Who in the Dallas area does trailer repairs?
My ramp rear door 'lifting assist mechanism' needs work.
May need just new spring(s) or possibly an entire new unit
Tried tightening the springs but am getting binding & still hard to lift
Or….Maybe I'm just getting old & weak :(
NAH !
Bill Klindworth
68 Still kicking... just a bit slower #737
Did mine with a buddy last week on my toy hauler? Put the ramp door down, then get some good strong bars about 15" long. Turn the spring about 8 full rotations and set the set screws. Try the door. Still too heavy? Do 5 more rotations on the spring..try to lift door again. Still too heavy? Turn it a few mor turns. Do this till it feels good. I can now close my door with one hand. .......remember, start with door in the open position.
Door open?
Maybe that's why it didn't work for me.
I tightened the springs with the door closed
Bill Klindworth
68 Still kicking... just a bit slower #737
Hahahaa!!! I did the same thing dont feel bad. I was sooo frustrated!! Yes door open! You will be amazed with the results I promise.
***BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL*** if you lose a finger, an eye..or you just plain get clobbered in the noggin, you won't be the first one.
1) Do you have the two bars needed to tighten the spring/springs? If not, call me.
2) WITH THE DOOR CLOSED and latched, carefully loosen both nuts on both spring colars on the inboard (middle) of the shaft.
3) WIth your hands, turn the shaft counter clockwise until the cables are taught. Have a buddy place a pair of vice grips on the shaft with handles resting on the trailer door to prevent the shaft from turning.
4) Working one side at a time, pull the inboard colar as far towards the center as possible. Look for the original marks for guideance.
5) With the two bars I mention earlier, rotate the colars counter clockwise several turns. It doesn't need to be too tight. When the door opens, the weight loads the spring!!!
THIS IS THE DANGEROUS PART. IF YOU LET The BAR GO OR IT SLIPS, THE SPRING WILL THROW IT WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE. Once wound where you want it, have your buddy tighten the locking screws tight, but not over tight.
6) Do the other side.
7) Enjoy your newly adjusted door.
8) Call me if you need help.
Allen Dye
Hey Allen, you did this with the door closed? I tried mine closed because that's what I read everywhere buy never got good results. I did it open and was amazed at the end results.
Yes! This is very dangerous! Please be careful like Allen says!!!!
Hey Griff!
I'm sorry, I'm just seeing this...
You have to use a pair of vice grips on the shaft with the door closed. When the collars that hold the spring(s) are loose, roll the shaft until it has tension on the wires. Lock the vice grips on the shaft to keep it from unwinding. Then you can tension the spring collar a couple of turns. Remember though, you have to the pull the collar towards the center so the coils have somewhere to go. Sometimes pulling it hard to the center while putting even one turn or a little less is enough.
Remember, the weight of the door loads the spring when it drops.
Hope that helps!
Allen Dye
Posting Permissions
