looking - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

superdave · 08-23-2011, 07:12 PM

I will be looking soon & want to know some questions 1st...
I have a toyota tacoma o5 4dr trd sr5....what can I pull easy/as in models/ size...want air & hopefully full bath(not a sit shower)- will I need 1 or 2 axle-what can I expect in used prices? what do I look for good /bad

JackandJanet · 08-23-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdave

I will be looking soon & want to know some questions 1st...
I have a toyota tacoma o5 4dr trd sr5....what can I pull easy/as in models/ size...want air & hopefully full bath(not a sit shower)- will I need 1 or 2 axle-what can I expect in used prices? what do I look for good /bad

Your truck MIGHT be rated at up to 5000#, with the right hitch. Is it a 6-cyl? If it's a 4-cyl, you're not going to be able to pull much at all.

I don't think you have a prayer of finding anything with a full bath that you can tow. I'm pretty sure full bath trailers need a diesel in the Ford 250 or Chevy 2500 model range (or better).

- Jack

sam · 08-23-2011, 09:57 PM

Prices can be found at www.NADA guides.com

RichR · 08-23-2011, 11:03 PM

Assuming you have the V6 and the tow package, the trailer limit is 6500 pounds, and the combined weight rating is 11,100 pounds. You must deduct the weight of truck cargo and passengers from the 6500 pounds. Rule of thumb is 80% of the towing capacity for maximum trailer weight. That would be 5200 pounds. You could pull up to a 22' Towlite. That is what I have and everything works fine.

superdave · 08-25-2011, 06:40 PM

yes a v6...22 ft er come with a full bath?....what sizes come with a sit bath.......what are problems to watch for aside from leaks?...how old of one would you go back if in good condition & still be safe...& get good fuel mileage?

campthewestcoast · 08-25-2011, 07:05 PM

Dave,

Here are other forum threads to check out and they should answer your questions:

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f15/...on-thread-895/

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f15/...-purchase-871/

The 19ft and smaller Hi-Lo Trailers come with a wet bath. With a wet bath, you don't have a separate shower or tub. The shower is over the top of the toilet.

With a 21ft and larger Hi-Lo Trailer, you have a separate shower/tub. Many people have posted pictures on this site, and that should give you an idea about how the shower/tub is set up.

There are also reference manuals in the Library that may give you more information on the sizes and layout. Hi-Lo did not change their floorplans much throughout the years.

RichR · 08-25-2011, 09:05 PM

If you get a 1999 or later in a Towlite model you will get a metal frame in the walls and roof as opposed to the wood frame in the older models. That can reduce some possible problems.

If I have 1999 incorrect, somebody please correct me.

Classic models run higher in weight than Towlite models, but they start at 24' and go up.

campthewestcoast · 08-25-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

If you get a 1999 or later in a Towlite model you will get a metal frame in the walls and roof as opposed to the wood frame in the older models. That can reduce some possible problems.

If I have 1999 incorrect, somebody please correct me.

Classic models run higher in weight than Towlite models, but they start at 24' and go up.

I believe, the towlite didn't start using alumiumm in the walls and roof framing until 2003. The older towlites had 1" square tubing as roof framing and wood in the walls. The classic models start at 22' and had solid wood cabinets and trim instead of pres-board on the towlite.

Thankful · 08-26-2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

If you get a 1999 or later in a Towlite model you will get a metal frame in the walls and roof as opposed to the wood frame in the older models. That can reduce some possible problems.

If I have 1999 incorrect, somebody please correct me.

Classic models run higher in weight than Towlite models, but they start at 24' and go up.

My 1998 Towlite has steel tubing in the walls.

RichR · 08-26-2011, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the correction on the metal framework. My literature goes back to 1999 and I knew they started with metal somewhere back in that area and wasn't sure how much before 1999 it was.

TrulyOregon · 08-30-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdave

I will be looking soon & want to know some questions 1st...
I have a toyota tacoma o5 4dr trd sr5....what can I pull easy/as in models/ size...want air & hopefully full bath(not a sit shower)- will I need 1 or 2 axle-what can I expect in used prices? what do I look for good /bad

We have a 2007 22' towlite and tow it with a 2010 Tacoma TRD, 4-door, V-6 Sport with towing package (a must). The most critical item is the hitch weight. The hitch weight is NOT as good as it should be because of all the add-ons that the dealers include. We're going to downgrade our big propane tanks to the smaller ones and we do not travel with any water on board. You have to be very conscious of what and where you put stuff in the trailer. Really recommend having a quality hitch scale to accurately determine the weight.

JackandJanet · 08-31-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrulyOregon

We have a 2007 22' towlite and tow it with a 2010 Tacoma TRD, 4-door, V-6 Sport with towing package (a must). The most critical item is the hitch weight. The hitch weight is NOT as good as it should be because of all the add-ons that the dealers include. We're going to downgrade our big propane tanks to the smaller ones and we do not travel with any water on board. You have to be very conscious of what and where you put stuff in the trailer. Really recommend having a quality hitch scale to accurately determine the weight.

Amen to that! I have this scale: Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scales With it, I found my HiLo's hitch weight was WAY over the "spec" value, even with the trailer empty. (I've posted on this in the past). In fact, if I put fresh water in the tank and nothing else, the hitch force exceeded the 600# rating of my WD hitch! (It should have only been about 380-400 according to my Hi-Lo manual.) With the scale, I was able to calculate a safe distance to move the trailer axle forward to balance it properly.

I know it seems "pricey", but I'm really glad I have it. I still check the hitch load now and then.

- Jack

sam · 08-31-2011, 10:28 PM

Wouldn' t it be helpful to have a complete history of all the HiLo's made. In other words each year model listed with any changes made. This would give you a reference to say when the towlites went from metal framiing to wood framing ect.

RichR · 09-01-2011, 09:51 AM

Are you volunteering to do that?