I'm New! Lol

[My name is Pat]

Hi all, glad I found this place not too many people can help with Hi-lo issues around Toronto. I'm recently retired and planning on just parking the Hilo at some site for the summer.

Anyway we own an 85 fun chaser. It's been in the family since 87. Not used very much. Actually it sat untouched in our driveway for 11 years

You would think I'd have have a horror story but actually it is amazing. First thing I had to do was get 4 new tires for the trailer as the old ones were flat and cracked. Now at least the camper was movable. I haven't moved it out of the driveway yet but the first place I take it will be to have the axles greased and repacked.

Anyway I next bought a battery to see if the camper would rise. It did, I was surprised as heck, would have bet anything it wouldn't. I just thought I could get the battery at a cheaper price than a trailer place would charge me.

Tested the lights all but one interior light worked, as for the outside, all marker and running lights except the license plate light worked. All the receptacles worked. Fridge works on electric, for now I'm not going to bother with the propane. I know nothing about the gas lines and will just not use propane for now.

Briefly turned on the water pump it sounds like it works. I haven't put any water in the tank yet.

There are no leaks anywhere, no water damage anywhere. A few cobwebs, a few dead moths a little dusty. it all cleaned up easily. The only thing that seemed to age was the vent above the gas stove. It rusted I'm guessing just the moisture in the air caused that.

Anyway I'm just thrilled what a solid great little camper it's been.

Looking forward to reading other people's experiences with their adventures and their campers.

Pat

 

[renoites]

I also own a 1985 funchaser.
Good trlr and travels well.
Don't be afraid of the gas, or lines.
Best to check while you are working on it and know how everything is supposed to work.
If it doesn't, fix it.
I have put 25k miles on mine in the last 5 years.
Congrats on your new trlr. Now use it up, it has been sitting tooooo long!

This is the place for info!
And friendly people also.

steve

 

[ltblueblzr]

Welcome Pat sounds like you are about ready to hit the road. glad there was no water damage.

 

[sam-HILO]

Welcome to the forum.

Congrats on your retirement. I am in Niagara Falls,NY if I can help in any way. We also have a HiLo dealer in Lockport,Ny that will give advice over the phone or ship you parts. We have a 1990 25ft. Classic that we have restored as it was water damaged. Just a few thoughts. Batteries are cheaper at Mantelli trailer sales due to the large volume they sell. Your propane issue could be that you need to replace your regulator and propane hoses. Are your propane tanks full? Lts. out could be a bad bulb. Dh has had to solder some wires and put some blue goop on them. Sorry can't recall tyhe name of the product. I would highly suggest you lower the HiLo and inspect your roof. See if anything needs to be recaulked or reseal the roof. It is also a must to lubricate all the cables and inspect for frays. Last thought. If you are going to leave the RV up all summer it is a good idea to place 2/4s on the exterior corners to take the weight off the cables. Best of luck with all your RV adventures.

 

[My name is Pat]

Hey Renoites, that's amazing we have the same year and model trailer. Thanks for the welcome everyone.

Thanks for the parts dealer info Sam, too bad Hilo closed up shop, I have a feeling if I can't repair a problem myself I may be out of luck. The dealership my in laws bought the Hilo from decades ago still exists. Hopefully they still are able to do work on them. Expensive though, I do recall about 15 years ago hauling it up there to get the little furnace looked at. At that time the guy said if I needed a new unit it would be 1,000 bucks . I said oh I see and just motored on out of there. Bought a small electric heater for 30 bucks and never bothered with the furnace. With inflation that would have to be over 2 thousand today.

I'll keep the 2by 4 thing in mind, although that would look pretty tacky. I've had it up all summer before a couple of times with no issues, however everything is older now and it may be the prudent thing to do.

 

[sam-HILO]

Maintaining your HiLo.

Your Canadian dollar value has really taken a nose dive. I agree on your choice of heating. Our furnice and water heater in our unit are the original. Check out this post 3-3-2010 Cable replacement in my 1998 HiLo 24TD. The third page shows the placement of the 2x4s. My 2x4s have been stained and coated with an exterior clear finish.No tacky 2x4s for me.

 

[My name is Pat]

Your Canadian dollar value has really taken a nose dive. I agree on your choice of heating. Our furnice and water heater in our unit are the original. Check out this post 3-3-2010 Cable replacement in my 1998 HiLo 24TD. The third page shows the placement of the 2x4s. My 2x4s have been stained and coated with an exterior clear finish.No tacky 2x4s for me.

First things first you've got a great sweatshirt on in your sig. the Raps are good this year hopefully we win a round or two or... Yeah no chance the west is too good.

Dollar is recovering high 70s now.

Anyway I did see the pics of the 4 by 4s, the duct tape does make them look tacky, but I can see what you mean if I use cedar and stain them they would look fine. How does it work though? My understanding is when the trailer is up it is already supported by some safety bar and we actually have to raise the top further to release the tension off the bar in order to lower the top. Do the 4 by 4s then replace what the safety bar is doing? Isn't that dangerous?

Are you that same Sam? I forget the last name already... There is a downside to being retirement age.

Oh yeah I should add, if my cable snaps, I'll be the proud owner of a pretty heavy duty flat bed trailer.

I was at a Home Depot and noticed they were selling dinky trailers with single axles mainly for landscapers I think, price 1500 and up. Darn trailer frame with double axle and electric brakes has to be worth 3 times that.