Top Halve Creep

Angel-HILO · Sep 14, 2023

Hello everyone,
I have a very slow Top Halve Creep, trailer will stay up in its full extended height for about 3 days...then it settles on the safety bar. I have tried the bleeding method suggested by a forum member but it didn't make much of a difference. I have followed and checked all the lines underneath camper and I did not find or notice any hydraulic leaks. I suspect a small internal seal leak in the Hydraulic Cylinder (Ram).
HiLo use transmission fluid, so I was wondering if anyone has ever tried adding an automatic transmission sealer/conditioner to the HiLo hydraulic system to seal and stop small leaks? I suspect that the internal seals of my (1989 HiLo) hydraulics have become dry and hardened.

JackandJanet · Sep 14, 2023

The conditioners MAY work, but I'm somewhat afraid of them. I think if it were my trailer, I'd just activate the lift motor every 3 days to raise the top back up. The "settling" could correct itself with use. What you describe sounds a very slow leak.

- Jack

DunhamsDen · Sep 15, 2023

Isn't the "Safety Bar" actually a "Resting Bar" to be the desired location for the top half? It removes the stress from the hydraulic system. Why would you want to keep that pressure on the hydraulic system?

JackandJanet · Sep 15, 2023

Dunham - NO, it's not a "Resting Bar". It's a device to keep the top half from falling upon you when you are inside the trailer. The Owner's manual says to "Test that the safety bar is engaged by lowering the top on to it", but then you are supposed to raise the top again to its uppermost position, off the safety bar. I think it's possible the safety bar can become bent or otherwise distorted if the top rests on it.

There's actually no stress on the hydraulic system with the top up. There IS tension on the cables, and pressure in the ram, but those devices are built for that.

- Jack

DunhamsDen · Sep 15, 2023

I stand corrected.

Thank you.

rabird · Sep 25, 2023

I would not try any sealant or leak stop.
Inside the reservoir is a oil take tube which has a mesh fine screen to keep stuff out of the pump. I would suspect this screen would get clogged from leak stop.
AFIK, and bleed off will eventually return to the reservoir via the 'return' line.

Top Halve Creep

Angel-HILO

Senior Member

JackandJanet

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DunhamsDen

Advanced Member

JackandJanet

Senior Member

DunhamsDen

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rabird

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