I have a 1996. We are winterizing and when we tried to lower the trailer, the lock would not engage nor would the light come on that indicates the raise/lower is working.

It is all the way up and when I try to raise it there is a very low sort of whine, but nothing to hear when trying to lower.

We do have the switch on the lower position

You won't hear anything in particular when the top is lowering. The only thing the lowering position of the raise/lower switch does is to open a return valve up next to the hydraulic pump.

When you raise the top, as you hold the raise/lower switch in the raise position, did you pull the safety bar lanyard out, and then holding it out, did you put that switch to the lowering position? Once the top starts down, you can let go of the lanyard.

From your post, it sounds like the top is binding on the safety bar. Once you get the weight of the top off of it, you can pull the lanyard to release the safety bar.

My trailer does not have any light that comes on when raise/lower is activated. I didn't know any trailer had this feature.

- Jack

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Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System, SoftStartRV mounted on A/C
2024 F150 Platinum FX4 3.5L PowerBoost SCrew

Jack, Older models had the light, it indicates that the safety bar isn't properly engaged. I never saw one operating. If you look at some of the older manuals you will see the light and it's shown on the wiring diagrams.

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My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU

Thanks, Rich! Learn something new each time I come here it seems. The light sounds a good idea.

If the light is not on then, it would indicate the safety bar is in place and is preventing the top from coming down. So, they need to get the top off the bar, release it, and then it should lower, right?

- Jack

It should work that way.

__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU

Wonder where the micro switch was located, I'd like that lite.

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Treeclimber
2703 Tow Lite
2002 Escalade
Bonita Springs, Fl. &
Andrews, NC

That's a good question. All I know about them is what I have seen in the manuals.

__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU

That switch is located through the floor board just above the lock bar, and close to the outside wall.

I'd think that location would be a bit problematic. Seems to me it would be exposed to lots of road debris, water and other factors that could make it inoperable. If it fails, what does it do to the bar retraction and top lowering system?

- Jack