HOW TO Raise the roof for repair

[Les Gray]

I just purchased a Hi-Lo Camper. The upper section is down , pump will run, but it will NOT raise! I suspect there is a MAJOR problem with the plastic wheels that the cables run on ? ? Two on the under side were broken , probably more ?? I have found some METAL wheels that can be used to replace the plastic wheels.
What is a SAFE way to RAISE the upper section without damage to the upper section ? Then after it's raised , how do I replace the plastic wheels , then adjust/set the cables to make it work as it should ?

ANY help/ advise will be helpful ! ! ! ! !

THANKS , Les Gray

 

[RichR]

Welcome to the Forum!

There are a number of threads here on the forum that address your problem. Basically you will need to jack up the top and place 2x4's between the top and the outriggers that the top rests on when down.

Standby here and hopefully someone will direct to a thread that describes lifting the top in greater detail.

J&R Repair can supply you with the pulleys and cables. http://www.jrrepair.embarqspace.com/#

 

[RCREYES]

I just purchased a Hi-Lo Camper. The upper section is down , pump will run, but it will NOT raise! I suspect there is a MAJOR problem with the plastic wheels that the cables run on ? ? Two on the under side were broken , probably more ?? I have found some METAL wheels that can be used to replace the plastic wheels.
What is a SAFE way to RAISE the upper section without damage to the upper section ? Then after it's raised , how do I replace the plastic wheels , then adjust/set the cables to make it work as it should ?

ANY help/ advise will be helpful ! ! ! ! !

THANKS , Les Gray

Welcome to the forum. I think this is one of the links you need.

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/cable-roof-gasket-repair-91/

Cable adjustment;

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/cable-replacement-adjustment-1998-24td-125/

 

[SeaGypsy]

I wish I had seen this back in May!! My RV repair guy lowered the top onto the main cable (My 87 has the cable outside) and I didn't realize it till I got to my campground 2 hours away. I couldn't get it up. I crawled inside and slept there. The next day, I took it back to the shop and al they did was have two guys lift it off the cable. If only I had known..I wouldn't have risked claustrophobia and not ruined my kids mini vacation.

 

[renoites]

I would suggest that you do NOT use metal wheels/pulleys.
True they are stronger. It was designed that way for a reason. The plastic pulleys will break but they are the weakest part of the system and meant to do that.
The hydraulic system is robust enough to mangle your trailer if you make it.
The system requires maintenance occasionally. Lube the wheels, ram guide bar and cables where necessary.
Read all you can about your trailer, but be willing to get under it to understand how it works and why. It is very simple.
When you power the pump does the hydraulic ram even move? If it does, STOP.
Find out why it doesn't lift, ie: broken cables/pulleys, jammed top, not enough hydraulic fluid, and the list can go on.

My $.02

steve

 

[hilltool]

Sea Gypsy

The cables they are talking about here are the ones that lift the top. There are four of them and you need to lubricate them once or twice a year from the underside. If you crawl under the trailer you will see them running under the floor and then heading vertically up the sides. Your "cable" that you say got squished was the electrical cable , I believe. On older models it looked like a big telephone chord and ran down the outside of the front of the trailer.

Rick