Winegard Antenna "Plastic" elevating crank

[A.J.Romeo]

Question? and I know that there are many of us that experienced this problem one or several times in the past; The small plastic hand crank that elevates and stores the Winegard antenna cracking and ending up losely in your hand or on the floor.
I have searched and searched, trying to locate a metal replacement with no luck..Can anyone relate to the problem and provide info on where a metal replacement could be located??
Thanks
Tony

[jimcol]

I haven't experienced your issue but had the handle off several years ago.I may be totaly wrong on this as I often am. Seems like it took an allen wrench to remove mine. If yours is the same I'd look in the window repair section of a Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, or whatever hardware store you have available. Many of the crank out windows have a similar crank. Just find one that fits the shaft. OR you could order one from here; http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/2451808.pdf
Jim

[1retired06]

In all our years of RVing, that is one problem we have never had. Handle has come loose, but never cracked or broken.

[lunalonestar]

Ours cracked on our 06 Montana this past spring. Could not find a metal one. Ended up getting yet another plastic one at Camping World.

[mhs4771]

You could always go the Junk Yard way, and just clamp a set of Vise Grips on the shaft

[K0LCB]

I haven't seen a metal handle in years, plastic ones are availed at most RV part centers, did you check wit Ozz?

[A.J.Romeo]

Thank you for all of your input folks, looks like there are no Winegard metal replacement handles available, already checked with them. Yes, there are many dealers that will provide "Plastic" replacement handles, just trying to improve the weakspot of the Winegard system by installing a metal replacement.The vise-grip works, but kind-of an ugly site. Will attempt to locate a metal window crank at Lowes, Home Depot ie,as sugested, modify it if required to fit the HEX shaft and go for it.
Thanks again for you input, will report back with my findings if any.
Tony

[A.J.Romeo]

Metal Replacement handle found;
Stopped in to the Home Depot Store on EAST Broadway, Tucson, Arizona..Located a cast aluminum window handle, a universal fold-away, one size fits all (can be used on HEX/Square and round shafts)..works like a champ..no more plastic to mess with.
No modifications required, just push it on and set the lock screw..
Price:$5.25: Made by PRIME-LINE@www.prime-line-products.com ; part number for white is H-3962, I believe that colors they come in are Bronze, Aluminum, Coppertone and White.
Antenna now cranks up and down with ease and no plastic handle to split or crack.

Again, we thank you fine MOC folks for your suggestions, especially Jim & Linda Collins for stearing us to the "BIG Orange BOX" store.
Tony

[8.1al]

It's good to know there is a metal replacement, thanks for letting us know about it

[Pete Hanson]

I found that if I lube the antenna gears (there is an oil port on the roof mount) a couple of times a year it takes the strain off the crank handle and therefore the handle doesn't loosen up.

[K0LCB]

Thanks for the info. I looked for a metal one several years ago, and never found one that would work

[A.J.Romeo]

My "forgetter" is still working pretty good..Sorry, but I forgot to mention that a flat washer is also required..about a 3/8" hole to fit the shaft diamiter and about a 1" OD..to hold the original coil spring up into place..

[mhs4771]

AJ, probably too late, but was just looking around the CW in Bartow, FL and lo and behold, they had a 2 metal replacement handles one cream the other white and I think it was labeled from Winegard. Might be worth a phone call to Winegard to see.