Repairing/upgrading RV garage door

[newbury]

I've got an RV shed with about a 12x14 sectional garage door on tracks.
When I bought the place ~ 12 years ago it was manual. No helper springs or motors. For all these years I've just lifted it up and put a 9' piece of 1x6 to hold it up. I'd spray the rollers with garage door lube when it stuck and it worked for me. Probably only opened it 50 times a year at the most,
Well, due to the expanding universe it's gotten heavier. I'd like to put on helper springs or a motor if they were affordable. Less than $500 and DIY.
Any suggestions?

 

[EddieWalker]

The first garage door that I ever bought and installed back in the 90's came with a set of springs and pullies. A cable connected to the bottom of the door on either side, went up to a pully, then back to the end of the track with another pully and then the spring.

I forget how it was adjusted, but it was something along how much slack you had in the cable where it connected to the spring. The spring made it easy to lift the door. I had it adjusted so the door barely closed, which made it super easy to lift manually.

I haven't looked in a while, but Lowes has some attachments for garage doors in their stores. They might have the springs, or something similar.

 

[grsthegreat]

Pictures would help. A jackshaft opener is fairly cheap, but needs a spring assisted upper shaft.

 

[newbury]

Pictures would help. A jackshaft opener is fairly cheap, but needs a spring assisted upper shaft.

Please note the tractor muffler in the pic, so it's tractor related

 

[grsthegreat]

So when its fully down, there isnt a bar and spring assist?
Im not sure this is something that can just be added, ive never seen a roll up door without one

 

[fidowanttobe]

Howdy,
You're gonna need the springs, bar, brackets, pulleys, cables and whatnots that are in grsthegreat's picture.
Try to find the brand name of the door and talk to your local distributor. New stuff might not be cheap so maybe you can talk him into the used stuff they replace. I'd go with new springs though cuz they are door size specific sorta.
In the past I've helped friends install doors they got used after a major wind or hailstorm, since you don't need the panels, maybe your stuff'll be easier to find??
Would like to know the story why only half of the complete door was installed!

 

[Roadworthy]

The door should already have springs at the top - probably two. One could be broken. They are hazardous to work with as they're under tension and you need a couple bars to adjust them. Contact a garage door guy as any assist you add needs the springs to be in place and properly adjusted. Once that is correct you may need no additional stuff. You can add a chain hoist to ease manual opening (under $200) or you may opt for an electric opener (more expensive). Good Luck.

 

[kenmbz]

If you add springs, need on both sides, and highly recommend a cable through the spring for safety.
Need first to see how heavy the door is to get spring spec.
Door Manufacturer may have this online if you can find it. Scale works too, but look online how to do it. Don't guess.

Then look at how another garage is done to see what cables and connectors you need.

Looks like standard rail, so parts are pretty easy to find. Cable needs to attach to bottom of door.

Remember, working on springs in tension is extremely dangerous. a cable tied to both ends of the top of the door rail through the spring, will stop it from flying.

Second the hoist or electric opener, good insurance it will stay open if a spring does pop or break.

 

[workinonit]

Funny this came up. I just installed an 18' Amar door on my garage with a Liftmaster shaft drive opener. It was a job to do but man is that a nice setup. I have Liftmasters on my big shop roll up doors as well but I had them installed.

 

[grsthegreat]

I added 2 jackshaft liftmaster openers on my carriage barn roll up doors last winter. Got tired of manually opening the doors over the years. Man, its sweet to just push a button.