RV Repair: 92Rockwood Pop-UP, pulley system, pop ups

Question
QUESTION: Just returned from my first camping trip with my pop-up. I had previuosly raised and lowered the camper 2 times before the trip. While breaking it down the roof came down uneven. The front lowered more quickly in the front than the back. I could not get the back completely lowered and didn't want to over torque the crank. I towed the trailer home with the rear about  2 feet from closing. Do you have any ideas what the problem could be and any tips on how to repair?

ANSWER: Hi Brian, I'm not sure on a Rockwood because I don't work on them enough. On all the Pop-Ups I have worked on there is pulley set up under the coach. I don't know what to tell you to try till I have a clear picture of what you have there. Check all the easy things first. Look at the posts, ck to see if the fabric has gotten suck into them. Try raising it and bring it back down. Let me Know what you find. Be Carful. The pulleys are under a lot of pressure. Good Luck.

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QUESTION: I tried raising and bringing it down again and had no luck. The post look to be good. I saw nothing that would be blocking their movement. Could this possibly be a result of not being lubricated?

ANSWER: I have not seen any pulley system that requires that it to be lubed. But, I cant see what it would hurt. I would look at the crank assembly. Try to gain access to it so you can see if any thing might look like its not right. Did you experience any strong winds on you last trip while it was up? If so...Ck the post for bends. I am a little worried to tell you to disassemble the pulley housing for a few reasons. One the stress on the cables is dangerous. The other reason is that the stress can bend the frame if the housing is part of the support. (Yes I have bent a frame or two. Shut up! I don't want to hear it!) :-) If you are a super mechanic, then go for it. Good Luck!!!

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QUESTION: Do you have a clue on what getting something like this repaired professionally could cost me? I only paid $600 for it and I wasn't expecting it to be perfect. I just don't want to sink to much in to it.

Answer
Look up RV repair shops. Not dealers. Repair shops will have lower labor rates. 60$ an hour would be about as low as you would find. The dealership I work at is 130$ an hour. Shop around. Its impossible to know with out seeing it. I would guess 3 to 6 hrs plus parts. It may be as easy as resting a cable for an hour. I don't know. Good Luck.