1994 HiLo won't lift

[tcongdon]

When I was lifting my 1994 21FLL the other day, it seemed to catch on something, within the first inch. It popped. I then stopped & lowered back down and then it would not lift. Just a clicking sound. I checked everything out and could not find anything. It finally went up with no problem. I then lowered it a few days later and now it won't lift. Same thing, just a clicking noise.
Any clues? or ideas? Thanks

Travis

 

[piperjim]

A clicking noise when attempting to lift is usually a good indicator of battery not having sufficient power. That sequence you describe sounds like it.....lifted a bit, stopped, went down but now won't go back up.

Now for the fun. Is your battery accessible with the camper in the down position? If not, can you pump it up manually? If not, you might be able to charge the battery off shore power, but it will take a couple of days, minimum.

If the battery isn't accessible, consider rigging up some cables to give you that access. Pumping it up manually isn't much fun!!

 

[tcongdon]

Camper plugged in

The camper is plugged into 110. So that is not the problem. The battery is also showing good, 13.3 volts. But I will check it out again when it gets warmer. Thanks.

 

[retiredcamper47]

Disconnect the trailer from shore power and then check your battery. This will tell you the true condition of the battery.

Bob

 

[Wyoguy]

I have had a very similar experience twice in the past. Worked, then did not, then did.....Clicking sounds too. Battery was good. It turned out to be a bad ground from the battery to the battery box in my case. Same issue both times, a few years apart. I have also had the clicking sound that turned out to be a bad or run down battery.

 

[tcongdon]

Found the problem

Yes, it happened to be a battery terminal problem. The ground was getting corroded. I did unplug the battery and still read 13.3 volts, but the amps were not there to run the hydro pump. I did not know that you can only lift the trailer with just the battery. It will not go up just being plugged into 120. You have to have a battery, which stinks if your battery goes bad when you get to your campsite.

 

[Hilo56]

The battery is good and the pump has fresh atf in ITV the ram is fully extended underneath is there a manual way to raise it please help

 

[JackandJanet]

The battery is good and the pump has fresh atf in ITV the ram is fully extended underneath is there a manual way to raise it please help

Hi and welcome! Do you have the manual lift option on your pump? If so, use it.
Here's a video that explains how:

Note: You haven't given us much information on your problem. Do you have the Master Switch in the correct position? Are there any sounds from the lift pump when you activate the lift switch? You say the battery is "good" - what is its "resting voltage"? I'm not sure what you mean when you say, "the ram is fully extended", does that mean it has moved to the top up position? If so, are the cables connected?

- Jack

 

[Calhilow]

What size battery is ideal for this trailer?

 

[JackandJanet]

What size battery is ideal for this trailer?

I think Group Size 24 is the "standard". Some folks have been able to get a Group Size 27 in there, I can't. But, I AM able to put two GS 24s in there wired in parallel.

- Jack