Hi everyone,
I’m having trouble finding someone in or near Alabama who can replace the cables on my 2008
18 ft Hilo.
Any suggestions????

You aint too far from TREE he's either in Florida or NC.....He KNOWS...and or can do.Im sure he will chime in.

Great!
I’m new on here and I just bought this camper so I really want to get it fixed!

Hi Tammy - welcome to the HiLo family! Treeclimber is certainly a member who knows how to help you with your request, but I have to ask, why do you want to REPLACE your cables? Have you inspected them and found them to be rusted or frayed? The reason I ask, is because my 2007 trailer still has its original cables and they are fine. Cables can last virtually forever if they are maintained properly.

I moved your thread out of "Intros", because I thought you'd get better help here.

Hang in there - I'm sure someone will be along shortly with the help you need.

- Jack

__________________
Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System, SoftStartRV mounted on A/C
2024 F150 Platinum FX4 3.5L PowerBoost SCrew

Thank you Jack!
I have a cable that is frayed!
I heard a little pop sound when I was raising the top...
luckily I stopped and noticed the cable was about to break so I was able to lower it down.

OK, yes - that's a reason to replace at least that one cable. It's not too hard to do, if you're at all "handy" with repairing things. The most difficult part is getting the cables in the first place. J&R repair in Ohio will sell you a set or possibly just one. You'd have to contact them and ask. Here's a link to their homepage: Home - JR REPAIR People HAVE been known to make their own cables too - the only tricky part is attaching the cables to the adjusting bolts.

Once you have the cables, you just have to feed them along the routes used by the old ones. This is probably best done with the top UP, since you will need to be inside the trailer to route the cable over the final pulley on the lower half. To gain access to this pulley, you will need to remove the trim strip inside at the top of the lower half. It's easy, it's just held on by several screws.

Once you have the top up, you would lower it onto 4-2x4s that are cut to the same length that are placed between the "outriggers" (the things the top rests on when it's down) and the top, so there is slack in the cables. They can then be removed and replaced, one at a time.

If you think the cable might have enough left in it to raise the top, then raise it hydraulically. Otherwise, you'd need something like a farm jack to lift that portion while you incrementally lift the rest hydraulically. The top doesn't need to be ALL the way up, just far enough for you to work inside comfortably - so that would govern the length of your 2x4s.

I've possibly confused you with all this. Treeclimber is out of town right now and has no access to the forum. He should be back in a few days to help clear things up.

- Jack

Thank you!
I have a guy that is doing the work for me...
he is going to call midget rv so hopefully we are on the right track.
Thank you so much!!

Midget RV is also a good source for cables, I think. Glad you have someone to help you.

In reading another thread recently, I saw where one member compared the maintenance of a trailer (any trailer) to a "hobby". It's certainly been that way with me and mine. There's always something that needs fixing, or improvement. Trailer ownership is definitely not a "use and forget" proposition.

- Jack

Tammy, glad to hear things are working for you. There is a great sense of relief after replacing cables, and with proper maintenance you'll most likely never do it again. Cables and the seal are the toughest tasks, I think. As Jack says, it is kinda like a hobby. I'm always looking for something to do on mine, it's like a get-a-way, in the drivway. Over time, my DSO and I have completely re-done the interior, fabrics, bamboo flooring, curtains and painted walls, you name it. Best is living in it when you can.
Tree

__________________
Treeclimber
2703 Tow Lite
2002 Escalade
Bonita Springs, Fl. &
Andrews, NC

I have one broken cable and am reading about replacing it on this site. Of course it is Saturday evening now so I haven't attempted to contact anyone about cable or other parts. Jack indicated I should contact J R Repairs in Ohio. I am in Colorado and would expect a couple of weeks for delivery with the present state of our nation. In lieu of JR what size cable, how much length and what other items are required for replacing and reconnecting a cable ? Where else would I begin looking for these items or would it be worth the wait ?

I spend time beneath my 1509 every year checking whatever I can and have never seen any fraying of any cables prior to this situation. Today I have someone interested in purchasing my Hi Lo but seeing this problem for the first time I said I need to repair it before selling.

I have been lucky that both HiLo's that I have owned never had a broken cable. Reference this fifteen page document on cable replacement. I highly recommend J&R for cable parts. 3-3.2010 Cable replacement in my 1998 HiLo 24TD. I agree with Treeclimber that the biggest jobs are cable replacement and seal replacement. My friend had to replace cables in two of his HiLO,S. He claims you get to invent some new words!! Best of luck with your rep[airs.

Sam, thanks for your input. This morning ( Sunday) Rob from JR emailed me, I may order the cable and it will be shipped tomorrow. I will remove the trim to check other cables prior to ordering.

I do have difficulty maneuvering around this site and have not located the fifteen page document on cable replacement which I expect to be very useful. Can you direct me to this document ?

I suspect the document is in the library which I have not yet located. Can you also assist me with how to find this area of the forum ?

Thanks in advance. Richard

Sam, I located and printed the fifteen pages which I will read and reread before working on this project. Thanks for your direction.

I am very challenged when it comes to computers. My excuse is that I didn,t grow up with computers. Perhaps someone can provide a link.

No worries I located what I needed. I remember when we go a dial phone so the operator could not listen to every conversation. I took typing class on a manual typewriter and did not get a computer until I retired in 2010. I still use a 'flip' phone but have a tablet which I use primarily for photos but am slowly learning other skills. My children and everyone else tell me I need an iPhone. An FBI agent working in electronic communications says the flip phone is safer than an iPhone and Alexa (?) records all conversations. I know this is not directly related to the Forum but I do believe some others are also in our situation.