sitting idle for about 5 years. I have been snooping on line about tires as I felt that these may be in a deteriorated state because of all the inactivity.( looks like my suspicions were correct )
On another note- Your videos are awesome! Your camera work mimics a professional. I am impressed ! Do you use a drone for all the aerial shots ? I am sorry to see that your four -legged boys appear to have Hip Displasia.(spelling?) They seem to get around okay though --- Gotta go for now.Thanks again !!
Not sure whats wrong with Dakota, he has been living in slow motion since he was 10 wks old. Caesar on the other hand had a type of stroke in February. I did a few videos about it back then. He just doesn't communicate with his hind end very well as a result. But he is in no pain, nor does he have any limitations except going down hills/stairs/jumping, his rear end often beats him to the bottom. But, I've been around dogs long enough to know, the warrantee runs out around 8-10,years !! Luckily I have in the past gotten around 13-15 years out of them.
And tires are dated on the side in code. (DOT ####). First 2 numbers are year, last 2 are week manufactured. I have run tires over 10 years old, but I watch them carefully. Some say 4 years and they should be replaced. I believe it depends on how fast you drive and how much sun beats on them... keep it under 60mph and you may save your life and only costs you 15 minutes.
One concern of this otherwise useful video. No One would buy any new A frame camper with the springs turned cockeyed like this. They need to straight (so you can slide One a rod through each spring joint. If the factory wanted them twisted like this they would've done so. Reason why their not inserted properly is moisture entered the bottom cavity, rotted or soften ed the wood. And NO twisted like this DOESN'T increase torque. I can't offer the solution or fix to this in this response for liability reasons. Call a dealer or manufacturor. Just don't reinstall your springs this way. If they don't go in straight, get help if you can't figure it out yourself, and do the entire job right. Or eventually you have problems sooner or later. In this case it'll be sooner and you'll never hear about. I'm very surprised a good craftsman like this would actually publish a job like this for others to mess up their very costly a frame camper. There's a way to prevent moisture and condensation from entering the area where the bottom spring arm slids into. BE careful. On my ALINER you don't need to use rivits, a good rivit gun (costly) etc. Stainless steel nuts and bolts worked fine. Faster and cheaper. No Drilling. I've read some people using shocks like ones that lift up your rear hatch don't work as advertised. Some Aliners and other A FRAME campers have installed them to aid lifting with mixed reviews. You don't want TOO MUCH torque on your springs any way; as it'll effect closing the tops. . Would you drive your car or truck if the mechanic installed your springs cockeyed then told you it was fine that way.
Thanks for such a nice long comment and explanation. But they have been that way since I bought the trailer in 2012. I replaced them in 2014. And they have been fine. I also have seen many at rallies with similar twist. When I visited the factory they showed me how that happens and had no. Concern... sorry you have been effected by some obsessive compulsive need to have everything in straight lines. . Really it’s okay 👍