New member, need some information, please! - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Zgpruitt · 01-16-2013, 11:11 PM

Hello everyone. I'm new on the forum. My beautiful bride and I just bought a Hi Lo sight unseen from a family member. We live in Lubbock, Texas. The trailer is in Grantsville, Utah...about 900 miles away. Generally I don't buy stuff without looking at it, but we're picking this trailer up for a cool $100 bill (it is sort of a wedding present). Anyway, we're going after it next month. I have seen pictures of it, and I HAVE the following information...

Numbers on some tag read:

22 B 78-13

AND

HLT 2875c

Factory weight is 3590.

I wonder...does the 2875 mean I have a 28-footer?

Any help anyone could offer would be most appreciated! For instance, I would love to know the year of this trailer, the kind of wiring harness connecter it might have, and the height of the hitch at level towing. Really, anything.

This forum is really cool. My hats off to the creator(s), and thank you all for your help!

miniceptor86 · 01-17-2013, 07:35 AM

Hi and welcome!

I'm pretty new to the HiLo world myself but from what I've learned from this forum sounds like you have a 1978 28ft Classic. You can check the library in this forum to see if any other information for this model has been posted.

Before dragging this thing home please verify that is road worthy. Nothing can spoil the fun like a break down. Tires, wheel bearings, brakes should be inspected or verified in good condition from the previous owner. Don't forget the tow vehicle either, is it up to the task?

Once you get it home you will find plenty of things to work on. I have had a lot off entertainment and good learning working on mine. And thanks to this forum's members' wealth of knowledge I haven't made too many mistakes.

Jim

JIM L · 01-17-2013, 11:07 AM

Hi Zgpruitt; Welcome to the forum. I have a 2805C. If your numbers are correct, 2875C, then you have a 1975 28ft classic. I do question the weight tho. My owners manual and brochure show a unloaded weight as 5320 lbs. This does not include options, A/C, spare tire, extra battery etc. I do not know a lot about the older HiLo's but sure someone on the forum will know about the weight. Does your HiLo have the tipout? I do not know how a 28 ft HiLo could weigh so little. What vehicle (TV) are you going to tow with? If it is a 28 ft HiLo you will need a TV with a towing package, a weight distribution hitch, and a brake controller. Check the age of the tires, you can check here on the forum how to read the age code on the tires or ask a good tire dealer. If they are around 5 to 7 years old they should be replaced. Do not go by what the tread looks like. A blowout on the road is not fun and can do a lot of damage to the RV. Pay attention here on the forum to stories about water damage to the roof and sides and plan on resealing the windows, door, vents and trim in the near future. Also follow the info from miniceptor. Have fun with the HiLo. The best way to prevent problems is to know your HiLo and preventive maintenance. I also sent you a private message.

miniceptor86 · 01-17-2013, 11:17 AM

Hi,

I stand corrected 1975 model is correct.

Jim

Zgpruitt · 01-17-2013, 04:25 PM

Man, yall are awesome! Thank you all so much for your help.

I have a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser. My rig has a tow package. It is rated to pull 5500 lbs. My new cousin in Utah says the trailer weight is 3590. MAYBE he read me the model number wrong...or the weight. I think this might be the case because he seemed to think it was an '85 or '86 model. I'm asking for pictures of the little metal ID tags on the trailer.

If my vehicle is not up to the task, my brother will swap me his truck for a few days so I can get 'er home.

I'm a country boy, so I know about towing trailers (though travel trailers are new to me). Thank you for the admonitions about the bearings and brakes. I'll have a look at all that before I drag it home. We've built two days into the trip in order to deal with unexpected issues. I can re-pack bearings and fix brakes.

I'll take four brand spanking new tires with me. My best bud is a tire guy, and is going along for the ride. I do love a project. We're always remodeling something around here, so I am looking forward to taking this sucker apart, and getting it ship-shape.

I will do my best to go for some more complete information before I re-post.

Again, thank you all for your help.

miniceptor86 · 01-17-2013, 04:49 PM

Sounds like you are the person for the job!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Jim

hilltool · 01-17-2013, 05:14 PM

Welcome to the forum.

First- the weight is propably more, though I don't know about hi-los of that vintage. My 22 footer (2001) weighs 4000lb empty with just the propane tanks filled, though the sticker says 3200lb. Batteries, awnings, air conditioners all add weight and are not included in the posted factory settings.

I am sure you bought a "project". But for 100.00, you can't lose....as even the adventure of going to get it is worth that, right??

You need a weight distribution hitch- do a search of the forum for discussions and then go to etrailer.com for more info and an idea of costs.

Check the library on this forum to see if anybody has posted a "manual". From what I have read, those older units were built with wood frames so be prepared for structural damage if it wasn't kept up and stored appropriately. Also---from what I have read, brakes and wheels on those older models may be difficult to get parts for------so I would look into that some more.

Put some thought and pre-work into this because, as you know, a 900 mile trip is nothing to take lightly. I would spend lots of time reading back posts on this forum- including re-build projects etc . Also search "J&R" on this forum and get a number for them. They are the "repair" facility back in Ohio for Hi-los and they are wealth of information on any hi-lo. In fact, you may want to give them a call from the start just to have a better idea of what you are getting and what to prepare for. If you can "scan" the pictures and post them we would love to see it.

Hope it works out for you

Rick

Zgpruitt · 01-17-2013, 05:46 PM

Thanks, Rick.

And, yes, I'll do anything for a good story. I'm a Texan.

I will call the Hi Lo repair shop. I guess Hi Lo went belly up recently? Is this J&R the remnants of the company? It couldn't have been too long ago. Folks are discussing 2000's models on this forum.

I do want (and need) a weight distribution hitch. I will look into that. I am now learning that the model number I was given is not correct. My new in-laws in Utah pulled the trailer all over tarnation with a minivan with no trouble. And the pics I have seen do not lead me to believe that the trailer is a 28-footer. So I am thinking (and hoping) that it is a smaller, newer model. It does not resemble the 70's pics I have seen. It looks more like an 80's model. It says "Funchaser" on the side.

As soon as I am able to get an accurate model number, maybe we'll be able to make heads or tails of this deal.

You guys are super, by the way. I'm a big fan of communities like this.

Here's a pic.

Trailer.jpg

I hope that worked.

hilltool · 01-17-2013, 07:57 PM

Hi lo went under in 2010. Check this forum link:

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f17/...oses-shop-435/

A FunChaser. Bunch of people on here have had them or still do.! You should get some good feedback and help.

And, yes, j&r is made up of ex employees .

Hopefully your new in-laws haven't established this as a test designed to see if you are resourceful enought to merry their daughter.

Rick

Chuck · 01-17-2013, 08:10 PM

The picture is an 80's vintage 22' Funchaser. The B7813 that was on the tag is probably the tire size and the weight designation would be accurate for this model. The awning is a box style crank-out awning probably by A&E systems.

Hope this helps,
Kim

Zgpruitt · 01-17-2013, 09:46 PM

So Kim (Chuck), you figure that 3590 is probably an accurate weight? That would be nice. I would not have to borrow my brother's rig to go get it.

Rick, I expect that my in-laws are testing me in any way they can. They think that people who wear cowboy hats and boots are not to be trusted. Whereas I am of the opinion that those people are to be especially trusted. But my new in-laws are good folks, despite their unfortunate geography.

I'm getting pretty fired up about our new trailer. My wife is rolling her eyes.

Chuck · 01-18-2013, 06:17 AM

Hello Zach: You should look at it as an "adventure". The weight should be pretty accurate assuming that it is not carrying full water, lp, rocks

etc. The air conditioner and awning might add another 200# or so. You should be most impressed by the way it tows since it does not have the wind drag of a traditional travel trailer.
It's a bargain for $100. You'd spend more than that for beer at a Cowboy's game.

Kim

RichR · 01-18-2013, 08:28 AM

Make sure you get the title or what ever necessary papers that are required to gain proper ownership.

Zgpruitt · 01-18-2013, 09:37 AM

I know. A hundred bucks is just too cool. And I don't usually drive six hours to Dallas to throw money at Jerry Jones (though the Cowboys ARE America's Team...and mine). I'm more of a Texas Tech Red Raiders fan, anyway. I live just down the road from the stadium.

You know, Kim, I was considering picking up several thousand pounds of assorted rocks on the way home. Do you think that is a bad idea?

I'll be certain to get all my legal ducks in a row. The County Tax Assessor/Collector gets her proverbial panties in a wad when she doesn't get her cut.

I did order a weight distribution hitch from eTrailer.com, at the suggestion of some other folks' posts I have read here. I suppose my last question is...does anyone have a clue as to what kind of wiring harness this trailer is gonna have? I have a flat-four on my Land Cruiser, for horse trailers and whatnot. I'll go get an adapter if need be.

Thanks again, everyone. My sincere thanks for your words of wisdom.

garyk52 · 01-18-2013, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zgpruitt

I did order a weight distribution hitch from eTrailer.com, at the suggestion of some other folks' posts I have read here. I suppose my last question is...does anyone have a clue as to what kind of wiring harness this trailer is gonna have? I have a flat-four on my Land Cruiser, for horse trailers and whatnot. I'll go get an adapter if need be.

Thanks again, everyone. My sincere thanks for your words of wisdom.

If the wiring harness is like most it is a bargman trailer plug. You will need more than a adapter if you want to use the brakes (Don't know what the laws are without brakes in your neck of the woods) you will also need to wire up a brake controller, look up Tekonsha.

JIM L · 01-18-2013, 10:23 AM

You will need the round 7 wire plug setup that provides wires for your brakes and 12V power for charging the RV battery. You said that your TV has the tow package. Because of the age of your TV the following info may not be correct for your vehicle. Most tow packages include a larger transmission cooler if the transmission is auto. The package also normally includes pre wired harness for the 7 pin plug, and maybe the brake controller. Some also include a larger alternator. Check your owners manual or the dealer to see what the tow package would have included. The 12V power wire for the Trailer harness has to come off of a 30 amp fuse on the TV and be a #10 size wire.

hilltool · 01-18-2013, 01:06 PM

If you know who was pulling it around before why not ask them what they were using for wiring harness? You seemed to suggest that it was your In laws. They should know when they last had bearings packed etc ---- we're they using the electric brakes???

Again on weight, I would almost guarantee it is MORE than the listed 3500+ lbs. still, it should be under your rated 5500 for the land cruiser. Be sure to calculate tongue weight into your gvwr on your tow vehicle. My guess tongue weight ( tw) is in 5oo to 650 range.

As a veteran of various schemes over my lifetime of going and getting something I haven't seen yet and hauling it somewhere, I strongly suggest you build in extra contingency time into what you already have planned.....just sayin

. After all, Lubbock to Utah and back has got to include a couple of mountain passes. Nothing makes a person re-think their mechanical readiness etc on a vehicle like crawling up a mountain pass and then making note of the " run outs" while going down the other side. So check your tv brakes before you go, too.

Rick

Rick

renoites · 01-18-2013, 01:13 PM

I looked at your pic, and I have a 1985 funchaser, and other than the color of the window/door frames and the small door on the front passenger side it looks identical.
7 blade round plug is what I have. Brakes were not ever hooked up when I bought my trlr. Tekonsha brake controller works great. The brakes were there with all of the parts, just never hooked up. Now works great.
Was traveling through your neck of the woods on my way back home to NV from FL last May.
Great trip and the hi-lo tows well.
I have a toyota, 1997 t-100, 6 cyl 3.4, with >200k miles, no factory tow package and had no problems. But DO have a WDH.
Have fun!
steve

Zgpruitt · 01-21-2013, 08:50 PM

Okie dokie. I got my harness wired up correctly (thanks, everyone). And again thanks for the sage advice. I'm listening.

My rig does have a huge alternator (not OEM), and an external transmission cooler (aftermarket). So, I think we've done all the prep we can do...except maybe some invocation of The Almighty.

If the excrement hits the air conditioning, as Pappy always says, we can stand a few days more vacation.

hilltool · 01-21-2013, 11:15 PM

DO keep us informed on how the trip goes and what things look like once you get back. Many of us here live vicariously through other people's adventures and projects.

Good luck and take it easy. In fact, that looks like it has potential for a GREAT camping trip except for snow in the elevations this time of year. Take pictures!

Rick