How to Make a Crank for a Pop Up Trailer

Explore America's Campgrounds

Pop up campers are small, self-contained trailers that compress and expand for the camping cabin. A hard shell roof and semi-wall structure house the fabric corners that, when raised, become the sleeping quarters for the camper. Pop up campers use either a hand crank or motor to raise and lower the roof. If you have a hand crank pop up trailer and need to make a crank, it is an easy process, as the spindle accepts sockets.

Items you will need

  • Measuring tape

  • Ratchet with lock out and perpendicular extension handle

  • Socket kit

Open the pop up camper's hand crank panel, usually found on the outside of the camper to the right of the front door. Locate the spindle and use the tape measure to get the width of the end of the spindle. For example, your spindle may measure 1 inch across or 1 1/2 inches across. Spindles are typically square in shape.

Place the perpendicular extension onto the handle of the ratchet so it forms a 90 degree angled "V." Turn the ratchet's rotating mechanism to off.

Select a socket of the same diameter as the spindle end you measured. Put the socket onto the ratchet socket fixture and place the socket onto the spindle.

Turn the handle clockwise to lower the roof or counterclockwise to raise the roof.

Gone Outdoors