OK I will take the other side, having had both. Downside to the electric is very slow up and down and the greater actuator complexity and (very small) risk of not working. Slow is 1 min 20 sec up and about 1 min down...You are holding the rocker the whole time. Would be easier if they had a timer switch, but so far I'm too lazy to mod it...You can also bend your supports with a small oversight....
Upside is the weight variability on the roof doesn't matter.....
Downside to the manual is if you have varying weight...Mitigation is to balance the springs so it takes some effort to get it up loaded, but almost hanging on it to get it down. It is easy to do, and we have found a sweet spot where unloaded it springs up and loaded with ~50# requires not much push...YMMV with greater weight variability.
Upside is very reliable and quick...
We went the the electric and it is easy, but painfully slow......
Anyone with a mechanical that is lifting with difficulty do adjust the spring tension....I have a historical post on how it can be done relatively easily and quickly.....
Either is a treat to camp in in the boonies!
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Pac NW and warmer places
1995 E250 EB 5.8 2WD on to a new owner
2006 E350 EB Elect Top 2WD
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