Will cable adjustment bolts spin?

[MrArcade]

Hi, we are new to Hi-Lo campers. We have a 2000 Hi-Lo with a bunk bed. The front half of the high low is not rising as high as the rear causing the bunk to be unlevel. I want to adjust the cables. In my mind I picture loosening the locking nut, but then when I go to tighten the adjustment nut the bolt will just spin and then spin the cable tighter. Does something keep this bolt from spinning? Do I have to hold it with a vise grips or something from the back side?

 

[JackandJanet]

Hi, MrArcade. Yes, my adjustment bolts turn too, when I try to adjust the cable length adjustment nut. And yes, my solution was to clamp a locking pliers (such as a Vise-Grip) onto the bolt inside of the trailer frame. As I recall, the pliers were long enough that they contacted something else under the trailer when I turned the nut, so that I did not have to hold them. Once you get the length of the cable right, you can tighten down the locking nut again to keep everything in place.

The adjustment is 1:1, i.e., if you need to raise the top 1/2" at the cable attachment point on the top, simply move the adjustment nut into the bolt against the frame by 1/2".

- Jack

 

[sam-HILO]

Mr. Arcade

Just wondering if you repair arcade games/pinball machines. Had a nephew that did some as an electronic technician. One time he found a bullet and hole in one. My best guess someone got frustrated at the game and put a hole in the machine. On the corner of my street is such a repair place.

 

[Lwwilltravel]

nobody mentioned that to djust the cables it is best to raise the top a little and put blocks of wood on the front and rear and lower down to take pressure off the cables so it is easier to adjust.

 

[JackandJanet]

nobody mentioned that to djust the cables it is best to raise the top a little and put blocks of wood on the front and rear and lower down to take pressure off the cables so it is easier to adjust.

Correct, but that's in the manual. However, we know not everyone reads manuals or has one, so, thanks for the input. Yes, lower the top onto some sort of prop - (I use 4-2x4s cut to equal length that I place between the top and the 4 outriggers). This should take all the tension out of the cables while you adjust them.

- Jack