How to Lower the Top Manually?

LO

Lou M

Advanced Member
Joined
May 3, 2011
Posts
36
Howdy Folks,

I want to store my 2007 Hi-Lo trailer in my garage without batteries for power. Both batteries died, so I pumped the top up manually with the hydraulic arm attachment. The top is now up. I removed the old, bad batteries. The normal method of lowering the top involves using an electric switch and lock near the entry door. If I have no power, how do I lower the top manually? I'm guessing that I can't, and will have to install new batteries.

Thanks and RSVP.
Lou M
 
Last edited:
Lou, you SHOULD have a manual lowering knob mounted on or near the hydraulic reservoir. This will be a two-person process though. One person needs to pull the release cable to disengage the safety bar while the other turns the knob to open the return path for the hydraulic fluid. Once the top is down, you'll need to close that manual lowering knob so that you'll be able to raise the top again in the future.

Older trailers had a lever instead of a knob, but I think yours is the knob variety.

- Jack
 
JackandJanet said:
Lou, you SHOULD have a manual lowering knob mounted on or near the hydraulic reservoir. This will be a two-person process though. One person needs to pull the release cable to disengage the safety bar while the other turns the knob to open the return path for the hydraulic fluid. Once the top is down, you'll need to close that manual lowering knob so that you'll be able to raise the top again in the future.

Older trailers had a lever instead of a knob, but I think yours is the knob variety.

- Jack
Click to expand...
Howdy Jack,

Thanks much for the prompt reply! I've attached a photo of the hydraulic reservoir. I see nothing that looks like a "knob." The second photo is a close up of what appears to be a rod with a pin. I don't know what this rod/pin is for, or how to operate it. Can you please comment on what you see here re my need to lower the top manually?

Thanks,

Lou
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5475 2.jpeg
    IMG_5475 2.jpeg
    134.6 KB · Views: 17
  • IMG_5474 2.jpeg
    IMG_5474 2.jpeg
    109.1 KB · Views: 17
BTW, the first photo shows the pink-stained plastic reservoir has a black cap, but it's not a knob.
 
Hi Lou - Yes, it's confusing, but the second photo of the "rod with a pin" IS the manual lowering "knob". HiLo calls it a "knob" in the owner's manual, even though, to you and me, it does not look like a knob.

According to my manual, you open this valve by turning the rod/pin thingy CCW. You'd do this AFTER someone else pulls the safety bar release. If you open the valve before pulling the safety bar release, it will cause the top to bind on the safety bar and you'd have to lift the top a bit before trying to lower it again. Once the top is down, fully turn the rod/pin CW to close it so that the top can be raised again.

Now, I've never used my manual lowering knob, so I don't know if you can turn it by hand. You MAY need pliers. I HAVE used the hand pump to raise the top though, so I know how that works.

- Jack
 
JackandJanet said:
Hi Lou - Yes, it's confusing, but the second photo of the "rod with a pin" IS the manual lowering "knob". HiLo calls it a "knob" in the owner's manual, even though, to you and me, it does not look like a knob.

According to my manual, you open this valve by turning the rod/pin thingy CCW. You'd do this AFTER someone else pulls the safety bar release. If you open the valve before pulling the safety bar release, it will cause the top to bind on the safety bar and you'd have to lift the top a bit before trying to lower it again. Once the top is down, fully turn the rod/pin CW to close it so that the top can be raised again.

Now, I've never used my manual lowering knob, so I don't know if you can turn it by hand. You MAY need pliers. I HAVE used the hand pump to raise the top though, so I know how that works.

- Jack
Click to expand...
Howdy Jack,

Well you are correct! That weird "rod & pin" is the "knob" that releases the hydraulic lift. My top is now down and trailer stored! Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lou
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

IN
Raise lower switch question
sam-HILO
SA
SE
Top wont raise and manual pump won’t work either
Red Green
Red Green

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top