Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 

Go Back   Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum > Hi-Lo Community Forums > General Hi-Lo camper discussion
Click Here to Login
Register FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Log in

General Hi-Lo camper discussion The perfect place to discuss your Hi-Lo camper
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-04-2017, 11:44 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Utah
Posts: 26
Default Problem or not? 2003 Hilo

I asked the seller about these two areas from a photo. This camper is about 400 miles away, so I wanted to vet any big issues before making the journey.

It looked to me like there might be a problem behind the tin in the creasing or dent in the larger area I circled. The seller says that is just the way it is - not rotted or anything. No leaks and it has been totally inspected (whatever that means).

The other area looked like it might be part of the gasket or insulation between the upper and lower shell torn off or hanging down. The seller again assures me that is just a piece of rubber and the gasket is fine. I have went through most of the appliances and issues via text message with the seller and it seems they are all in good working order and the hot water heater has been replaced.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2017-10-03 at 3.18.22 PM.jpg (165.2 KB, 30 views)
__________________

Delray is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 01:44 PM   #2
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,692
Default

That's not a SUPER long drive - I think if it were me, I'd go take a look. The small piece of rubber doesn't bother me, because if it's a serious bulb seal problem, the seal can be replaced.

The bulge in the corner COULD indicate a leak though. You should be able to tell if you carefully inspect the inside of the wall there. Push on it and if it feels spongy, it's wet. Also, look for water stains in that area which would tell you there was a leak.

Wonder why the running light on the front is red? Maybe it was replaced at some point. Trailer looks clean, paint in good condition.

- Jack
__________________

__________________
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
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 04:06 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Utah
Posts: 26
Default

Thanks for the response Jack. I noticed on the interior shot, in that same area (I believe) with the bulge on the exterior, there is this decorative wallpaper band that appears to be sagging/separating off the wall. To me this is an indicator that something bad could be happening in that wall. It could also be a coincidence. I asked the owner to push the wall there and let me know if it is spongy.

If it turns out to be rot or plywood has broken down in there - any idea on how much or difficult that is to replace or ascertain damage? Sounds like a good use for the search function on this site
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 2.00.44 PM.jpg (177.4 KB, 21 views)
Delray is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 04:22 PM   #4
sam
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Niagara Falls,NY
Posts: 4,223
Default Advice on HiLo purchase

Jack is right that seals can be replaced. Use the buyers check list when checking out this unit. It looks to me that the border is taking a down word path. Anything in a HiLo can be fixed. Do you want to spend the time and $ for materials. Could be a few hundred $ollars in material. Don't be afraid to walk away if it needs repairs and you don;t want to take this project on.
sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 04:46 PM   #5
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,692
Default

Sam's given you good advice. I don't know what your capabilities are, or how interested you would be in doing a wall repair. I've never had to do one, so I don't have 1st hand experience. But, others on the forum have and I think once you get into it, it goes pretty quickly.

I'm not seeing any water stains there, but that band coming off the wall DOES look suspicious. Is there a picture of the ceiling with the bunk down so you can see it?

Personally, I'd go see it myself, rather than relying on the owner to tell you its condition. Is the price right?

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 05:01 PM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Utah
Posts: 26
Default

Yes, we will for sure go see it and haul it home if we purchase.
I just did not want to waste my time and expense traveling 10 hours if it has issues beyond my comfort level or cost. My wife is looking forward to re-upholstering and new curtains for most anything we get. I am pretty handy. The price was getting there. He is selling for a Grandparent who supposedly 1 owner, kept it garaged and only took it on trips 6 times. The decal sun damage looks like it has been outside awhile. The bulge concerns me. Otherwise this one looks fine and has the oven and a folding hitch.
Delray is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 05:43 PM   #7
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

Looking at the vent on top it looks like it has been replaced with an el which is not common to travel trailers. It may be there because of some kind of damage, or it could be a modification.

Also, I have never seen a small vent like what is on the side next to the upper fridge vent. I can't figure out what that is for. Maybe it was something that was unique to the particular year and model. We had an 1705T that didn't have that.
__________________
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
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 06:55 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Utah
Posts: 26
Default

I am not sure if I lost out on a great deal or dodged a bullet. The seller agreed to sell for $4500, which is a pretty great price. They are in Las Vegas. They claimed they had a few interested parties, all offering the same amount but I was first. They said if I could get there first. then first come-first serve, which is fair. Being out of town the soonest I can drive to Vegas is late Friday night. They suggested a deposit hold it. She went over a long list of things they had checked out on the trailer, including checking out the wall where I feared water damage. Her explanations and demeanor were all good - except she could not seem to figure out what day today was. I offered $1600 deposit, she said $1500 to keep it even numbers and I would bring the remainder on Saturday. As I was putting the money into a online transfer to her husband (or Father's) bank account, I asked her for an email. She doesn't have one! Alarm #1 went off. Who doesn't have an email? I said, friend me on Facebook. She doesn't have a Facebook account. Alarm #2. She said she could have her daughter PM me on FB. I looked at her daughters account and it looks like the main thing her daughter does is sell big items like this? Wierd #3. I google mapped her home as per the bank Account address, and it is in fact the location of the trailer photos. Well that checked out.
Then, this is going to sound racist, but I Googled her name and it comes up as a Gypsy name and a bunch of scams related to the family name (not her's surname specifically). Okay, I have friends in Vegas who could check it out before I spend 12 hours and a hotel room cost...but based on the overspray (spray paint) on the tounge and the smooth explanation, I fear this was picked up, prettied up, and is being re-sold with a completely fabricated story behind it (her Dad is sick, one owner, selling for the family). Still might be great deal for someone. They may have fixed this all up, but I am skeptical. Here is the ad...
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...328685706.html
Delray is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 10:48 PM   #9
sam
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Niagara Falls,NY
Posts: 4,223
Default Glad you smelled a rat!!

I would never give a deposit before I saw the item for sale. Good think you did your research and were smarter than them and didn't get riped off. Don't be discouraged keep looking and one will come along with your name on it. If not this time of year then maybe in the spring.
sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 11:02 PM   #10
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,692
Default

It DOES seem pretty "dodgy". Glad you passed on it.

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2017, 11:23 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Utah
Posts: 26
Default

Yep. I'm in no hurry. Just checking out ones as they come up within 500 miles or so. I should have got the one in Wyoming from Frank, but was 1K shy at the time
Delray is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2017, 08:07 AM   #12
Site Team
 
Treeclimber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SWFL Bonita Springs/Andrews, NC
Posts: 1,264
Default

Jack, that strange vent you saw on the side appears behind the microwave on one of the interior pics. Could that be an open vent? Weird.
__________________

__________________
Treeclimber
2703 Tow Lite
2002 Escalade
Bonita Springs, Fl. &
Andrews, NC
Treeclimber is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×