1965 hi-lo 500 identify interior

[vintagecamper]

I just bought a 1965 HI-Lo 500 and found a stack of wood in the front corner that actually made a small closet. I thought it was homemade at first but now I see the screws and nails seem to be the correct time period. It is also made from the correct wood for the interior. My question: Has anyone seen this setup before? Also I have poles and a canvas hammock but cant see where they would mount except in a storage rack above in the back. Where would the wider wood racks get set up to use the Hammock? I have included pics. The camper seems all original with all the parts including awning cushions etc. any help would be appreciated

 

[vintagecamper]

65 hi-lo

here are more pics

 

[hilltool]

Modern day hi Lo s have a wardrobe and those pictures certainly look like an early incarnation of one. Cool trailer!

Rick

 

[jcurtis95]

I just bought a 1965 HI-Lo 500 and found a stack of wood in the front corner that actually made a small closet. I thought it was homemade at first but now I see the screws and nails seem to be the correct time period. It is also made from the correct wood for the interior. My question: Has anyone seen this setup before? Also I have poles and a canvas hammock but cant see where they would mount except in a storage rack above in the back. Where would the wider wood racks get set up to use the Hammock? I have included pics. The camper seems all original with all the parts including awning cushions etc. any help would be appreciated

Vntagecamper,

I have not seen that before. Is there some reason that it must be put together after you reach your destination? Will the top not come down when it is erected? Congrats on a finding a vintage Hi Lo.

Jerry Curtis
Fredericksburg, TX

 

[vintagecamper]

re 1965 Hi-Lo

The cabinet does not interfere with the top going up or down. It seems to be more a matter of wanting space to take it down or put it up. It assembles with slots and pins in minutes (once you figure out how they go together). It really seems Homemade except everything matches so well. It would have had to be done about the time the camper was made. The bigger question for me now is the canvas hammock. I have 2 boards as seen on the table that the poles would go into but where would you put these boards?
thanks again

 

[69hilo2]

Neat

That's a really neat early hilo. Enjoy

Later Tim & Nancy

 

[DonShipley]

Interior

Did you figure out how the hammock works? My trailer is identical to yours. I am presently refurbishing it. The closet arrangement in the corner is where a seat is located in mine. Presently, the cabinets where the galley would be are missing (the previous owner removed them). Could you provide or post a couple of pictures of the galley? That would be great. And if you've figured out how the hammock installed, I'd welcome any information as I would like to replicate it. Thanks!

 

[sam-HILO]

65 HiLo

Cool HiLo! Just a guess on my part. Maybe the hammock installs close to the ceiling as additional sleeping space? Some of our Hilos come with a bunk bed that swings down from the ceiling. Others have no bunk but contain additional cupboards in the same spot.

 

[DonShipley]

Bunk/Cot

What concerns me is the weight/burden on the vintage/weary cables if the bunk/hammock boards were affixed to the upper sides. The posted owner's manuals provide no help in sorting this out. Perhaps more details will emerge...

 

[DonShipley]

Bunk/Hammock Design

You mentioned you have the hammock poles. Are they wood? What diameter are they? Length? And what is the distance between the two pole holders on the board (you photographed them on the table)? Thanks.

 

[Scatershot]

I have a 1965 Hilo as well. I have seen several variations on the interior. More than likely there were multiple interior layouts for this model. Mine also has a cabinet in that corner but it is only half as tall as yours and is just empty space. I was thinking of putting a porta-potty in there.

 

[Scatershot]

What concerns me is the weight/burden on the vintage/weary cables if the bunk/hammock boards were affixed to the upper sides. The posted owner's manuals provide no help in sorting this out. Perhaps more details will emerge...

I agree with your concern about strain on the cables. I plan to use 2x4 bracers on the ouside of the cabin just under the 'lip' to ease the strain while it set up for camping. Perhaps this might help ease the burden if you try to use the hammock option. I have heard that some of the models did include a hammock.

 

[MossyOakLane]

Again, I know this is an old post, but I am going to answer the bunk question in case someone in the future needs it. The boards with the bunk mounts go between the wall and metal clips that are mounted to the lower half of the frame. I wish I had a picture to help.