Newbie Questions on New Hi Lo Purchase

Hello All-
I just purchased a 2010 1810H this weekend. This is my first every camper and I am excited but nervous at the same time.

I pick up the trailer from the dealer on the 20th as I needed to make some modifications to the Tow Vehicle. The trailer overall looks beautiful but I did notice some small pin sized holes behind the bathroom sink and next to the Kitchen sink in the small gap between the top half and the bottom half of the trailer. Nothing that would cause water damage but a place where the lovely bugs that bite you in your sleep could find a way through. Is this common and what do you do to fix the problem?

Also I looked at the Hydraulic rod that is used to lift the Hi Lo Top and it looks clean where it slides but filthy everywhere else. Should I clean the whole rod or just focus on where it slides? What do I use to lubricate the rod?

Finally, I have been reviewing how to clean black water tanks and I don't believe that that Hi Lo has a place to attach a hose to black tank to help flush it out. I know you can put a wand in the toilet but that seems cumbersome. Has anyone done the mod on the Hi Lo Black tank to be able to attach a hose to help flush the system. The fact that someone else's waste has sat in the tank is a little gross to this single newbie female and I want to do everything I can to get and keep that tank clean. We checked it when we were looking at it and someone traded it in with a black tank that was 3/4 full...EWWWW.

Any help is appreciated and I am sure I will have more questions.

Welcome to the forum!

The guide rod should be cleaned and lubed at least once a year. The portion that you see that is smooth is the most important part. It wouldn't hurt to clean and lube the whole rod but it isn't necessary. Use something like white lithium grease.

Take time to watch the video manual, it will answer some questions and give some basic necessary information:http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f49/hilo-video-owners-manuals-youtube-1233/

Thanks Rich...I have watched all the videos but I am hopeful there might be some guidance on the small pin holes as well as the modification to the black water tank to attach a hose to achieve better flushing of the tank.

I just didn't see either of those on the videos. I am very excited to get going.

Cover available with water hose connection

hi,
yes you can buy a cover that will fit over where your hose fits to dump the tank. This allows you to connect a water hose a back flush the system. You will want to at a dump station or place that would allow you to dump immediately after back flushing. I actually put some chemical into the tank from above before doing this. Also, don't forget to keep that grey water valve closed during this process. The more times that you can do back flush and drain will insure a cleaner system. Walmart or RV locations will have this specially designed cap for your sewer line.
Welcome!

Thank you Byrdster!! A flush king is now in my shopping cart at Amazon that just keeps getting bigger and bigger! Who knew you could spend so much money getting water into a trailer and poop out of it.

Anyone out there who can give me some guidance on the pin sized holes . I think it may be the gasket between top and bottom of the trailer but it almost looks cardboard like and I think of a gasket as plastic. These aren't a deal breaker but I just didn't know what if anything I could do to cover them and if it is the gasket when and how to replace it. There are two by the Bathroom sink and one by the kitchen sink that I have spotted as of now.

Is there somethign I shoudl be putting on the gasket to keep it in good shape?

You can use something like this.

Camco RV Dual Flush Pro - Walmart.com

I was told by the guy I bought my trailer from that putting liquid fabric softener and some water in the black tank when it is empty coats the inside of the tank with a layer of the fabric softener and keeps things from sticking to the inside. I was recently moving the toilet in my trailer and looked inside with a mechanics mirror while I had the toilet off and the inside of the tank was immaculately clean. And it smelled nice too! It surely can't hurt as cheap as fabric softener is. Just have to add a bit before going on a trip so the sloshing around coats the inside of the tank.

Thanks all...what chemicals do you find work best to clean the tank and keep it clean. So many options.

JoyNoelle said:

Thanks all...what chemicals do you find work best to clean the tank and keep it clean. So many options.

Click to expand...

Use the drop ins packets. I had a bottle of liquid spill and about chocked myself out when I opened the door at the campsite.

RV holding tank chemicals, RV Sewer Chemicals, RV Toilet Chemicals, Non-Formaldehyde RV Chemicals, best rv black water unclogging chemicals - Camping World

Also available at Walmart.