Earlier this year I was on the hunt for a 17 or 19 foot Hi-Lo. I was in contact with some really great sellers in here, but being from Calgary Canada I wasn't able to get to the States to buy any that came up for sale due to the covid border closures. In May one popped up here in Calgary, which was pretty rare as I hadn't seen one in Alberta for sale since I learned about Hi-Lo two years ago and joined this forum. This one I purchased is a 2000 model Towlite 19 foot model.
I paid $5000 CDN for it. The cheapest one I had seen States side this year was down in Florida, but most sellers were asking between $9,000 and $15,000US which would have been $11,000 to $18,000CAD before travel expenses, gas, and import fees. So I feel like I did ok, as long as it doesn't fall apart on me. I love that it fits in my garage. My 2003 5.4L F150 tows it like a dream, and I am able to use an anderson anti-sway system for the hitch.
The first thing I have done is grease the hydraulic ram with white lithium grease, and spray a little WD40 on the cable pullies. The raising and lowering of the unit seems pretty solid. I also gave it a wipe down with some Maguire's gold wash.
There are a few things I have concerns about. I think a previous owner did a recaulking job on the whole thing and there is discolored dirty black caulking around all the edges. Perhaps it was doing better than nothing at the time. Some of the siding is coming apart, and I'm not sure what to do about it at this point. There is also what appears to be a wall stud slightly buldging the siding out from the drivers side center of the trailer. The four cable pully also seem to be cutting into the underside of the top. There is water damage in a 1 foot square section of the front (table side) corners. But it has rained hard a few times here and I haven't noticed any wet walls so perhaps the initial handyman's caulk job while ugly, at least prevented more water from entering. I haven't had the chance to take it out camping until this weekend, so I will test out the fridge, AC unit, and other electrical/gas features as we go.
I'll try and attach some picture for everyone to see. I've really appreciated these forums for learning about Hi-Los, and the answers people provide. I'll try and do my part in time as I learn more about my Hi-Lo
I paid $5000 CDN for it. The cheapest one I had seen States side this year was down in Florida, but most sellers were asking between $9,000 and $15,000US which would have been $11,000 to $18,000CAD before travel expenses, gas, and import fees. So I feel like I did ok, as long as it doesn't fall apart on me. I love that it fits in my garage. My 2003 5.4L F150 tows it like a dream, and I am able to use an anderson anti-sway system for the hitch.
The first thing I have done is grease the hydraulic ram with white lithium grease, and spray a little WD40 on the cable pullies. The raising and lowering of the unit seems pretty solid. I also gave it a wipe down with some Maguire's gold wash.
There are a few things I have concerns about. I think a previous owner did a recaulking job on the whole thing and there is discolored dirty black caulking around all the edges. Perhaps it was doing better than nothing at the time. Some of the siding is coming apart, and I'm not sure what to do about it at this point. There is also what appears to be a wall stud slightly buldging the siding out from the drivers side center of the trailer. The four cable pully also seem to be cutting into the underside of the top. There is water damage in a 1 foot square section of the front (table side) corners. But it has rained hard a few times here and I haven't noticed any wet walls so perhaps the initial handyman's caulk job while ugly, at least prevented more water from entering. I haven't had the chance to take it out camping until this weekend, so I will test out the fridge, AC unit, and other electrical/gas features as we go.
I'll try and attach some picture for everyone to see. I've really appreciated these forums for learning about Hi-Los, and the answers people provide. I'll try and do my part in time as I learn more about my Hi-Lo
