Jayco 1208 Winch Problem; lowering

[tizlaney]

I have a 1990 Jayco 1208 that I have been working on for the past month or two. I have been working on the lift system (mostly with success) and am wondering if I am missing something.

My problem is that to lower the roof I must have another person apply "up" pressure to the winch (from the outside crank) while I from the inside disengage the "lock" on the winch to allow it to lower. I must hold the lever back the entire time the roof is being lowered.

I am familiar with this on older boat trailers but it seems as though something is missing! It doesn't seem that someone should have to crawl in there to lower the roof. Is there supposed to be a release on the outside or is my winch broken?