roof a c - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Billt · 04-24-2012, 11:53 PM

I am thinking of buying a "Hilow towLite 18' 1998 year. I had older model in the mid 80's realy loved the way it pulled but we out grew it. Kids are grown & have flown the coop and my wife passed away last summer. I anticipate lots of travel trips next couple of years. I have found one I like but it does not have a roof A C. and my child hood allergies are back and at certain times of the year I almost have to have A C. With the slide up and down body do not see any simple way to put a small house unit in a window?? Does any one know if it was pre-wired from the factory for a roof unit and where to find the wires if it is pre-wired?

JMDoering · 04-25-2012, 01:07 AM

Hi Bill,
Not sure about A/C prewiring, but a word of caution. There has been considerable discussion in the HTF regarding the quality of Towlites manufactured during the late 90's. Apparently Hi-Lo, to save weight, or cost, built those Towlites with all wood frames in the upper half. Some are now experiencing wood rot issues and therefore lifting problems.
Recommend you search the HTF library and study up on that topic before buying. Somewhere around 2001 Hi-Lo went back to a metal frame in that model line.
Jim

RichR · 04-25-2012, 08:12 AM

I believe that The Towlite switched to the metal frame in 1999. It is shown in the 1999 brochure. The Towlites were prewired for A/C. Look in the bathroom area for a plastic hatch cover, there should be a 20 amp plug and cord stuffed in there. Nearby to that there should be a 20 amp receptacle, some times they are in an out of the way spot. It has to be plugged in after the top is raised, and more importantly, unplugged before putting the top down.

bugman · 04-25-2012, 09:31 AM

I have a 98 tow lite. I had to rebuild the upper walls and I can tell you for sure , it has a metal frame top and bottom. It is a well built trailer.
I did talk to a fellow member a while back that was rebuilding his upper walls and he said his had wood walls. I would check it with a magnet maybe.

RichR · 04-25-2012, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugman

I have a 98 tow lite. I had to rebuild the upper walls and I can tell you for sure , it has a metal frame top and bottom. It is a well built trailer.
I did talk to a fellow member a while back that was rebuilding his upper walls and he said his had wood walls. I would check it with a magnet maybe.

Maybe we will get what year they made the switch to metal nailed down. It would be important to many prospective buyers to know. I will have to ask my dealer friend, I'm sure he knows. He has lived through many Hilo problems.

JMDoering · 04-25-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugman

I have a 98 tow lite. I had to rebuild the upper walls and I can tell you for sure , it has a metal frame top and bottom. It is a well built trailer.
I did talk to a fellow member a while back that was rebuilding his upper walls and he said his had wood walls. I would check it with a magnet maybe.

Hi Bug,
Was your frame aluminum or steel? Our 1969's frame was all steel, but on the other hand, our 2004 Towlite upper frame is aluminum. Nice for the weight savings, but impossible to find with a magnet!

Jim

bugman · 04-25-2012, 08:22 PM

It is steel. As a matter of fact we had to replace some rusted out areas. I posted some pics awhile back of the rebuilding process. I'll see if I can find the post. Seems like it was titled ladder for drop down bunk. My sticker on the trailer says it was made Feb. 98.