I can raise and lower our manual penthouse top with no problem. My wife can lower it but not raise it. Lowering is the easy part in that anyone weighing over ~70 pounds can hang on the penthouse handles and lower it. I do note that as I head north of 70 years of age that each year for some reason the top gets just a little bit heavier. Also what happens if I sprain my back while we are on a trip? Would be painful raising the top.
So I bought $3.10 of material and made a backup powered system to raise the top when needed. Thought I would share since the subject comes up once and awhile.
Modified our penthouse bed
Have electric drill. Made a load distribution block and bought some 3/8" rod.
Put it all together....
Raise the top (wood load block shown was my first grab from scrap box).