Is this normal? Front raises just higher than the rear

[cptmoney]

Looking at a local Hi Lo; a 1994 Funlite.

Front looks to raise just a bit higher than the rear - not completely parallel. Is this normal? Is this simply a cable adjustment procedure?

Trying to upload pics now...

Also - ck out the rear of the roof. Are these waves and bubbles ok? It supposedly has a rubber roof (maybe even covering the original metal roof). What do you guys think?

Here's a few pics:

 

[JackandJanet]

I can't comment on the "bubbles", but the top should probably be leveled (and it IS a cable adjustment.

The trick is though, to figure out if the front is too high or the rear is too low. You need to try to check the seal, probably near the door to see if it is meeting the frame on the lower half.

My guess is, the rear needs to be raised. The owner's manual tells you how to do this. Basically, you lower the top onto 4 2x4s of equal length, which takes the load off the cables and levels the top. Then, you adjust the proper cables to either lower a high end or raise a low end, then check by raising the top and repeating if necessary.

One thing though, DO NOT try to raise an end or a corner higher than the point at which the seal makes good contact! If you do, it will put very heavy strain on the cable, which in my case "dented" (deformed) the bottom edge of the upper half where the cable attaches. I had to repair that area with a piece of angled aluminum.

- Jack

 

[Dale Ledford]

I have a 1992 Funlite with same problem.

 

[JMDoering]

CP,

You should E-mail that photo of the "bubbled," roof to J & R Repair for their opinion. My two cents worth is to recommend you do this prior to considering a purchase.

Jim

 

[wvjeepr]

I have the same year and model and mine has a metal roof so if it is rubber it is probably over the original metal. I agree on the roof it should be level.


Harry

 

[sam-HILO]

Concerns with 94Funlite roof/purchase.

Good idea to E-Mail a picture toJR repair of the bubled roof. Looks like a well cared for unit. No rust at wheels or any where in the pictures. Make sure you push on all the walls to check for delamination/soft spots. Both inside and outside. The only deal breaker would be a bad roof or delamination. Ask the owner what roof was on the unit when he got it. Did he make any changes/repairs to the roof. You are so lucky to have the members of this forum to help you. I hope this Rv works out for you.

 

[DebW-FRF]

CPTMoney,
This looks like a well cared for Hi-Lo. I agree with the rest of the posters in regards to sending pics to J&R and getting their opinion in regards to the roof. Check the walls & ceiling inside for soft spots/delamination and also the outside walls. Hope this all works out for you. Keep us posted........

 

[cptmoney]

We're going to buy it, I'm 99.9% sure.

Looks very well kept, has detailed documentation of new roof (over original due to hail damage, was professionally installed), documented maintenance, relatively new tires, and the layout we want.

The gentleman says it has Model 21 on the paperwork and trailer, but he says it's much longer than 21'. Does that make any sense? Doesn't it look like a 21' to you guys?

He says it won't even fit in his 25' garage.

Weird. I'd bet good money that it's a 21', based on the size/layout, etc.

 

[PopRichie77]

It looks like a 21 foot model, measure the bottom living area on the outside if it is17 to 17 and 1/2 feet it is a 21 foot, or measure from the tip of the hitch to the back of the rear bumper, that's how Hi-Lo measured their trailers, don't include the spare.

 

[sting32]

Yes, the lifting cables stretch over time, especially since I notice too many OWNERS leave these up all summer, some all year long in storage, which I believe is a TERRIBLE mistake, without supporting the top externally. And the cables are not equal lenghts, so the stretching on one end or the other will be noticeably more than the other (causing roof to not lift as far on one end or the other).

About the roof, I would not bee to scared, but seriously concerned though...

you will find that the bubbling is that air (or water) is infiltrating the roof rubber, My brother had this happen on an RV with a rubber roof, after a tree limb punctured the rubber membrane, the roof then would bubble up like a baloon driving down the highway, and of course if air gets in, water would too.

What was bad is, when at rest you couldnt tell. but climb up too see, because his roof problem was in middle of camper, unlike what I see in your pics. when he found out and walked up there, yep it looked funny. Same thing could happen to current owners, as my brother, hadn't noticed it on his own, it was when a friend was following that he called via cell, to tell him the roof was balooning. Plus, we knew the incident that poked the hole in roof, had happened many moons earlier.

Fix wasnt that bad, and fortunately RV was always stored inside...

We got up there, cut a huge slit, big big enough to reglue the roof back down with the same glue they use to put it on, to hold it back down, and then when that cured, we sealed the cut we made with super calking stuff (probably same stuff you guys all use around the vents on rubber roof campers) and hoped for the best.

of course now it is SEP (someone elses problem).

Just my $.02 for you.

 

[sam-HILO]

Getting a HiLo

I would also tell you to measure the trailer. My gut feeling tells me you need to put the HiLo in the down position and climb on the roof on a dry day. Look at the roof and feel for any problems. How long ago was the roof redone? I truly hope it works out for you. These trailers are very sturdy. Classic models are a bit heavier and hold up. Their is nothing on a HiLo that can't be fixed!! A great trailer!!Hope you are handy. Sam

 

[cptmoney]

Thanks Sam, PopRichie77, Sting32 - and everyone else for your input.

We're super excited about this one, and hope that it works out.

My biggest concerns at this point are the roof and the unlevel lifting of the top. I'll work to get those two things addressed first.

On the interior, things look pretty decent, save some peeling wallpaper. I'm hoping to get the Mrs. on that once we have it back at our place.

Here are a few more pics for your approval/perusal. Would welcome any comments/thoughts.

 

[cptmoney]

A few more -

 

[cptmoney]

Still more....

 

[cptmoney]

And a final round - a lot of pics, but I'm really revved up on this one! Can't help myself!

 

[JMDoering]

CPT,

Sounds like you bought! Congrats and welcome to the Hi-Lo world!

Jim

 

[cptmoney]

I'm definitely within striking distance - for the first time yet.

I think I can close it all up (the deal, that is) within just a day or two.

Cannot WAIT!

 

[PopRichie77]

I don't see the cast iron grates for the top of the stove, but some take them off for travel.

 

[cptmoney]

He's got the stove covers; just took them off for travel/cleaning.

Hey Sting32 - tell me more about the cables stretching. How much do they stretch? When do they need replaced? How much of a chore is it to replace them? I"m sure it's not easy...I'm hoping that it's simply an adjustment, not replacement. How can I tell?

I don't even want to imagine breaking one of the cables, esp with one of my kids inside - that would kill a person. Yikes.

Anyone ever have the cables break on them? I know that as long as it's fully lifted, the safety latch theoretically takes that possibility out of the picture - but has it ever happened?

Definitely do NOT want to be addressing that side of the story...

 

[sam-HILO]

Almost a HiLo owner

Looks real good on the inside. Like you mentioned just a little wall paper paste . You will have fun detailing the inside to make it your own. I would suggest that you get a strip of bound carpet for the main floor. It is so plushy to step on when you have to use thr Br in the middle of the night. Throw rugs at the doorway help so you don't get small rocks off your shoes toscratch the floor. Shampoo all the upholstery and scotch guard,probably won't have to do this again for many years. Call camping world and get a free Master catalog. 1.800.626.5944. That way you can see all the "toys "you may want/need. Is this the first camping trailer that you have owned?We had quite a discussion on this forum about how to make our couches /dinettes more comfortable for sleeping. Foam topper at walmart/costoco. Brings back alot of memories detailing the HiLo when we first got ours 10 yrs. ago. The stove grates will lock into place for travel. Keep the questions coming. Sam