Year and model? - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

gordonw2010 · 03-10-2011, 08:57 PM

I just got a Hi-Lo with no papers. I cannot find anything on the trailer to tell me year. I measured the lower body and it is 16ft. The upper body is about 18 1/2 ft and rear bumper to hitch is about 22 ft. Is this considered a 16 ft or 18 ft or 22ft. The dinete is forward, couch is on the left side, kitchen on the right. The door is on the rt side rear. It is a two axle.

Any help would be appreciated. I guess it is around the 80's by the colors inside...maybe 70's.. Any tips??

JMDoering · 03-10-2011, 09:27 PM

Hi Gordon,

Hi-Lo's are rated (for length) by the ball socket to rear bumper length. That would not include any accessories (like a spare tire carrier) on the bumper. So this gem is a 22 footer!

Not sure what year it is, but it looks to be in reasonable shape for a trailer that is potentially 25 plus years old.

Jim

gordonw2010 · 03-11-2011, 11:01 AM

Thanks Jim for the comeback....

gordon

vannooch · 03-11-2011, 02:42 PM

The wheel covers look like Ford wheel covers from the late 70"s.
My guess would be from the early 80"s
Look around for the 12v fuse block, my 93 has an identification sticker pasted to the face of the cover that is a match for the one that is usually on the outside.

retiredcamper47 · 03-11-2011, 04:03 PM

When you say "no papers", do you mean no manuals & instructions or no title? The info would be listed on the title if you got one.

Bob

gordonw2010 · 03-11-2011, 05:55 PM

No title. I got an owners manual, but it really does not tell what year or what model it is....??? I am going to check the fuse box 12 V to see if there is something there as was suggested.

Thanks for the comeback.
Gordon

JMDoering · 03-11-2011, 09:01 PM

Gordon,

Is there a stamped plate mounted on the hitch A-frame somewhere? Our 1969 has plate on the door side of said frame with pertinent info. die stamped into it (the VIN, among other things).

Also, look at the model or serial numbers on the appliances. Sometimes OEM's incorporate the manufacture month/year in those numbers. That wouldn't absolutely identify the year of your trailer, but would give you a clue.

Good luck,
Jim

gordonw2010 · 03-12-2011, 09:14 AM

Thanks Jim,
I can't even find the 12v fuse box! I see some kind of closed box up by the pump in the front but it has screws holding the cover??? what the heck.?
I opened about every compartment and under the couch and dinette seats but nothing. I would think it would be the normal fuse type setup like a car. I pulled out drawers checked the bathroom. ???? I will check the appliances for something. I found no plate up by the tongue. I did find some kind of number up by the side of the door, but it was something to do with Calif. housing numbers...............whatever that is. I may take that to the DMV and see if they have some info.
Thanks again
Gordon

retiredcamper47 · 03-12-2011, 09:51 AM

Gordon,

Some models had the 12v fuse box mounted on the inside wall of the wardrobe. If your wardrobe has a hinged top, try lifting it and looking there. The 12v fuse panel normally is black in color. Good luck.

Bob

retiredcamper47 · 03-12-2011, 09:54 AM

Gordon,

I forgot to add that the 12v fuse panel does have a cover. The fuses are not exposed like in a car.

Bob

vannooch · 03-12-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredcamper47

Gordon,

I forgot to add that the 12v fuse panel does have a cover. The fuses are not exposed like in a car.

Bob

On that cover is where the sticker is, mine is in the wardrobe but it is chrome. The sticker looks identical to the plate that Jim was talking about. It has all of the trailer information.

JMDoering · 03-12-2011, 11:01 AM

Gordon,

Older Hi-Lo's don't have a fuse box. Our 1969 was built with just two in-line fuses. Hah, the appliances all use pilot flames!

I'm not sure when Hi-Lo's became sophisticated enough to require a full fuse panel, but just be aware that yours could be one of the older ones. A hint might be if your trailer has separate DC interior coach lights and separate AC light fixtures that plug into outlets in your hanging cabinets. Then it would be an older version that probably doesn't have a fuse panel.

Interesting that at least as late as the 1960's trailers were built for dry camping and AC lights, etc. were an add-on feature that were stored in a cabinet until needed. We rented a winged Shasta in te early 60's that didn't even have DC lights...for lighting it had a single propane lamp installed over the table! Now its kind of the opposite with most trailers being poorly designed for dry camping and needing portable generators.

Please keep us posted on how it goes with titling and registration.

Jim

gordonw2010 · 03-18-2011, 11:13 PM

Hey, thanks for the help. I found the fuse box. inside the converter. wow,.

No luck on a stamped number on the front. or a plate. I have called the CHP to come out for an inspection and they can put a Vin number on it at that time they told me........maybe they will have a clue as to the year.
I am also going to check the appliances for some kind of clue also..........

Thanks to all the helpers.

Gordon

RichR · 03-19-2011, 10:23 AM

Try looking around on the frame on the tongue and battery area, there may be a VIN stamped into the metal. I have seen it on some other Hi-Lo trailers including ours.

gordonw2010 · 03-20-2011, 06:37 PM

Found the fuses, in the converter box.....................thanks.

robobd · 03-20-2011, 07:12 PM

under the front window shell,(on the outside) if there is a coiled cord going to the battery and wireing block from the top section to the botom section then it is pre 90. it looks from the picture that is after a 94 if that helps you. also, usually there are two places on the frame that serial numbers are stamped. If you are going to the dmv you will probably need a bill of sale or a lien against the camper for storage or repair to get a title or state restamping and title. I hope helps you!

gordonw2010 · 03-29-2011, 11:09 AM

thanks for the help, I ffound the fuses in the converter box.................uffff.

gordonw2010 · 03-29-2011, 11:13 AM

thanks for the tips. I have called the Calif Hwy Patrol CHP twice for someone to come out and check (or put on) some kind of registration......busy! That is what I was told to do from the local police. They said this is a regular procedure. I left a message --as I was told by a recording which said "we are busy and will call you in a couple of days." That was two weeks ago.........................what can I say! Calif!

possum6977 · 07-04-2014, 04:24 PM

i to have the same camper only diffrence is our door is in the front not the back. looks just like his but has the awning . the lower box is 16 ft so im getting mine is a 22 ft camper. im glad i joined this forum im getting alot of info here about my first camper . thank you so much for the info . by the way im mike and my wife is april we hope to get alot of good camping years out of our hi-lo i love the design and layout of hi-lo's .

Dee Tillotson · 07-05-2014, 12:09 PM

Gordon, sometimes previous owners tuck old registrations, old ownership papers, etc. in between the pages of the manual. Carefully flip those pages to determine if anything is there. Also, if a camper is taken off the road and is allowed to sit idle for a number of years, generally the registration will not be renewed with the DMV and the old owners will neglect to turn in the license plates. If the old license plate is still on the Hi-Lo, the DMV can trace that number and get you the VIN. May I ask how you obtained the Hi-Lo?

Dee