Damage To Top While Lifting - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Trblandy · 10-13-2020, 10:31 AM

Maybe this should be a new post, but this is where I will start.
I had a little accident recently when raising the top on the 2203T, something dropped into the rear section as it was going up. By the time I heard resistance and wood crunching, it was too late.
Here are some pictures, guessing the top section will have to come off the repair that area.
With that upper section rail splintered, is the trailer structurally sound to use and tow?
And thoughts on repair?
Thanks,
Tom

JackandJanet · 10-13-2020, 10:53 AM

Tom - I moved your post to its own new thread because it was not really related to the problem in the thread where you originally had it. You should get more interest in a thread of its own.

To begin with, I don't think you risk any additional damage by moving the trailer in this condition (with the top down of course). I don't believe it's structural at all - I think it's just cosmetic.

To repair it, I'd try to remove that trim strip with the top on, (possibly lowered just a bit to get it away from the "lip" on the lower half) and maybe remove the inner trim strip on the lower half to gain further access. As you work on it, you'll see how it was attached. It may be glued.

I've replaced an inner trim strip on my HiLo with a length of hardwood I bought at Home Depot that seemed a near perfect match, both for appearance and for width and thickness. I suspect you could do the same here. Again, it may give you better access to work on it with the top partially down.

- Jack

Trblandy · 10-20-2020, 05:11 AM

Well, I got a good look at the top rail and cap last weekend, the top rail is rotted away as shown in picture 3. (Black wood at the top of picture).
Does anyone know a way to repair it, looks to me like the top section will have to detach for the repair.
The wood appears to be a thick plywood, about 1.5” thick attached to solid core lumber. I’m thinking once the top is off, I’ll possibly find similar damage on other areas.
Would be great if someone could give me some direction.
Thanks, Tom

jjharris11 · 10-21-2020, 12:35 PM

Hey, Tom. That rotten wood is unfortunately common on these trailers, from what I've been able to tell. I'm in the middle of rebuilding the entire top half of mine now. Mine is a 1989--not sure what year yours is, or how different it is from mine. But it appears the cap on your upper half is glued in place--mine was held to the plywood with screws. So, there could be other differences.

That said, on mine, the plywood is 2 pieces of 3/4" ply sandwiched together. That sandwich is screwed to the walls from the side. So, yes, you'd have to separate the halves in order to get to it and replace it. Also, the wiring to the back of the trailer is housed in a groove in this plywood sandwich.

As far as I know, the most likely way for that to have gotten damaged is a window or roof leak... Which means you likely have some wall panel damage as well.

There are some products made to "repair" rotted wood. Think bondo. It probably depends on how extensive the damage is as to whether that would be a good option for you vs. replacing the wood. I think you'll have to make that call, based on how bad it is, how particular you are about it, and your appetite for expense/effort.

I'm sure if I've gone off track on any of this, some of the more experienced forum members will set me straight. Just my two cents.

Good luck!

sam · 10-21-2020, 09:53 PM

The advice you have been given is spot on. The halves have to be broken apart to get at the rail for repairs. The cable replacement doccument tells how to do this with 2x4's at the corners. Mark your bolts between the wheels with a magic marker. That way when you put the cables back in place it will be easy. Break the halves apart and this will determine the extent of damage. Have you taken out all the windows out and resealed? If you have wall damage i can give you more direction in repairing this. Do you have a garage to work on this in the cold rainy weather?