Lift System

WA

wansorl

Member
Joined
May 8, 2020
Messages
16
Location
Jensen Beach FL
Went on our first camping trip that turned out to be a disaster. Got to the campsite went to raise the lift system and it went up about 2" and stayed there. The motor kept running and Battery power was fine. Any ideas?
 
That sounds like a leak or low hydraulic fluid. My guess is a leak past the seals that keeps it from transferring pressure to the lift ram. I'm sorry for your disappointment! Hope you didn't travel far.

We had a similar experience early in our trailer ownership when the cords separated on our trailer tires about 45 miles into a camping trip with our Grandkids. It was a big letdown.

- Jack
 
We where 4 hours from home. We went back home that day couldn't find a hotel turns out it was scallop season and every place was full up. I wondered why we got the last camp site.
Thanks for the info.
Lee
 
I think Treeclimber has some experience with rebuilding the hydraulic system. He'll probably be along to give you some genuinely expert advice as opposed to my guesses.

- Jack
 
First check to make sure the tank has enough fluid to raise our unit. If problem persists look under RV to make sure cables are connected. Good luck letus know what you find.
 
Similar Question

I have a similar Question: our trailer will go almost all the way up, it's about two inches from the top, where it needs to be. Any idea why it only goes up that far? It just started doing this within the last month. Prior to that, there was no problem.
Thank you!
Amy
QUOTE=JackandJanet;50553]That sounds like a leak or low hydraulic fluid. My guess is a leak past the seals that keeps it from transferring pressure to the lift ram. I'm sorry for your disappointment! Hope you didn't travel far.

We had a similar experience early in our trailer ownership when the cords separated on our trailer tires about 45 miles into a camping trip with our Grandkids. It was a big letdown.

- Jack[/QUOTE]
 
Amy, YOU may have low hydraulic fluid. Check it with the top down. It should be within 1 to 1/2" from the top in the reservoir. Use a bent straw or something similar as a "dipstick".

- Jack
 
We have had a problem finding an outfit to service the lift problem with our camper. I found a Mobile RV guy to come out the other day. He spent about 10 minutes looking at the trailer only to tell me that the Hydraulic cylinder had to be repacked. He then gave me a bill for $200.00 and said that he doesn't have the time to take the cylinder out but would reschedule the following day to take it out but he doesn't repair hydraulic cylinders. I am sure that would cost another $200.00 at which time i would have to find someone to repack the cylinder at what cost i have no idea. Once that is done he would come back to reinstall the cylinder probably for another $200.00
Long story short i found a RV dealer 2 hours away that seems to be very legit and could do the whole job. I will let you know the cost next week when I take it in.
Lee
 
Yes, Amy - The original fluid in the reservoir is Dexron II, and that's what the HiLo manuals call for. However, I don't think you can find it anymore. Dexron III, IV, and V are acceptable substitutes and can be added to the existing fluid without causing problems. I've found Dexron III online.

DO NOT use Dexron VI (6). It has big differences from the others (in viscosity I think) and it should NOT be used in our HiLo's hydraulic lift system.

- Jack
 
JackandJanet said:
Yes, Amy - The original fluid in the reservoir is Dexron II, and that's what the HiLo manuals call for. However, I don't think you can find it anymore. Dexron III, IV, and V are acceptable substitutes and can be added to the existing fluid without causing problems. I've found Dexron III online.

DO NOT use Dexron VI (6). It has big differences from the others (in viscosity I think) and it should NOT be used in our HiLo's hydraulic lift system.

- Jack
Click to expand...
Thank you so much Jack! I will give my husband this information! I appreciate your help!
Amy
 
wansorl, at the top of the opening page, click the "search" header, type in "cylinder removal". There is a step by step procedure. Any reputable hydraulic shop can rebuild and pressure test the cylinder to 2600 psi using Dextron 3 thru 5 ATF. Cost me about $200. then I reinstalled. Works great years later.
Tree
 
Not going up

My 1995 tow-lite will not raise more than a few inches. I redid the cable system and took on a 10 day trip, not troubles. 2 weeks later, took out for the weekend and it worked perfectly until I got home and tried to raise it. The reservoir has enough fluid and I put a brand new solenoid on. Cut there be a loose screw backed out of one of the tracks?
 
michael - You're not telling us enough. Does the lift motor keep running when it stops raising? If the motor stops, you most likely have a low battery in the trailer. Charge it fully and then see if the top will raise.

Do you have the manual lift option? If you do, will it raise the top?

If the motor runs, and the top doesn't raise, and if the manual lift won't raise it, is the manual lowering switch partially open? And, is the normal lowering switch fully closed? If it's stuck partially open by dirt or other debris in the hydraulic fluid, it acts like a leaky hydraulic system.

If the top lowers and then raises to the same point with the motor running, you COULD have something binding in the system.

- Jack
 
lift system

Thank you Jack. I do not have the manual lever on this one. I have checked the cables and pullies and they are clear. Years ago I had a different Tow-lite and got stuck because a guiderail screw had backed out. I'm have a hard time checking because the top wouldn't go up far enough for me to be able to look down from inside.
 
I haven't had this problem but my wife asked me what would happen if the doors in the upper half sprung open while we were traveling with the top lowered? I'm guessing the same thing, so I installed extra latches for the upper doors. Just a thought. Beach
 
Sorry I am just getting back to you. Thanks for your input. As it turns out I had an RV outfit fix the Hydraulic Cylinder. Knock wood it well not be a problem anymore.
 
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