Newbie

Hi all,
I just joined the forum and my wife and I are interested in purchasing a newer Hi-Lo so thought this is the place to be to learn about these unique trailers! I'm thinking the 2007-2010 22 ft. models would suit our needs but am interested in hearing pros and cons about the differences between the older, and different size models. My tow vehicle is a 2004 Tahoe 4x4 with the factory tow package so I think I should be able to tow a 22 footer with no problems. Since my tow experience is limited to pulling a small landscape trailer around, I am also interested in hearing about the pros and cons of the numerous hitch models available. I've heard many of the towing horror stories and that's one of the things that attracted us to the Hi-Lo in the first place!

Looking forward to reading the wealth of knowledge from owners on this site and hearing from you. Oh, and I am located in the southern California area (Tehachapi). Thanks!

Check not just your tow capacity on the Tahoe but also your GVWR. The hitch weights on Hi-Los are heavier than you may think. I think the newer ones are a bit lighter----but my 01 pushes 700 lbs with the accessories ( air conditioner, awning, power jack up front) and two batteries and filled propane tanks. That weight is added to your vehicle weight, you and passengers and gear to equal total GVWR. It adds up faster than you think. Again, that is with very little being loaded in the trailer. I would recommend driving to a scale and weighing your vehicle with you and your wife in it to get an idea of what it really weighs.

This forum has EXTENSIVE INFORMATION if you spend the time on the search engines looking for info. Also- if you check out the Library section you will find brochures etc from the different years which will give you comparisons on "dry weights" ( a dubious piece of information) and available accessories.

Most of us here, though, really like them. Good luck and WELCOME!

Rick

Welcome to the forum.

There's a lot of good information in the Tow Vehicles section of this forum. In addition, here's a good website:
Introduction to Towing a Trailer | Hitches & Towing 101

Rick and Raul,

Thank you for the welcome and information! I'll check out the towing website and the Library section, and check my GVWR.

Thanks much,
Greg

OK, I looked all over the vehicle for a sticker that has the GVWR spec but could not find one. I went to cars.com and found the following for my vehicle:

Curb weight
5,262 lbs.

GVWR
6,800 lbs.

Front GAWR
3,600 lbs.

Rear GAWR
3,750 lbs.

Payload
1,538 lbs.

Front axle capacity
3,925 lbs.

Rear axle capacity
4,000 lbs.

Towing capacity
7,400 lbs.

Luckydog, your Tahoe will easily fall into the envelope for the towing of a Hi-Lo in the size in which you are interested. Most trailers in your range have a tongue weight of approximately 600 to 1000 pounds. Find one, buy one, and then determine if you need a WD (weight distributing) hitch. Good luck to you.

Thanks, Jim! Additional info found on the factory hitch receiver is:

Hitch Type Max. Trailer Weight Max. Tongue Weight
Weight Carrying 5,000 lb. 600 lb.
Weight Distributing 12,000 lb. 1,500 lb.

From the Owners Manual (my Tahoe is 4WD and has the 5.3L engine with a 3.73 axle ratio):
Max Trailer Weight= 7,500 lbs.
GCWR= 13,000 lbs.

Judging from what I'm hearing about the real world weight specs for a 22 ft. Hi-Lo, it sounds like I shouldn't have a problem. Hopefully I'm not missing anything?


Hope you are safe from all those tornados!
Greg

welcome to the forum

You should be fine to tow with your Tahoe. One person in our HiLo club tows with one. Start looking on e-bay craigs list for a used HiLo. We have a checklist what to look for in a used unit. A lot of great info. on this forum.

If your looking for a 07 22ft, rvtraderonline has one in brentwood,CA at a good price.There is also one ( same year) closer to you for $4,000 more. They not to common in california, I had to travel to northern CA to get my 06 22ft. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi Les, and thanks for the lead. I actually called the one in Brentwood last night but it has already sold. Apparantly, RV Trader won't take down an ad until a certain amount of time has expired, even if the unit has sold!

I also seen one on Craigslist for $8,000 but it's a 2001 which is a little older than I was targeting. I'm thinking a newer one would be less troublesome but I'd like to hear from those that own older units to see what issues there may be such as water leaks, delamination, etc. Maybe an older one would be fine???

Sam, thanks for the tip about e-bay as I hadn't been looking there. You are correct about all the great info on this site! Where is the used checklist you refer to?

Thanks, Greg

This was taken from NDgent's post here on the forum. It is a great go-by list. You can do a search of thinking about buying and find his post to read it first hand.

Basically, start with the visual items –
1. Exterior
• Look for water stains and discoloration on inside walls and around ceiling anywhere vents, skylights, windows, etc. exist.
• Push and prod with your hand on the inside walls for soft spots (which could indicate a water leak and a damaged or rotten interior wall).
• Check for bubbles in the wallpaper (a sign of delimitation or water intrusion)
2. Interior cleanliness of the unit-
• Look for water stains and discoloration on inside walls and around ceiling anywhere vents, skylights, windows, etc. exist.
• Push and prod with your hand on the inside walls for soft spots (which could indicate a water leak and a damaged or rotten interior wall).
• Check for bubbles in the wallpaper (a sign of delimitation or water intrusion)
3. Test appliance functions –
• lights
• fans
• refrigerator
• air conditioner
• heater
• water pump
• range hood
• stovetop
• oven (if equipped)
• microwave (if equipped)
• stereo (if equipped)
4. Lift System-
• Does the unit raise and lower properly
• Check the lift system for hydraulic leaks (puddle under the trailer)
• Check the lift cables to see if they are in good shape and not frayed
• Check the seal between the upper and lower body halves for tears or damage
5. fill the tanks to the top and check for leaks
6. Battery
7. Solar Panel (if equipped)

Luckydog671 said:

Hi Les, and thanks for the lead. I actually called the one in Brentwood last night but it has already sold. Apparantly, RV Trader won't take down an ad until a certain amount of time has expired, even if the unit has sold!

I also seen one on Craigslist for $8,000 but it's a 2001 which is a little older than I was targeting. I'm thinking a newer one would be less troublesome but I'd like to hear from those that own older units to see what issues there may be such as water leaks, delamination, etc. Maybe an older one would be fine???

Sam, thanks for the tip about e-bay as I hadn't been looking there. You are correct about all the great info on this site! Where is the used checklist you refer to?

Thanks, Greg

Click to expand...

In 2001, is when HiLo started using aluminum framing in the walls of the TowLites. So, we recommend a 2001 or newer model.

Les, thanks for the info regarding the framing. So those units that are 2000 and older use the "stick and tin" method, I gather. BTW, what is the difference between the "Classic" and "Towlight" models?

I have a forum housekeeping question and noticed you are a moderator. I think I've posted things in three different areas on the forums and am having trouble finding my posts. Is there a way to easily see where my posts are located? Also, when I click on the threads I've started, the original post pops up first so I have to scroll down to find the latest reply. Is there a way to put the newest post first?

Ruben, thank you for the list! I'm gonna print it out.

Greg

Luckydog671 said:

Les, thanks for the info regarding the framing. So those units that are 2000 and older use the "stick and tin" method, I gather. BTW, what is the difference between the "Classic" and "Towlight" models?

I have a forum housekeeping question and noticed you are a moderator. I think I've posted things in three different areas on the forums and am having trouble finding my posts. Is there a way to easily see where my posts are located? Also, when I click on the threads I've started, the original post pops up first so I have to scroll down to find the latest reply. Is there a way to put the newest post first?

Ruben, thank you for the list! I'm gonna print it out.

Greg

Click to expand...

Classics are wider and heavier. You can look through the brochures in the reference library.

If you click on your name, you can search for all the threads you've started or commented on.

As for newest post first, I think it's a lot easier to read down to see where the posts started....just my opinion.

The newer ones have larger wheels. My 2001 had 13 inch wheels and newer trailers had 15 inch. I just Speant about 1500.00 putting spacers under my axles to raise the unit and then switch out to 14 inch wheels. But other than that, my 2001 was in excellent condition. Look to see if what you are considering has stabilizer jacks and an external storeage compartment or two. Oven or not? Those things were optional. Just stuff to consider when comparing prices from unit to unit. By the way, I consider a weight distribution hitch a "must" as well as a good brake controller. If buying from a private party see if the hitch is included. They can run 250.00 to 700.00 new----though you can find them on craigs list for much less.

Thank all of you for all the help, opinions, and information you provide- this is a great forum!

The search continues . . .