New here - need HiLo weight info

FI

fish56

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
17
Hello all,
I'm going to look at a 1998 HiLo 24T Towlite trailer tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what the trailer weighs dry and loaded? What tongue weight would I be expecting? It does not include a weight distributing hitch, so I need to find out what I have to buy to get her home safe, if I choose to buy. The trailer has electric brakes, so I'd have to add a controller to my truck.
Thank you,
Bill
 
fish56 said:
Hello all,
I'm going to look at a 1998 HiLo 24T Towlite trailer tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what the trailer weighs dry and loaded? What tongue weight would I be expecting? It does not include a weight distributing hitch, so I need to find out what I have to buy to get her home safe, if I choose to buy. The trailer has electric brakes, so I'd have to add a controller to my truck.
Thank you,
Bill
Click to expand...

I have a 2404Tand here are the specs out of the manual. Hitch weight-520, Axle weight-3700, UVW-4220, NCC-1780,GVWR-6000, GAWR-3500/3500, Coupler height-26 1/2". Optional equipment adds additional weight, i.e. awning,loft bed, A/C. I towed mine with just a reciever hitch and it did fine when I brought it home about 40ish miles. I added the brake controller, which is required on all trailers weighing over 1500. I took it on a trip with the reciever hitch 440 milesround trip and it did fine. The manual does say that equalizing hitches improve towing stability and should be used on all Hi-Lo trailer models. It also recommends the use of a sway control device. I have a Curt WDH and sway controller but have yet to use it. Hope that helps you out.
 
When I bought our 95 T 21ft. I wanted a light weight trailer, researched it and found that it weighted around 2500lbs with accessories, it seemed to check out with the tag that was on the trailer and the manual. After I bought it I asked the dealer what it weighted, got out his book and said close to 3400 lbs. I wasn't happy, so I took it and had it weight and it was exactly 3400 lbs. dry weight with accessories, I called HI-LO and complained about their information be wrong, can't remember what they told me but it wasn't a good answer.
The point I am trying to make is they did correct this problem but don't know what year that the weights started being correct in the manual and on the trailer tag. So if you see something that says it is about a 1000 lbs. lighter than what RCREYES said it is wrong. The weights he gave you are correct but don't forget accessories add to the weight.
 
Thank you both for the replies. I went and looked at the trailer, bought it. The owner had the original owners manual. It stated 400#s tongue weight, about 3200#s dry weight, 1200#s contents capacity, for a total loaded weight of 4400#s. Hope that it's close to that, as my Nissan Frontier has a tow capacity of 5000#s. PopRichie77, I appreciate the candid warning about the weight. I will try to verify the actual weight in the future at a truck scale. I will need to buy a weight distributing hitch and an electric brake controller.
The trailer is a 1998. Interior is excellent, everything works. Exterior has faded a bit and the windows have sealant around them. Only concerning issue is some wood rot on the bottom of the top shell of the camper. I'm paying $3400 for the trailer and the seller is going to help me get it to where I'm storing it at a local sportmen's club I'm a member of, so I have time to find a proper hitch and install the controller.
I will do some searches as to how to make the repairs and will get to it in the spring.

Bill
 
There is much helpful information here on this forum, with a little searching you will get many of your questions answered. And, there are many forum members that will help you out as well. Have fun with your "new" Hi-Lo!
 
Thanks RichR. I am enjoying reading through the many topics here. Great to see so many fans of HiLo. Sad to know that they've gone out of business, after so many years. Concerned to think that owners will lose manufacturer support.
Anyone here anything positive about any potential buyers of the business and reopening?
 
fish56 said:
Thank you both for the replies. I went and looked at the trailer, bought it. The owner had the original owners manual. It stated 400#s tongue weight, about 3200#s dry weight, 1200#s contents capacity, for a total loaded weight of 4400#s. Hope that it's close to that, as my Nissan Frontier has a tow capacity of 5000#s. PopRichie77, I appreciate the candid warning about the weight. I will try to verify the actual weight in the future at a truck scale. I will need to buy a weight distributing hitch and an electric brake controller.
The trailer is a 1998. Interior is excellent, everything works. Exterior has faded a bit and the windows have sealant around them. Only concerning issue is some wood rot on the bottom of the top shell of the camper. I'm paying $3400 for the trailer and the seller is going to help me get it to where I'm storing it at a local sportmen's club I'm a member of, so I have time to find a proper hitch and install the controller.
I will do some searches as to how to make the repairs and will get to it in the spring.

Bill
Click to expand...

I am using the Curt Discovery Brake Controller. The hardest part about installing it was deciding the best spot to put it. What took the longest was drilling the holes to mount it under the dash. Less than 30 minutes to install. The controller was under $50 and the pig tail was $12. My GMC has the tow package so I used the quick plug which went into an existing plug in my truck and right into the controller. For some good information, look at youtube and the e trailer website. There are some very helpful videos on both sites! Welcome to the ranks.
 
fish56 said:
Thanks RichR. I am enjoying reading through the many topics here. Great to see so many fans of HiLo. Sad to know that they've gone out of business, after so many years. Concerned to think that owners will lose manufacturer support.
Anyone here anything positive about any potential buyers of the business and reopening?
Click to expand...

Bill,
Somewhere in this forum it was reported that the Hi-Lo Company conducted an auction and sold off all the manufacturing equipment and parts. So I don't think reopening the factory, in Belleville, OH, or anywhere, is an option.:(

The best that could ever happen would be that some entity would buy the designs / manufacturing rights and start from scratch building a new company, or an existing trailer manufacturer (ATTENTION THOR) could take on the design and use their facility.:rolleyes:

On a positive note, J & R Trailer Repair, of Butler, OH, reportedly bought a bunch of the parts. They specialize in Hi-Lo repairs, and used to do all the warrantee work for the factory. Therefore we have essentially the same support (and some report even better) we had when Hi-Lo was still in business.

Welcome to our culture! Enjoy your new /used Hi-Lo... you made a good choice!

Jim
 
Last edited:
JMD,
Thank for the info. I will save it for the future, when I need parts or repair, I'll contact J&R.
Bill
 
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