Dang! My father has a 1987 hi-lo 22foot fun chaser. He bought it in 1989. It has been stored indoors and has been used very little in the past 22 years. He has had it in the up position for a few years. Yesterday we went to pick it up so that my husband and three kids could enjoy it....but....it wouldn't lower. We looked at the hydraulic res. And it was empty! There was no leak on the floor, so where did it go? Under the trailer, everything looks great. Cables are on straight. We had power. The manual switch wouldn't put the top down either. We are at a loss. My dad lives about 7 hours from us in a very small town in sw Colorado and now the trailer is stuck in the garage since we can't get it down. Where did the fluid go and are there any suggestions as to how we may resolve this issue? Please help! I was sure happy to find this site and any help or advice is sure welcomed.

It sounds like it settled. Try raising it then lowering it. As for where thefluid went....after being stored for that long, it's anybody's guess.

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"Ruben"
2404T, 2003 2500HD 4X4 GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab w/Astro camper shell and 2003 Chevy Tahoe LE 4X2
Far West Texas

Fill the reservoir to within 2-3" of top when up. Be sure you have a good battery hooked up and not just plugged into 110V. Raise the top a bit. Pull out on the release cable next to the up/down switch and push down while pulling out on the safety release cable. If you get it down be careful towing it with those old tires! Good luck!

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2001 Towlite 24TD
2003 Chevy Avalanche Z71
Past campers: 1989 Funlite 21', 1997 TrailManor, 1979 Holiday Rambler MH., 1982 Palomino PopUP, tent!

It's in the hydraulic cylinder under the trailer. It's in its fully extended position now so all of the fluid is in it and the lines. When the top is down, the cylinder is contracted and the fluid needs a place to go, hence the need for a resevoir.

Does the pump turn on and try to push the top up when you use the switch to lift the top? Can you manually pump the top up enough to unload the safety latch? The top has settled on the safety latch and is preventing them from disengaging when you pull the release cable. It needs to be lifted off of the safety catch by a hair, either by the lift pump or manual pump. You might be slightly low enough on hydraulic fluid that the pump can't lift the top up.

We are unable to get the top to raise up any further than it already is (stuck up)... And nor can we get it to lower. We did fill the res up, but doesn't appear to be going anywhere now that we have fluid in it. Still at a bit of a loss. Appreciate the feedback though!

I'm looking through my owners manual for my 2404TL and on page 23-24, paragraph 7.9, there are some troubleshooting tips on the lift mechanism.

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"Ruben"
2404T, 2003 2500HD 4X4 GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab w/Astro camper shell and 2003 Chevy Tahoe LE 4X2
Far West Texas

When the top is up the reservoir is and should be almost empty, the fluid is in the hydraulic cylinder, if you fill the reservoir when the top is up and you get the top to go down, the reservoir will over flow and push out a lot of fluid, you may even blow the fill cap off. Don't know if this model has a master switch but it may be in the wrong position. Are you sure the battery is fully charged?

OK, lets diagnose the problem.
What process are you using to raise the hi-lo?
What process are you using to lower it?
Do you hear any noises coming from the pump?
What happens when you pull the safety release cable?

Fireball and pop are right about the fluid. When in the up position the reservoir is almost empty, its in the cylinder. If you have filled it the fluid will be all over the floor when you do get it lowered. You have still not said if the pump runs when you press the switch in the up position. The pump does not run to lower the top. An electronic valve opens when you press the switch to the down position and the weight of the top pushes the fluid back into the reservoir. Did you put a new battery in the rv? It takes a good battery to lift the top and as the previous comments have said you must raise the top to take pressure off of the safety bar before you try to lower the top. Just plugging the rv into house power will not provide enough power to run the pump. Keep working with us here and we will get this fixed. If it would be easier to talk you thru this problem email your phone number and best time to call an I will call you.

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Jim L & Faye
2805C
2003 Silvarado diesel crew cab
2017 Silvarado, crew cab 1500 6.2L gas w/ 8 speed tranny
central VA

I forgot to give you my email, its loghm@aol.com.

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Jim L & Faye
2805C
2003 Silvarado diesel crew cab
2017 Silvarado, crew cab 1500 6.2L gas w/ 8 speed tranny
central VA

Nice post, Jim - I couldn't have said it better! *thumbsup*

To the OP, you could also try "jumpstarting" the battery in the trailer with cables from a known good vehicle battery to raise it off the safety bar.

- 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

We have tried two batteries. One known good one. We do not hear the pump making any noise.

Next tell us what your abilities are at troubleshooting. Do you have a volt meter and know how to check for voltage? Do you have a owners manual for this rv? If the rv has been setting for years with a battery you could have some corroded connections that need to be cleaned. Are you knowledgeable in the operation of the Hi-Lo? Many of these rvs have a fuse or circuit breaker in the power circuit. If a circuit breaker is popped some have a button on the side to push in and reset it. I have a newer Hi-Lo, 2005 so have limited knowledge on the electrical system on older ones. Your problem is mostly likely a minor one and you will get help here on the forum so keep working at it and keep us posted on what you find.

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Jim L & Faye
2805C
2003 Silvarado diesel crew cab
2017 Silvarado, crew cab 1500 6.2L gas w/ 8 speed tranny
central VA

I appreciate your help and encouragement! My dad is pretty knowledgable and experienced.....he's very handy and mechanical, so I am sure he has a volt meter that he can check with. He does also have the owners manual. I think it would be best for you to give him a call to discuss....he is at 970.327.0364 and the best time to reach him would be in the evening/night. He is mt. Time zone. I am at 720.870.1174 and can be reached just about anytime.

The pump not making any noise is good news. I asked for specifics (Which we do need to help you fix your problem) to try to troubleshoot the problem.

When you try to raise the top. Do you move the 3 position power switch to the correct position? On mine, it's all the way up but mine is a 2002. The pump won't move unless this switch is in the "lift" position. All other 12V functions will work in the middle position of mine. With the switch in lift position, no other 12V functions should work.

Hey Nodowner - where are you guys at?

I recognize the 970 phone # as being western CO - which is where I am. Maybe I can swing by and be of some help?

My dad is in Norwood, closeish to telluride. I am in Denver.

I know that spot well -

Not exactly right next door, but perhaps I can take a motorbike ride over and chip in. I'm leaving for a while, but I'll keep tabs on the thread. When I get back perhaps I can check in on you guys.

I'm no HiLo expert - but I'm happy to offer moral support and whatever else I can throw at the problem!

Great! Hopefully we will be all fixed up soon....my dad is a motorbike fan as well!

HI Nodowner, Has your Dad gotten the top to lower yet if so what was the problem?

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Jim L & Faye
2805C
2003 Silvarado diesel crew cab
2017 Silvarado, crew cab 1500 6.2L gas w/ 8 speed tranny
central VA