Ideas for extending the crank-arm on a Maggiolina RTT.

[outdoornate65]

I picked-up a sweet used Maggiolina tent yesterday (thanks Frenchie!).

Upon mounting the tent to my 4-Runner, we discovered my Fiamma F35 awning is in the way of the crank-arm used to raise/lower the tent.

Moving the awning is not an option because I want to keep it on the passenger side of the vehicle and I've attached mounts for the awning pole feet to the side of my truck.

I've messaged Andrew at AutohomeUS to purchase a spare handle I can modify.

Looking to see if others have run into this problem and how they "fixed" it.

Thanks,

Nate

 

[Corey]

Glad you got your tent, looking forward to seeing pics of it.
Sorry, no ideas on how to extend it, but I am sure there is a way.

 

[Lemsteraak]

Nate,

It is a good idea to have a spare crank handle. Unless you have some sort of reminder system, it is easy to forget to remove the handle. Then when you are ready to camp for the night .....

What you need it a crank extension. I used to make them out of aluminum and the concept is just like a socket wrench extension. I would get a solid alloy round bar small enough diameter that it fits in the hole. On the crank side we would have our machinist turn it down and cut a slot to fit in the crank handle snuggly. On the tent side, bore a hole to fit over the lifting "acme" screw and then drill and drift in a steel pin to lock into the screw's slot.

Make a bunch of them different lengths and sell them to AutoHome. We used to use them for anyone that had their Maggiolina on a rack, or any wide vehicle like a Hummer

 

[outdoornate65]

Glad you got your tent, looking forward to seeing pics of it.
Sorry, no ideas on how to extend it, but I am sure there is a way.

Thanks Corey, will post up pics soon.

 

[outdoornate65]

Nate,

It is a good idea to have a spare crank handle. Unless you have some sort of reminder system, it is easy to forget to remove the handle. Then when you are ready to camp for the night .....

What you need it a crank extension. I used to make them out of aluminum and the concept is just like a socket wrench extension. I would get a solid alloy round bar small enough diameter that it fits in the hole. On the crank side we would have our machinist turn it down and cut a slot to fit in the crank handle snuggly. On the tent side, bore a hole to fit over the lifting "acme" screw and then drill and drift in a steel pin to lock into the screw's slot.

Make a bunch of them different lengths and sell them to AutoHome. We used to use them for anyone that had their Maggiolina on a rack, or any wide vehicle like a Hummer

Thanks for the feedback. Your idea is kinda what I was thinking. My Dad has a good friend with some mad metal-working skills so I'm sending them the extra crank to see what they can fab for me.
In the meantime, I will just remove my awning until I have the extended crank-arm.

 

[Lemsteraak]

Had a thought, the Maggiolina Extreme in the past used a handle with a longer shaft. A lot of Extremes were sold to wider expedition trucks and they would center the tent so they needed a crank handle with a longer reach. I don't remember the specs, check with AutoHome, they should have them and if they don't carry it check with Italy, shouldn't be too expensive to get a couple. Always have two.

 

[outdoornate65]

Had a thought, the Maggiolina Extreme in the past used a handle with a longer shaft. A lot of Extremes were sold to wider expedition trucks and they would center the tent so they needed a crank handle with a longer reach. I don't remember the specs, check with AutoHome, they should have them and if they don't carry it check with Italy, shouldn't be too expensive to get a couple. Always have two.

I spoke with Andrew yesterday when ordering another crank, asked about the "extended crank arm" mentioned on the AH website under spare parts. Was informed they are no longer avail.

The working end of the crank is 3/4" OD. So I figure if I can find some 3/4" ID tubing it should not be a problem to fashion a fix.

Just wish I had taken welding in High School instead of wood shop.

 

[Lemsteraak]

You could make it from 3/4 inch dowel and it will work just as well. Wood is good.

 

[outdoornate65]

You could make it from 3/4 inch dowel and it will work just as well. Wood is good.

With six coats of Spar varnish?

 

[TrekkerOutdoors]

I just received my Maggiolina Grand Tour small yesterday and I was somewhat dismayed that the crank won’t clear my Rhino Rack Pioneer platform rack on my XVenture XV2 trailer. The only other option would be to index the tent all the way to the right of my roof rack so the crank would clear. After reading this thread last night, I found a local welder/fabricator and he cut off the handle and welded a 14mm deep well socket on the end. Now I can put a 3/8” drive speed handle on the socket and crank away! Or, I can even connect a cordless screwdriver to raise the tent even faster. Why Maggiolina chose to put a slotted head and not some thing hex is beyond me.