Help! New to campers - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

itsgoat · 04-06-2015, 01:03 PM

Hi! We decided (kind of last minute) to buy a small trailer. A 1993 HiLo popped up for a good deal so we jumped on it. But we've never owned a camper before (other than our parents having them when we were kids). We would like some guidance of things we should know about the HiLo (or RVs in general) in regards to good resource material, maintenance, general care, etc. Any input or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Moonstruck · 04-06-2015, 01:22 PM

Welcome, and congrats on your new to you Hi-Lo. Oh my, so much to cover. Here is one suggestion. There are tutorals posted on youtube.com. Here is the first of a series that should be a good place to start. There are also many more none Hi-Lo specific ones that are good too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G3-2jyjm-c

Don

RCREYES · 04-06-2015, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsgoat

Hi! We decided (kind of last minute) to buy a small trailer. A 1993 HiLo popped up for a good deal so we jumped on it. But we've never owned a camper before (other than our parents having them when we were kids). We would like some guidance of things we should know about the HiLo (or RVs in general) in regards to good resource material, maintenance, general care, etc. Any input or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum! Here's a link to the whole Hi-Lo miniseries! Enjoy and good luck.

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f49/...-youtube-1233/

JackandJanet · 04-06-2015, 04:14 PM

Then, spend some time going through the applicable sections of this forum, skipping things like vacation pictures or for sale threads. There is a wealth of information here too. Lots of knowledge gained the hard way through experience.

Glad to have you with us!

- Jack

Moonstruck · 04-06-2015, 04:52 PM

There is a useful search feature on the top menu bar.

RichR · 04-06-2015, 06:02 PM

If you don't have a manual here is one for a newer model but there is little difference from year to year, and one manual covers all models for any model year. The appliances, stove, fridge, water heater, furnace, etc. all have their own manuals. Look in the reference library for those, or get online to the companies that make the appliances and download the manuals. You will need the model numbers which you can find on the appliances.

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f49/...-towlight-621/

sam · 04-13-2015, 10:07 PM

Itsgoat welcome aboard. What length is your HiLo? Is it a Classic or a towelite? What is your tow vehicle? What state are you from? Ask away as we have very good forum members that will answer all your guestions.

itsgoat · 04-15-2015, 11:49 PM

Thank you for all the responses. Still learning the ins and outs, but I think with the help of this forum, we are slowly getting more comfortable with our new toy. One thing that has me stumped so far, we haven't been able to get the fridge to run. I've been unable to start the fridge with lp, unable to start when hooked up through an adapter and connected to my home electric(was able to test and run the a/c with no issues), and I tried unplugging the fridge from the outside compartment and directly plugging it into an extension cord. All 3 attempts have failed. Is there a switch or a fuse I'm missing somewhere?

JackandJanet · 04-16-2015, 11:39 AM

Since you're new to trailer camping, you may not realize that the trailer refrigerator uses an "evaporative" cooling system that is completely quiet. There is no compressor sound like you have in the refrigerator in your kitchen.

And, the trailer refrigerator cools down VERY slowly - I give mine a full 24 hours to reach a cool state. You will hardly see any difference after only a couple hours, if that's when you're checking.

There IS a fan, that removes heat from the evaporator coils, but it only comes on after they heat up (thermostatically controlled). I THINK it has an inline fuse that is accessible behind the lower vent panels on the outside of the trailer. You would hear the fan when it comes on, but it won't be on all the time and will not start when you turn the refrigerator on. It's also turned on with a separate switch.

Beyond these observations, I don't have any better advice.

- Jack

itsgoat · 04-16-2015, 11:45 AM

Thank you jack. I'll leave it plugged in overnight and see if its cold in the morning. Thanks again and wish me luck!!

JackandJanet · 04-16-2015, 12:40 PM

Wishes sent! I DO hope you can get it working, because replacements are not cheap.

- Jack

Papa · 04-16-2015, 08:21 PM

itsgoat,
Congrat's on your Hi Lo purchase. I've read through most of the answers to your post. I would add that the components (refrigerator, stove, water heater etc) are common makes that come in many different rv's. That being said you should be able to go on the internet and find a user's manual for your manufacture and model of refrigerator. That should give start up and running operations procedures. The Hi Lo refrigerator is a little different in most campers. In most campers the refrigerator runs on Gas or Shore Power Electricity (120 volts). In the Hi Lo the refrigerator runs on Gas, Shore Power (120 volts) plus battery voltage (12 volts). You need to get familiar with this. Most rev's run the refrigerator on Gas when towing down the road. But with the Hi Lo in the lowered position you will have to run the refrigerator on battery power.
Another caution is raising your Hi Lo. Most tow vehicles have a fuze in the line for the 7 pin plug. When you raise your Hi Lo the initial amps to start the hydraulic pump will cause the vehicle fuse to blow. I would suggest that you research this before attempting to raise your Hi Lo (WHILE CONNECTED TO THE TOW VEHICLE). If' you'd post your tow vehicle I feel sure someone would let you know if you have a concern.
You will find valuable information on this forum. Just ask questions and one of us have had your same question and will have an answer.
God Bless
Papa

wjc · 04-21-2015, 01:13 PM

just got a 1988 22 footer Sunchaser

question is;I have a female 30 amp hard wired cable on my hi-lo, & the camp site is 30 amp female also.

How do I hook up?
what am I missing here?

Bill & Brenda

hilltool · 04-21-2015, 01:37 PM

Im stumped. Just googled for adapters etc and can't find anything. seems weird. But, the obvious solution is a 30 amp cord where you cut off the female end and wire in a 30 amp male plug. Still- can't say I have ever seen that before. But, You may want to double check and make sure you aren't looking at something else- like the plug in for the air conditioner, though that isn't usually a 30 amp plug.

RichR · 04-21-2015, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjc

just got a 1988 22 footer Sunchaser

question is;I have a female 30 amp hard wired cable on my hi-lo, & the camp site is 30 amp female also.

How do I hook up?
what am I missing here?

Bill & Brenda

Some of the older HiLo trailers had a cord with a female end that plugs into a male plug on the upper half to supply power to the A/C. There should be an other cord with a male end for plugging into external power. Consult the manual's electrical section and it explains that:http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f49/...-classic-2016/ This manual will probably cover your model year.

JackandJanet · 04-21-2015, 05:51 PM

Bill, you MUST be looking at the A/C power cord.

The shore power cord would most likely be on an exterior corner of the lower part of the trailer. I wonder if it happens to be in the same compartment as the female ended cord you were looking at?

- Jack

KnottyRig · 02-03-2016, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilltool

Im stumped. Just googled for adapters etc and can't find anything. seems weird. But, the obvious solution is a 30 amp cord where you cut off the female end and wire in a 30 amp male plug. Still- can't say I have ever seen that before. But, You may want to double check and make sure you aren't looking at something else- like the plug in for the air conditioner, though that isn't usually a 30 amp plug.

I know this is an older post that I'm replying to, but feel it's important enough so a new reader understands:

DO NOT MAKE A SUICIDE CORD - that's what you call a power cord with 2 male adapters. When plugged in, those exposed pins of the plug are energized - any contact could be deadly.

Female connectors (sockets) provide power - male connectors (plugs) are for connecting TO power.

Never ever make one of these cords. Doesn't matter how "safe" you may think you are - if someone else picks it up accidentally, or it falls out, etc, it could cost someone their life.

Use proper wiring/electrical connections.