2002 Hi/Lo TowLite Camper in Texas

[Luisa48]

Just bought a HiLow TowLight camper. My hubby is tweeking things and fixing little things nothing major. Its very clean.

One serious problem is part of the rubber strips that that seal the top bottom and lower camper don't seal all the way in some areas. There are gaps. How can we fix that? Any answers? The white strips on the photos are gaps.

Hi-Low Towlite 2002
Model 1703T

 

[underpsi]

Hi! Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of answers here for almost every HiLo question. The best place to start for the bulb seal is here: Midget RV & Trailer Service HiLo Specialist
They have a lot of the original parts for the trailers. Another resource is J & R Repair: Home - JR REPAIR
One of those should be able to assist you. Happy camping!

 

[Luisa48]

Thank you soooo much. Didnt even know wha it qas called. Thank you. This is a great forum amd very helpfull. .

 

[RichR]

If both of the seal strips are still intact maybe all you have to do is adjust the cables so the strips meet.

 

[Treeclimber]

Luisa48, Very much agree with RichR! After enlarging the last pic, I'm sure I see the seal intact. This means that it CAN be adjusted. It looks as though it is the curb-side front or the street-side rear. There are some threads/posts on doing this. Simple. My method is to lower the top all the way, loosen the corresponding adjustment lock nut with TWO 9/16" wrenches and TIGHTEN the adjustment nut (start with about 3 full turns). You may need to hold the inner side of the swaged fitting (NOT the cable) with vise grips or a wrench. Raise the top to see if more adjustment is needed. When it's correct, tighten the lock nut. Then recheck ALL corners. Take your time so's not to raise it too much. Might take a couple of raises and lowering's to get it right.
Treeclimber

 

[JackandJanet]

And, don't "overtighten"! You want the bulb seal to just meet, not to be compressed much. If you overtighten the cables, it will cause compression damage (a dent) to the lower edge of the top where the cables attach to it.

I know, because I damaged my trailer this way. It can be fixed if it happens, but it's better to avoid the problem altogether.

- Jack

 

[DeLana]

Jack, can you describe in more detail to my husband, Beach, your statement "cause compression damage (a dent) to the lower edge of the top where the cables attach to it." When you say compression damage, do you mean pinching of the outside wall laminate, thereby causing some delamination near the lift cables? Or do you mean tight compression of the bulb seal near where the lift cables are located?

Thanks.

Dee
2009 Hi-Lo Classic 2509

 

[RCREYES]

Also, do not use the wood trim on the inside as your guide. Use the actual seal. Like Jack said, you want the bulb seal touching on the top and lower halves. With that being said, you will have a good seal alignment, but the interior wood trim won't be lined up.

 

[Luisa48]

Thank you all for your help. Every reply is important for the outcome solution. Like a puzzle.

My husband is the one who is doing the adjustments, we just needed more info on how to adjust things.

 

[JackandJanet]

Jack, can you describe in more detail to my husband, Beach, your statement "cause compression damage (a dent) to the lower edge of the top where the cables attach to it." When you say compression damage, do you mean pinching of the outside wall laminate, thereby causing some delamination near the lift cables? Or do you mean tight compression of the bulb seal near where the lift cables are located?

Thanks.

Dee
2009 Hi-Lo Classic 2509

I can indeed, Dee. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the damage on my trailer, but Graeme did, in this thread: http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f25/front-cable-damage-top-4133/

The high tension on the cable ultimately bends the reinforcing plate and that in turn compresses the wood underneath. The whole thing is weakened then, and should be repaired, or it will just get worse. In the above thread, I have a link to the thread where I talked about and showed the repair I made.

Hope this helps.

- Jack