problem lowering my 1976 hi-lo

I have a 1976 hi-lo that I can't get to lower. I have looked near the step and do not see any safety latch unless in not sure what it may look like. I have tried completely unscrewing the cork screw by the pump which should pull all the fluid back into the pump causing it to lower and nothing happens. Then I finally unscrewed and drained the fluid out from under the RV in an attempt to make it lower and still nothing happened. The pump engages and will raise it i just can't get it to go down. I seem to have problems both ways the pump engages but if I have it down for any length of time I have problems raising it and if I have it up for any length of time I have lowering it. Any suggestions or anyone out there ever had this kind of problem I am completely baffled as this is my first RV here.

First off, if you drained the fluid you need to put fluid back in the reservoir, but only about a inch in the bottom of it. Then screw the manual lowering valve back in. Next raise the top with the pump so it takes the weight of the top off of the safety bar. When you try to raise the top check to make sure the reservoir still has fluid in the bottom of it, since you had drained fluid. You may have drained fluid out of the pressure line and the pressure side of the hydraulic cylinder. When you raise the top off of the safety bar you should see the top raise a fraction of a inch. Now the safety bar release is a cable that usually comes out of a hole next to the lowering switch. It should have a loop in the end of it. Pull on the loop and it should pull out aprox an inch. Hold it and push the lowering swich and the top should start coming down. You can release the safety release cable after the top has come down a couple of inches. I am assuming that the cable has not broken off and is missing. I am also assuming that your older HiLo operates basically the same as newer ones. I have also sent you a private message.

problem lowering hi-lo

I may have forgot to put that in there as that is the normal method to lower it but that was actually the first thing that i tried and it did not work. I then did the other things listed in the original post.

Thanks,
William

ongoing problems

I tried the method you suggested and it did not budge. After priming the lines as best as could be done. I then got under the trailer with a hammer and knocked away the safety bar the top did not move. I then went inside and attempted to lower it with the pump and it did not lower. I then went through the normal lower process of trying to raise it pull the cord the lower it and no results. The pump engages but the top does not move at all. That is where i stopped . I checked before i left and the safety bar is still disengaged but the top remains erect.

Here is the link to the 1977 manual which would be basically the same as the 1976 manual:http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f49/owners-manual-1977-2577-a-1117/ It explains the lift system operation.

The manual states the safety release is near the lift switch. There should be a cable with a loop for a handle sticking out of a hole somewhere next to the switch. Maybe yours is broken, but you should see a hole where it comes through.

william said:

I tried the method you suggested and it did not budge. After priming the lines as best as could be done. I then got under the trailer with a hammer and knocked away the safety bar the top did not move. I then went inside and attempted to lower it with the pump and it did not lower. I then went through the normal lower process of trying to raise it pull the cord the lower it and no results. The pump engages but the top does not move at all. That is where i stopped . I checked before i left and the safety bar is still disengaged but the top remains erect.

Click to expand...

William I sent you a private message. JIM

1985 Hi Lo not lowering, need to do manually

Hi anyone, my husband and I are battling our heads trying to figure out how you
lower the hi lo manually, I have read to Release the safety bar, but cannot find out where this is on/in/under the trailer?? Is there any videos, I have looked on you tube but cannot find anything, it has been in the upright position for about 9 months, and we were suppose to take it camping tomorrow, nothing like leaving things til the last minute.
Can anyone help us of give us an idea what to do, as I have read that we cannot tow it in upright position correct??

Please help asap, Thanks so much
my cell is 310 951 3393 if someone can contact me with info, if it might be a simple job.

My 76 has to be manually lowered using the knob, but it turns in (not out).

Is there a leak..

Not sure about older Hi Los, but is there a release cable just inside the door? This is pulled to release the safety bar after raising the top to take weight off the bar.

georgiegal said:

Hi anyone, my husband and I are battling our heads trying to figure out how you
lower the hi lo manually, I have read to Release the safety bar, but cannot find out where this is on/in/under the trailer?? Is there any videos, I have looked on you tube but cannot find anything, it has been in the upright position for about 9 months, and we were suppose to take it camping tomorrow, nothing like leaving things til the last minute.
Can anyone help us of give us an idea what to do, as I have read that we cannot tow it in upright position correct??

Please help asap, Thanks so much
my cell is 310 951 3393 if someone can contact me with info, if it might be a simple job.

Click to expand...

Next to the raising/lowering switch there should be a cable with a loop on the end sticking through the wall. That releases the safety bar which is under the floor next to the hydraulic cylinder.