What did you do to your HiLo Today? - Page 4 - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Luckydog671 · 07-12-2014, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

If any bug can fly up there while that noisy fan is going it is a better bug than I.....

I hear that!

The previous owner told me to make sure I kept the little plastic door latched while traveling because it will be swingin' and rattlin' the whole trip. It's now an item on my checklist.

charlie b · 07-12-2014, 11:47 AM

Well, this was a 3 day project. I don't have access to the tools I used to have so every project takes days longer.
I have had this Towlite for 2 years and all ways thought the spare tire hanging out was a liability. I removed the arm the tire bolts to, using my sawsall, ground the upright smooth where the cut was made and had my son weld a piece of 11 gauge 2 1/2 square tubing to it. The tubing slides down over the upright and I drilled a i/2 inch hole through all 4 layers and inserted a 1/2 inch bolt with a holle in the end for a pad lock. The key will remain in the trailer until a need arises. I can mount the spare as original to unbolt the tire, then bolt it back on, slide it up, and rotate it 180 degrees. It clears the top by 1 1/2 inches when it is lowered.

Next project is to make the rear storage trays accessible when the top is lowered. You can't open this one unless it is up, which means re-raising the top at the dump stations on the way out just to get to the hose.

(after new bulb seals and sealing all the joints.)

Garry · 07-12-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie b

Well, this was a 3 day project. I don't have access to the tools I used to have so every project takes days longer.
I have had this Towlite for 2 years and all ways thought the spare tire hanging out was a liability. I removed the arm the tire bolts to, using my sawsall, ground the upright smooth where the cut was made and had my son weld a piece of 11 gauge 2 1/2 square tubing to it. The tubing slides down over the upright and I drilled a i/2 inch hole through all 4 layers and inserted a 1/2 inch bolt with a holle in the end for a pad lock. The key will remain in the trailer until a need arises. I can mount the spare as original to unbolt the tire, then bolt it back on, slide it up, and rotate it 180 degrees. It clears the top by 1 1/2 inches when it is lowered.

Next project is to make the rear storage trays accessible when the top is lowered. You can't open this one unless it is up, which means re-raising the top at the dump stations on the way out just to get to the hose.

(after new bulb seals and sealing all the joints.)

Lookin good Charlie. When you redo the storage lid were you planning on a two or three piece lid so you don't have to remove the spare tire? When I had my 1999 21T I made a new front lid so I could access the batteries with the top down. If everyone within this forum could get together and build a Hi Lo, I bet we would end up with one cherry trailer.

charlie b · 07-12-2014, 01:36 PM

I'm figuring a 3 piece, with no opening under the tire. It is really hard to justify carrying a spare, this one is the original and never been on the ground, however, I bought 5 new tires so I will carry the spare. ( I hope I get 20 years without the new one on the ground)

Luckydog671 · 07-12-2014, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie b

I'm figuring a 3 piece, with no opening under the tire. It is really hard to justify carrying a spare, this one is the original and never been on the ground, however, I bought 5 new tires so I will carry the spare. ( I hope I get 20 years without the new one on the ground)

I know what you mean Charlie about justifying the spare. I just bought 5 tires myself but if I ever get a flat, I'll be glad I bought it.

Nice job on the mod! I've seen that some of the older models had the spare under the A frame in front which I think is a better spot, at least until you have to crawl under there to retrieve it.

charlie b · 07-12-2014, 06:34 PM

I had to crawl under a new Ford truck to get the spare after having snow tires mounted. one failed. there was 8 inches of snow...I don't want to crawl under for a tire any more.

Charlie

sam · 07-13-2014, 12:35 AM

Maybe protect your back window with bubble wrap..Especially where the tire is so close. A new window costs $600.00 plus tax. That quote was from a few yrs. ago.

charlie b · 07-13-2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam

Maybe protect your back window with bubble wrap..Especially where the tire is so close. A new window costs $600.00 plus tax. That quote was from a few yrs. ago.

If that tire moves that inch and a half, or the top moves the inch and a half, there will be more to worry about than the window. Tempered glass is very hard to break, I once slammed a cement block into a side glass on a car and it didn't break(please, you don't want to know why

).

Dee Tillotson · 07-13-2014, 02:16 PM

Charlie B, regarding "thought the spare tire hanging out was a liability." Quite the contrary. When you back your Hi-Lo and mistakenly don't see that tree or other immovable object, that tire "hanging out" becomes a bouncy buffer between your expensive-to-replace camper bumper and fiberglass cap. Regarding the appearance, purchase a nice looking fabric tire cover say from Camping World, and you will be in vogue with all the other classy campers on the road. If you are worried about someone stealing the tire when storing the camper off site, just take the tire home with you.

When dear husband needs to get in the bumper storage, he just raises the Hi-Lo a little and gets what he needs. He never stores sewage hoses in there; he did a mod by buying a square PVC fence post with end caps at Lowes and attaching it underneath and to the rear of the bumper; the caps should be attached and hang from a chain or anything else you have handy while utilizing the sewer hose.

Dee

Dee Tillotson · 07-13-2014, 02:21 PM

Charlie B, the reason we don't store the hoses in the bumper is because the bumper will start to rust out from the wet hoses; that won't happen when storing in a PVC fence post.

Dee

charlie b · 07-13-2014, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee Tillotson

Charlie B, the reason we don't store the hoses in the bumper is because the bumper will start to rust out from the wet hoses; that won't happen when storing in a PVC fence post.

Dee

Good idea Dee. This rear storage area is made of 2x4's and heavy plywood. I intend to remove all of this and replace with lighter materials that are waterproof, and put real waterproof doors on it. I haven;t designed them yet but I do have some ideas. I will post it when I get to it. I figure y the time I get the bulb seal replaced, and the windows, lights, and moldings all sealed I may have an empty energy plate. We need one trip at least this year.

campthewestcoast · 07-13-2014, 08:28 PM

Here is my rear trunk storage on my 2206 towlite, http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f35/trunk-storage-3359/

Luckydog671 · 07-15-2014, 04:22 PM

Got my Lexel yesterday so re-sealed the front end cap on the curbside, which had come loose. Goo Gone and a blade worked well to clean off the old stuff- thanks Les for the suggestion. Raised up the top half and finished up inspecting the remaining exterior seals.

I cut four 10" x 10" stabilizer jack pads out of some 3/4" plywood I had leftover from a project and am now in the process of painting them with Kilz.

Tomorrow I'll be sanitizing the FW tank and sealing up the kitchen countertops and bathroom with silicon sealant.

Gearing up for a trial campout at our little community campground next week. I still need to take the trailer down to a level parking lot so I can get the hitchin' part right!

Luckydog671 · 07-21-2014, 09:05 AM

Today I'll be going through my (quite lengthy) "Preparing for a Trip" checklist and hitching up the trailer in preparation for a trial overnighter tomorrow.

Dee Tillotson · 07-21-2014, 01:16 PM

Greg, what we did back in 2009 when we purchased our new Hi-Lo from the factory was to divide and organize the items on the checklist first by inside and then outside tasks and then second put each checklist in a practical sequence for 1) setting up camp and 2) breaking camp.

Dee

Garry · 07-21-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckydog671

Today I'll be going through my (quite lengthy) "Preparing for a Trip" checklist and hitching up the trailer in preparation for a trial overnighter tomorrow.

Wal-Mart parking lot?

Dee Tillotson · 07-21-2014, 01:55 PM

Greg, we did forget a few things on our first trip which we later added to our list. On the outside, we forgot to turn off the gas tank when we broke camp. On my Hi-Lo, there is an automatic cut off of the gas if we forget, so no damage there; half way down the road we remembered, stopped, and cut the gas off at the tank. That went on our outside checklist.

On the inside of the camper (I believe we have the same floor plan.), we forgot to snap the bathroom half door shut (It just flaps around in transit and eventually damages the door.); we did not bungee-cord shut the bottom cabinet drawers (Even though there are notches for the drawers to sit in, they jump out and into the floor in transit.); and we did not have the kitchen faucet centered when bringing down the roof (However, no damage there as the faucet bearly squeaked by.). All those things went on our inside checklist.

Dee

notanlines · 07-21-2014, 05:29 PM

Good one, Garry! Lord knows we have all been waiting on Gregg's first outing.....(Yep, Gregg, we're having a little fun at your expense)

Luckydog671 · 07-21-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee Tillotson

Greg, we did forget a few things on our first trip which we later added to our list. On the outside, we forgot to turn off the gas tank when we broke camp. On my Hi-Lo, there is an automatic cut off of the gas if we forget, so no damage there; half way down the road we remembered, stopped, and cut the gas off at the tank. That went on our outside checklist.

On the inside of the camper (I believe we have the same floor plan.), we forgot to snap the bathroom half door shut (It just flaps around in transit and eventually damages the door.); we did not bungee-cord shut the bottom cabinet drawers (Even though there are notches for the drawers to sit in, they jump out and into the floor in transit.); and we did not have the kitchen faucet centered when bringing down the roof (However, no damage there as the faucet bearly squeaked by.). All those things went on our inside checklist.

Dee

Thanks for the tips, Dee. I hadn't thought of using bungee cords to secure the drawers. I figure my list is work in progress, at least until I get few trips under my belt!

Luckydog671 · 07-21-2014, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garry

Wal-Mart parking lot?

Funny, Garry! No, since the nearest Wal*Mart is about 40 miles away we won't be heading there. We have a little community campground about 3 miles and 1,200 ft. below us down a steep, twisty road that we are going to try out overnight. Hopefully my brake controller is set up right as this will be the first time taking her down the hill!

The campground is free to residents so can't beat the price! In fact, guests can stay pretty cheaply so if any of ya'll are ever driving through the Tehachapi area and need a place to park for the night, let me know! It's much quieter than our local Love's truck stop.