leveling/tightening tension cables

Hi all, I want to make sure my decade old cables don't need any adjusting. I've looked at the "get four pieces of 2x4 instructions and lower" but had a question.

If I lower the unit all the way down how is this different then lowering via 2x4's ?

Is is normal to feel slack if I lower via the 2x4 method or all the way down to the rubber stops?

Thanks! and many more questions to come from this camper newb!

Im a bit confused here by your question and someone will come along and describe in more detail. If you lower all the way down, I think, you wont have access to the adjusting bolts (cant remember where they are right now, actually). Also, when you lower it all the way you will run out most of the cable. By lowering ONTO the 2x4s you can get yourself some slack in the cables with which to adjust things. I suppose if there is play in the cable and you lower it all the way the slack will be there when you are done, but you shouldnt "feel" any while it is lowering.

Rick
ps- this is a great thread. download the PDF http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/cable-replacement-adjustment-1998-24td-125/

I don't have qty 4 2x4's of the same length for the moment. I went ahead and lowered the unit. With the unit all the way down I was able to access the 4 bolts and reached behind the four bolts to check cable tension. I noticed the first upper left was really really loose. I went ahead and tightened it up. The one to the right was a bit loose too and tightened that one up just a little.

Just wasn't sure how this was dramatically different then lowering on four 2x4's

You might be missing the point. The idea of adjusting the cables is to adjust the level of the trailer when raised from front to back or right to left. If one corner looks lower, then adjustment somewhere is likely warranted. That said, once the adjustment is done, then you are bound to have "slack", possibly, in one of the cables once the unit is resting on something. Reaching back and adjusting loose cable may have helped , or, it may have caused more problems the next time you raise it. You will have to look and, ideally, measure. I think the idea of just raising it down to the 2x4s ( I havent had to do it yet) is to make the process of tightening and rechecking etc easier by not having to bring it all the way down each time to tweak it if you have to do it more than once.

Rick

I THINK maybe you can get more slack in the cables by using the 2x4 method rather than lowering to the outriggers. The hydraulic lift has gone all the way to the low limit if the top is on the outriggers, but is in an intermediate position if the top is on 2x4s and possibly moves to a position that loosens the cables more.

I seemed to have better luck using the 2x4 method.

And, guy, you don't need to adjust them if the seal is making good contact all the way around.

- Jack

JackandJanet said:

And, guy, you don't need to adjust them if the seal is making good contact all the way around.

- Jack

Click to expand...

As Jack says about the seal, that is the main reason for adjustment. The upper and lower seals need to make snug contact with each other. Over adjustment can potentially push the seals too far and cause damage to them, so you need to take it a little at a time and keep checking. Making the inside trim rails even with each other doesn't mean the seals are meeting properly.

And, yes, what Rich and Jack said.

Rick

Thanks guys! like I said one was real real loose (the locking nut was even backed out) and I tightened it (but not too much).

My logic is tightening when on the rubber stops can't be different than tightening on 2x4's

After lubing ALL the cables and pulleys I did notice a couple of spots where the cables are actually rubbing against something! Should I be concerned?

The way I adjust mine is level the trailer front to back and side to side. I then lower it till they just touch the same size 2x4's the 1 last to touch is to tight lose it up till they all just touch the 2x4's it just makes it easier then walking around with a ruler every time you adjust one cable. Then I raise it up to see if they touch the seals a little bit. If it looks like seals to pressed I back all 4 bolts of a little the same distance.

thatguy said:

Thanks guys! like I said one was real real loose (the locking nut was even backed out) and I tightened it (but not too much).

My logic is tightening when on the rubber stops can't be different than tightening on 2x4's

After lubing ALL the cables and pulleys I did notice a couple of spots where the cables are actually rubbing against something! Should I be concerned?

Click to expand...

Cable rub is never a good thing. You should be concerned as it can cause premature cable wear and failure.

2005retired2005 said:

The way I adjust mine is level the trailer front to back and side to side. I then lower it till they just touch the same size 2x4's the 1 last to touch is to tight lose it up till they all just touch the 2x4's it just makes it easier then walking around with a ruler every time you adjust one cable. Then I raise it up to see if they touch the seals a little bit. If it looks like seals to pressed I back all 4 bolts of a little the same distance.

Click to expand...

Genius, Thanks. And I'll look into the fixing the cables from rubbing/friction.