Instructions on how to set up a 1979 Lionel Tent Trailer

Hi Everyone
We just purchased a 1979 Lionel hard top tent trailer but there was no instruction manual. We're just wondering if anyone out there and provide us with diagrams/instructions on how to set up and lock in place.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi!

I just got a 79 Lionel as well - did you find a manual?

I'll let you know if I do.

Happy travels!

Wow...Those things are true treasures....As for instructions...Hummm...Not going to be easy to find.....I'll look around but please...If you find anything before me, please provide the information to all.

Thanks!

How do you set up a 1977 lionel tent trailer
1) Undo the latches that secure the top of the trailer to the body
2) use your handle extension and crank up the top- the crank is in front of tent trailer. One slot the bar fits into for the crank and there is another metal piece that is the lock and you have to turn the other way to get it to release so that you can turn the hand and wind up the top of the tent trailer Krank up the rv top to the full height,
3) now look for 4 metal bars - there are to hold the beds in place, they are positioned on the outside of the frame and look into a little ledge on the top of the box and then on the bottom of the trailer box. They should be evident where they are placed.
4) The beds are on tracks and you should be able to pull them straight out if you look under the mattress when you get inside you should see a pin to lock them in place from the inside
5) Now go inside the trailer and get the door, fit it into the lower panel of door which is obvious.( the lower door panel stays intact when you put the trailer up and down.
6) Now you need to secure the canvass- THe canvass should be fitted around the door- to so this there is a channel on the outside of the door, fit the canvass around the door first one it is inpolace you can zip up the canvass that is beside the door, if you zip up the zipper first it makes it hard to put hte canvass or vinyl piece into the channel around the door.
7) Canvass around bed. - you can straighen the canvass on the outside of the tent . This will make it a little easier to open the bed area. You need to secure it inside and you should have some metal tubings and frames to do this with. More than likely you will find it on the bed or under the mattress. This is quite obvious where the bars go to support the canvass. Two metal rods that secure on both the right and left side of the bed and are placed into another frame that is rectangular and supports the back window the side bars are tucked into the metal tubing and then have a spring pin that fits into the side posts of the tent roof. It will make sense when you are looking at it in person
SO now your tent is up and you will look under the bed overhang outside and unde the bed you should find a bungie cord that holds the canvass tight
9) you can now mount the upper cupboard if you have one that goes over the sink and there will be a rack to hang that is attached to the roof.
10) the sink and stove top are on a piano hinge and swing into place
11) The table should have a chanel for it to go into to
The thing that I was warned about is to make sure that when you wind it down keep stopping and make sure that the canvass is pushed in and not caught in anything and it will keep it nice.
Regularly spray roof raising cables, underneath the camper, with WD40 - especially before the winter layoff. This not only protects the cables against corrosion, but also lubricates them.