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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: maggs on October 12, 2013, 08:47:55 AM

Title: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 12, 2013, 08:47:55 AM
Hi all,
I recently purchased a used 1996 AS Rover CT and have a minor issue that hopefully another owner may be able to help with.

When closing the camper it seems it is jamming or something is restricting movement as it will only go down to within about 6 inches on the front of the lid. I vaguely remember the previous owner mentioning something about having the main hoops in the correct spot to close and make sure the tent door is left open to allow air to escape. The only way to get the lid closed is to stand on the lid then do up the rear clamps then the front.

I have simply allowed the main hoops to go down as far as they will go but, maybe this is not the correct way. It's not easy to see what is going on when trying to close the lid but nothing seems wrong.

Any ideas appreciated.

Steve

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Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Mace on October 12, 2013, 08:56:08 AM
I would try having the hoops set at various lengths instead of all the way down, with our ct it packs better if they aren't on top of one another.

A call to the previous owner in order?
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Rumpig on October 12, 2013, 09:01:49 AM
do you leave pillows on the bed when packing up? i know with our KK we have to move them to the rear of the camper when packing up, as the hoops end up at the front and the pillows would hold them to high in the air.
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 12, 2013, 09:08:25 AM
There is nothing in the camper except the mattress and it's only 4 inches thick and has 4.5 inches clearance to the roof. It must be the hoops stacking on each other that is the cause.

Off to do some R&D.

steve

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Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: gibbo301 on October 12, 2013, 09:14:26 AM
Make sure you pull the bed to the back about 6 ins this allows the hoops to go around the bed
and don't pack to much on the bed your pillows should stuff down the sides of the bed in the sorage compartments and wind the the clamps all the way out then clip the rear one up and then the front then unclip the rear and wind it in a bit and continue this untill it pulls down tight hope that helps  :cheers:
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: scoot on October 12, 2013, 01:41:51 PM
Please call 07 3881 1903 next week and I can talk you through a couple of things.
Scott
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Bill on October 12, 2013, 02:39:31 PM
We had the same problem until we learned to pull the bed down apps 6".
No more problem.
Bill
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 12, 2013, 02:42:01 PM
Please call 07 3881 1903 next week and I can talk you through a couple of things.
Scott

Will do Scott, thanks.
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: fuji on October 12, 2013, 07:27:18 PM
I usually pull everything off the mattress, pull it back 6 inches or 150mm. Try to flatten the canvas on both sides a bit more. I sometimes have the same problem because the canvas bunches up. Cheers
Wayme
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Muckinhell on October 12, 2013, 08:59:23 PM
do you also try to close up with the awning on? it may pay to use one of the poles extended and flip the awning over the roof first then fold close as well as pull the matteress to the rear about 6 inches or so.
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: fuji on October 13, 2013, 06:46:45 AM
Yes too true, much harder with the awning on, especially the large one.  ;D
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 13, 2013, 06:54:31 AM
I have the awning over the top when closing. I'm thinking the mattress being pulled back will make a difference. I'll try it out later today.

steve
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: JCOJ on October 13, 2013, 07:39:08 AM
We can get ours closed with all the bedding on inc the quilt, plus the main awning left on which has been flipped over the top, plus both the boys beds that are made up and in their special bags and placed on top of our bed, and have no issues closing it. Our pillows do go in the car.

As mentioned, the main things are pulling the mattress back, then once you are on the second loop of the magic strap fold the top rack over, then at the same time both of us pull down on each side at the front to get all the remaining air out, then do up the rear latch, then the middle latch, then go back to the rear latch and do it up tighter, then the middle one again and do that up tighter, then the front one (which then shouldn't need to be adjusted).

Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: letsgo on October 13, 2013, 09:07:50 AM
You have been given great advice. AS are pretty easy to close. Best bet is to go to the source and give Scott a ring :) you have got a great camper that will take you to some awesome places :)
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 13, 2013, 04:38:00 PM
Pulled the mattress back about 6 inches and it was much easier to close. Still a bit tight but I didn't need to stand on the lid. With a bit of fine tuning on the hoop heights I think it will be fine.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Steve
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Kit_e_kat9 on October 13, 2013, 07:53:54 PM
Hey maggs,

With the windows zipped up on each side only and not across the top, the mattress pulled back (ours is the standard + an extra 50mm as well because I have a bad back), no pillows in sight but all the bedding insitu (more or less depending on the season) and with the doors folded to the rear ...  and the awning on ...

What I do ... is use a pole to ensure the canvas gets pulled tight between the 'hoops' when closing.  So when the canvas starts to 'come over', I use the pole to ensure the canvas is pulled down between the 'hoops' before the next 'hoop' 'comes over' ... if that makes any sense at all.   

Making sure that any canvas that is still out of place, is tucked in neatly by lifting each 'hoop' in turn and poking it in physically.  We also leave the rear door open to assist with any air pockets as such as you are going to open it anyway to insert the poles and carpet (that's if you have this option of course). 

Also, don't be afraid to screw the side hooks a bit longer out to make things easier for yourself.  They shouldn't be hard to put on ... if that makes sense ... because you can tighten or loosen them as desired (eg: when you have massive bedding for winter on the bed).

But definitely give Scoot a call ... The AS Team are a very helpful bunch IMHO!!

Kit_e
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Wuzgonna on October 13, 2013, 09:16:03 PM
Exactly, more or less what they all already said.

Apart from trying all that above, if you are still having issues you are welcome to come around if you are in Sydney. (Or further)! I am happy to give you a hand to sort it. We just spent the best part of 3 months in ours, opening and closing got easier every time!

Cheers Dave


Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 13, 2013, 09:23:49 PM
Hey maggs,

With the windows zipped up on each side only and not across the top, the mattress pulled back (ours is the standard + an extra 50mm as well because I have a bad back), no pillows in sight but all the bedding insitu (more or less depending on the season) and with the doors folded to the rear ...  and the awning on ...

What I do ... is use a pole to ensure the canvas gets pulled tight between the 'hoops' when closing.  So when the canvas starts to 'come over', I use the pole to ensure the canvas is pulled down between the 'hoops' before the next 'hoop' 'comes over' ... if that makes any sense at all.   

Making sure that any canvas that is still out of place, is tucked in neatly by lifting each 'hoop' in turn and poking it in physically.  We also leave the rear door open to assist with any air pockets as such as you are going to open it anyway to insert the poles and carpet (that's if you have this option of course). 

Also, don't be afraid to screw the side hooks a bit longer out to make things easier for yourself.  They shouldn't be hard to put on ... if that makes sense ... because you can tighten or loosen them as desired (eg: when you have massive bedding for winter on the bed).

But definitely give Scoot a call ... The AS Team are a very helpful bunch IMHO!!

Kit_e

Thanks Kit_e for the tips. I will call Scott for sure as I need some other info that I hope he can help out with.

Steve
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 13, 2013, 09:27:38 PM
Exactly, more or less what they all already said.

Apart from trying all that above, if you are still having issues you are welcome to come around if you are in Sydney. (Or further)! I am happy to give you a hand to sort it. We just spent the best part of 3 months in ours, opening and closing got easier every time!

Cheers Dave

Thanks for the offer Dave. Unfortunately I'm about 1000 k's north of being just around the corner from you.  ;D

steve
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Wuzgonna on October 13, 2013, 09:45:48 PM
1000klm north of me.... That would put you close to Scoot!

Good luck with it, I'm sure you will master the technique in no time at all.


Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 13, 2013, 09:48:00 PM
1000klm north of me.... That would put you close to Scoot!

Good luck with it, I'm sure you will master the technique in no time at all.

About 180 K's north of Brissy, Maryborough. Close to Hervey Bay.
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Kit_e_kat9 on October 14, 2013, 07:06:02 PM
About 180 K's north of Brissy, Maryborough. Close to Hervey Bay.

Make it a day trip!   ;D

Kit_e
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: maggs on October 17, 2013, 06:23:09 PM
It's all sorted now. Pulling the mattress back did the trick. I spoke with Scott and he was very helpful. It was also good to find out that even though my ct is 17 years old, most parts are still available should I need them.

Steve
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Symon on October 17, 2013, 06:50:03 PM
I spoke with Scott and he was very helpful.


Never had business dealings with Scott, but can say he's pretty good to go camping with.  Good bloke!

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Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: jk on October 17, 2013, 10:18:54 PM
Second that..................Top bloke and they don't build a bad camper as well  :cheers:
Title: Re: Aussie Swag ct closing issue
Post by: Kit_e_kat9 on October 17, 2013, 11:51:26 PM
I spoke with Scott and he was very helpful.

 :cup:

Kit_e

P.S.  Which reminds me ... need to call you Scoot ... expect to hear from me soon.   ;D