Replacing bulb seal, adjusting lift cables-Am I insane for attempting this? Any tips? - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

bshetts · 04-21-2015, 12:03 PM

I have a 2001 1901TL that needs a new bulb seal and the lift cables adjusted.

Question #1 - A friend of mine (very talented repair/general fix it type guy with every tool imaginable) and myself (somewhat handy) are going to attempt to replace the bulb seal and adjust the lift cable, check the blocks, et. Am I insane for attempting this or should I just bite the bullet and pay the $1,200 to have it done?

Question #2 - When the trailer is in the up position should the wood trim on the top half and the bottom half be flush all around the interior of the trailer? ( I have an approximately 1" difference between the height of the trim on the upper half and the lower half with the upper half being lower)

Question #3 - If the answer to Question #2 is yes, is this a cable adjustment issue or is it a different problem?

THANKS!!!

RichR · 04-21-2015, 12:18 PM

Having the bulb seal properly making contact is the important thing. The rail matching on the inside is strictly cosmetic. With luck both may come together once properly adjusted.

JackandJanet · 04-21-2015, 12:27 PM

Regarding question #2, I support what Rich said exactly. In my trailer, the rear portion tends to match up, but the front portion does not. The rail on the top half is about 3/4 inch below the rail on the bottom half in front. However, the bulb seal is snug all around.

Checking the blocks and adjusting the lift cables is very easy. Just don't shorten the lift cables more than needed to make the blub seal "seal". If you do, you can cause damage to the top half where the cables connect or, you might break the cables or pulleys.

Replacing the bulb seal is a much more complicated task. Look for some posts on in in this forum. I think you have to lift the top clear of the bottom half to do it, but I could be wrong.

- Jack

sam · 04-21-2015, 09:19 PM

Here are a couple post that would be helpful.4-3-2010 Replacing the roof gasket. Sam Shields if a retired HiLo service manager. The second one is Cable replacement in My 1998 HiLo24TD 3-3-2010. It has pictures to show how the two by fours are placed and used to separate the halves. Have fun with your repairs.

marininn · 12-29-2017, 12:18 PM

Is there any reason a replacement bulb seal has to be located inside the wall?
Trailer repairs already taken too much of my time…

I am thinking of putting a bulb type seal below the top. It would touch the sides instead of sealing against the trim.
Other than maybe getting dirty more I don't see why not. Much easier to access and install.

I have another "seal" idea I will mention later…

JackandJanet · 12-29-2017, 01:35 PM

Marininn - That SHOULD work, and yes, it would be much easier to install. It would not seal quite as "tightly", of course as the original design, but I don't see why it would not be satisfactory.

Another member, maestro123 talked about applying a garage door sweep along the bottom edge of the top half, which would probably also work about the same as what you are considering.

Anything that keeps bugs at bay and reduces drafts/dirt infiltration is the goal. It does not hurt to try these approaches.

- Jack

r67northern · 12-30-2017, 03:11 PM

I actually decided to leave parts of the damaged original seal in place when i was thinking about this same problem and go with the garage door 'sweep' attached to the lower part of the frame. I'm telling myself this is better because the trailer has the original, not as good as it should be seal, and now a newer seal that is closer to the road and able to keep more grime out.

marininn · 01-09-2018, 08:01 PM

Any pics of the door sweep?

r67northern · 01-10-2018, 09:26 AM

Here's a quick shot of the door sweep. I have it screwed into the bottom, but also put some gorilla glue (construction adhesive kind) that attaches everything to everything just to give it the best shot possible. I like this glue for some applications like this because it does not require a porous surface to adhere.

Sorry about the image quality, it was dark early this morning when I took the shots.

Treeclimber · 01-10-2018, 02:12 PM

Looks like it'll work. sure saves a lot of time. Long term mod!
Tree

Angel · 08-31-2021, 01:49 AM

Hello r67northern, I know this is an old post; but can you please tell me, does the garage sweep that you are using as a substitute for the original bulb seal; does it try to catch or does it hang up on the bottom trim of the lower section where it is supposed to seal when in the down position. Thanks.

r67northern · 08-31-2021, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel

Hello r67northern, I know this is an old post; but can you please tell me, does the garage sweep that you are using as a substitute for the original bulb seal; does it try to catch or does it hang up on the bottom trim of the lower section where it is supposed to seal when in the down position. Thanks.

Hello Angel - I've had these on the trailer for a few years now and they're doing pretty well. When it's traveling up or down, it can "roll over" itself a bit on the sliding end, but it doesn't seem to catch on much. It's biggest complaint seems to be traversing the water heater grating over on the sink side. Even then, it just makes some noise.

When it rolls over the gray colored-molding that is where the bulb seal rests it makes some noise then too, but then goes back to sliding pretty well. All in all, so far so good. Let me know if you have any other questions.

-Leland

Usagi5678 · 08-31-2021, 09:20 PM

Do you get any dirt in the HiLo after you take it out on the road.? We did our 1990 seal replacement. Not perfect as far as dirt after traveling. Even the seal by J&r lets in a slight film of dirt. Still love our HiLo no matter what!! Have gone camping four times this year.

JackandJanet · 08-31-2021, 11:57 PM

If we drive over dirt roads, there's quite a bit of dust inside the trailer. Not too much though if we stay on paved roads.

- Jack

Angel · 09-01-2021, 09:22 PM

Hello r67northern, thanks for your reply, I have a couple more questions about the garage door sweep that you used; I know it's been years since you installed it, but would you remember the brand or item/part number used? Did you get it at HD, Lowe's, or elsewhere? And also did it come with screws to attach it? I know some come with nails but I don't know if nails can be used on the underside of top halve. Also on the pictures you posted it looks like you used screws with large washers, then smaller screws in between, Thanks.

r67northern · 09-02-2021, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel

Hello r67northern, thanks for your reply, I have a couple more questions about the garage door sweep that you used; I know it's been years since you installed it, but would you remember the brand or item/part number used? Did you get it at HD, Lowe's, or elsewhere? And also did it come with screws to attach it? I know some come with nails but I don't know if nails can be used on the underside of top halve. Also on the pictures you posted it looks like you used screws with large washers, then smaller screws in between, Thanks.

Hi Angel

I “think” it was a Lowe’s item and it probably took two of them. I cut it out to fit around the slides on the trailer walls so it doesn’t bind there. Now, since I had previously removed the metal covers that are over that long wood beam on the bottom of the top section, it was fairly easy to use some of the nails that they included in the kit to hold the sweep in place. Then I went back over with some additional screws to help out.

If I had the original metal covers still in place, I would probably apply some of the Gorilla glue caulk (which I also used) and then, working with a partner, get some holding screws in place and then go back and fill in the gaps. I would assume the nails wouldn’t be happy going through the metal cover on that beam, even though it is then gauge.

Also - I haven’t noticed much dirt intrusion … but I haven’t gone down gravel roads either so I haven’t stressed it too much.

Hope that helps,
Leland

Usagi5678 · 09-02-2021, 11:09 PM

It is much better if two people work on this job. It is hard to roll and hold a length of material. We don't go down dirt roads. When you get to your campsite do a test for dirt. Wipe a small section of wood/trim with your favorite cleaner.I wait to do a cleaning until I am packing up to leave.