HILO v TRAILLITE

structural design

my 1978 is tubular steel . i know newer ones are wood not sure when they started one and ended the other.hope this helps some.:cool:
 
I believe from things I have read that all HI-LO Classic models have a metal Frame. HI-LO Towlites in the 90tys had wood frames not sure of the years, around 2000 both models had metal frames. Classic models are heavier and have solid wood cabinets, the cabinets in Towlites have plastic laminated wood.
Some one else may know more.
 
My 97 Towlite has 1" square metal (steel) roof rafters, Wood walls and hollow core cabinet doors to make the trailer as light as possible(compaired to a Classic) Later years went to Alumium framing.
 
Even my 2209 Towlite has the same plastic covered wood that the 95 Towlite has.
I think most or all have metal framing in the roof.
There doesn't seem to be any way to find out for sure about the metal framing.
The 95 T has a wood frame in the top sides and also the bottom part, metal framing in the roof, I been inside it, so that I know.
One of the reasons that I bought the 2209 T was it had metal framing and very little wood in it.
 
I think that when they(Towlite) went to the smooth(flat) fiberglass exterior is when the all metal frame began. That was in about 2000.
 
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I believe that Rich is correct- we have a vhs tape that came with our trailer and shows how it is made- been a long time since we watched it, but seems he is correct on the wall studs being metal. Maybe I will watch it again on our one remaining vhs tape player.
 
Pipers Family said:
I believe that Rich is correct- we have a vhs tape that came with our trailer and shows how it is made- been a long time since we watched it, but seems he is correct on the wall studs being metal. Maybe I will watch it again on our one remaining vhs tape player.
Click to expand...

Wow, a vhs tape! I would really enjoy a copy (either vhs or dvd). I would purchase it and pay shipping. Let me know via personal measage on this forum.
 
I think HI-LO switched to Aluminum upper/lower sections in 2006

I recall in 2006 HI-LO switched to aluminum framing in the upper and lower sections to reduce weight, and I think they also changed the wooden sill in the upper section to aluminum in order to stop the long-time issue with the wood absorbing water and eventually bulging out / failing. J&R would know for sure.

Jeff
 
Frame construction

I believe the "current" construction (smooth side- as opposed to the former rippled side) started in 1996 and ran through 2011 models. (Hi-Lo titled some 2010's as 2011's just prior to the factory's closing. The smooth side construction used 1 inch square alunimum tubing for the upper and probably lower frame construction. Any wood framing would be sometime prior to 1996.
 
we just bought a 1996 Funlite 24' , it has the rippled sides, I wonder if it has steel or wood frame??
 
Every so often, a question comes up regarding Hi-Lo construction... specifically in what models, or years, did the company build frames out of wood, steel, or aluminum. We all (forum contributors) never really sound too certain about our answers.:cool:

Recently it was posted here that Joel, formerly of the Hi-Lo Company, was starting up a company to repair Hi-Lo trailers, and that he had procured a bunch of Hi-Lo parts and the BLUEPRINTS.

It would be great if Joel could definitively enlighten us all as to the facts of when and what models employed wood, steel or aluminum frames.

What do you say Joel? As a potential customer, I'd be grateful! :)
 
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