Hi-Lo Trailer Co. Closes Shop

sayhonkmon said:

That's why I couldn't get any help from the parts dept..
OK, we need to all help one another with parts sources, service info and general help. Maybe we could start a special "maintenance, parts and problem" topic area for us dummies that are new to everything about a Hi-Lo.

You experts out there should start writing some tech columns about the Hi-Lo
or if anyone knows an EX-Hilo service guy; get him to join the forum..
thanks.

Click to expand...

This link may help since not everyone lives close to JR Repair.

Hi-Lo Trailer RV Dealers

I am not sure how current it is but it may help if you need service and are not a "do-it-yourselfer". I actually talked to a former Hi-Lo dealer/service center and even sent them the link to JR so they can get access to parts.

In case you never made it to the Hi-Lo factory in Belleville, OH, here are a few pictures taken in 2006. The first and last photos were taken in a separate building; frame and sub-floor work in the first photo, QA inspection and systems testing in the last photo. Yes, the place was bustling with craftsmen. Somehow they all missed being in the frame when I snapped the picture.

Enjoy. Jim

Along with the previous post, here is a shot of the outside of the Hi-Lo factory. The building on the right was where they did most of the assembly work.

Jim

Thanks for posting. I was at the Butler factory several times in the Early 90's but never made it to the Belleville plant.

Sad to hear this news. I stumbled upon this site today. I was a very happy owner of a '82 Hi-Lo 22' model for 14 years. I think I paid $8,200 for it and sold it for $5,400. The trailer was kept in great shape due to it being either under cover in a car port or in a garage for its entire life with us.

I remember stopping over at Butler Ohio on a return trip from Cooperstown NY. The plant was closed on vacation but someone there performed an adjustment on my cables to tighten them up since one corner was not sealing tightly. I also showed him my tub which had a crack. He noted that the tub wasn't supported correctly and with that ordered me a new tub to be sent to my local dealer. Now this was after the trailer was 8 years old. No charge to me and I installed it myself quite easily.

I still contend that my Hi-Lo was the best insulated trailer that I have ever owned and the quietest (keeping outside noise out) due to its wall construction.

I currently have an Airstream today and some of you may not know but the axles that were used on the Hi-Lo's are the same Dura-Torque axle used by Airstreams. As a matter of fact in 2002 we stayed overnight at the Airstream Factory in Jackson Center Ohio to have them look at our air conditioner. Parked next to us in the company campground was a Hi-Lo who was there for an axle alignment. Good to remember for those of you may need that service in the future.

Again, glad to see a forum dedicated to Hi-Lo owners. I used to tell people that I could always could make a new friend in every campground, based on the folks who came over to see what it looked like inside and how the Hi-Lo went up and down.

Jack

2011 Hi-Lo models

HAH. Surfing the net, and browsing through online trailer dealers, I just saw a Model 2711 listed. Don't think it was a typo, they wrote 2011 twice in the description. In our dreams... I sent them an E-mail suggesting that they check their numbers!

Jim

Here are a few more pics of the Belleville Hi-Lo plant, and a couple of the old Butler plant when it was H & T RV & Trailer Repair / J & R Enterprise. These were all taken in 2006. Wish I could remember the names of the two fellows in the picture. The one on the the left did our main gasket replacement... he said he is the same person who did the original install when the trailer was built in 1969. BTW, for our photo album, if anyone remembers their names, please let me know.

Jim

When the Hi-Lo plant shut down they listed several 2011 models in their remaining inventory. I doubt if they were any different from the 2010's, just the last run in production.

Jim, I emailed the photo to my Hi-Lo dealer friend. He will probably know their names.

Jim,
I can't say for sure but the guy on the left looks like the same guy that is with Rob at JR Repair and his name is Jim. If it is the same guy he has worked at Hi-Lo for years. We were just at JR Repair end of Oct 2010. I swear this is the same guy. Very nice gentelman.

Deb, yes, I remember both guys as being very nice. In fact they really went out of their way to get us back on the road asap. We had prearranged the job before we departed Idaho, and they were literally waiting for us to arrive to get started! I just remembered that the fellow on the right had a mild English/Australian accent.

Rich, thanks for forwarding the photo. I look forward to seeing if your dealer friend knows.

Jim

The man on the left is Jim Seals. He is the "J" in J & R Trailer Repair.

I told Jim-JMDoering That's who I thought it was. Jim of J&R. He is the nicest guy. Very helpful. Don't know who the other fellow is though.

JMDoering said:

Deb, yes, I remember both guys as being very nice. In fact they really went out of their way to get us back on the road asap. We had prearranged the job before we departed Idaho, and they were literally waiting for us to arrive to get started! I just remembered that the fellow on the right had a mild English/Australian accent.

Rich, thanks for forwarding the photo. I look forward to seeing if your dealer friend knows.

Jim

Click to expand...

My dealer friend recognized Jim but not the other man.

The great guessing game has started he is " My monkeys uncle "

Just a thought maybe we should get in contact with Jim at J&R repair and find out who this mystery man is standing beside him....lol

While browsing through the thread titled "Factory Hi-Lo parts, I found an older sub-thread called "JR Enterprises." Under that title, one of the Forum members wrote that that JR Enterprises had closed because one of the owners, Greg Stanley, had unexpectedly passed. As you probably know, this business reopened as J & R Repair after Hi-Lo closed down. So...in the photo, perhaps the gent to Jim Seals' left, is Greg Stanley.

Jim

From the info that my dealer friend gave me, he did not recognize the fellow that was with Jim and I am sure he knew Greg quite well. How old is that photo, I assume that it is a number years old. I was at their shop a few years ago but I don't remember anything about the guys we met.

Rich,

The photo was taken in 2006, immediately following the National Rally in Monroe, MI. We travelled directly from Monroe to Butler.

Jim

J&R Trailer

We certainly hope J & R will be in the HiLo business for a long time. Maybe they'll restart the business. Jim and Rob are among the best ambassadors for the Hi-Lo trailer - they're there for the customer.