Just gifted a 2805C, have questions, damaged

[Inspire76]

New owner here. Any assistance is appreciated. Elderly former owner was demonstrating camper to prospective buyer and told me he must have broke the lift cable. Observed front of camper top shell several inches lower than back. Top shell still 8 to 10 inches from post rest (when completely lowered). Underneath, Aft cables tight, front two cables loose. With a floor jack, I raised the front of the shell to be level with rear shell height.

I entered the camper with top shell still in same position. I inspected anything out of the ordinary. In the attached pic, the left back wall cabinet door was found to not closed, thus the lowering took the door right off it's hinges, tilting it's top corner to jamb again the roof of the top shell...stopping it's progress down when it was lowered by former owner. (sorry, damage pic on it's side. Move head to the left for "up", LOL.

I plugged the power cord to wall, lights on fine. Master switch turned on, on-off switch turned on, raise-lower switch toggled...nothing happens. Is there a circuit breaker or safety disconnect with these campers?

 

[sam-HILO]

Welcome to the forum.

I am sure that some one will come along to answer your questions. I found Gorilla glue the best for using on wood in the HiLo. What is your tow vehicle? This might help you to understand the lift system. 3-3-2010 Cable replacement in my 1998 Hilo 24TD.

 

[JackandJanet]

...<snip>...
I plugged the power cord to wall, lights on fine. Master switch turned on, on-off switch turned on, raise-lower switch toggled...nothing happens. Is there a circuit breaker or safety disconnect with these campers?

Did you mean here you plugged the Shore Power Cord into an outlet at your home? If so, that powers the Converter and delivers 120V AC power to the "house style" outlets inside the trailer. If the lights are working, your Master Switch is in the "Camping" position and the "Raise/Lower" function is locked out.

Regardless, you need to fix the problem with the lift cables BEFORE you try to lift the top. If you move the top with two cables broken, it will twist the top and may break the guide blocks.

What do you mean, "on-off switch tuneed on". I don't know what an "on-off switch" is.

I don't understand your question about a circuit breaker of safety disconnect. The lift motor WILL NOT run unless the Master Switch is in the side opposite the Camping position, and, you have a good battery. Shore power will not run the lift motor.

- Jack

 

[Inspire76]

Well, the former owner finally came by my house. I showed him what damage happened and how. We are meeting next week to finally lower the trailer so I can transport it one-half mile to my house.

He might sell me his truck…2003 Ford F150 with a bigger engine.

 

[Inspire76]

Yes I plugged in the cable that pulls out of the front left side. I am of course a very new owner with a learning curve! Thank you, Jack. The former owner is having me over to show me all these things. Yeah, I hope there’s no other issues. I’ll update this blog with what I find out about any issues. Crossing my fingers..

 

[sam-HILO]

Tow vehicle

I would not want to pull a 28ft. Classic with a F150. It weighs too much. Plus all your inside contents and the weight of the passengers. Just want you to be safe on the road.

 

[JackandJanet]

I agree with sam. The F150 doesn't have a strong enough suspension to support the tongue weight of a 28 ft HiLo. Yes, it will pull that trailer, but you will have overloaded axles and wheels. You need an F250 or 2500 Superduty class truck to safely pull that trailer.

- Jack

 

[Inspire76]

Thank you for the responses. Yes I understand where you’re coming from, the GWVR is 7700 pounds. He had been using this truck and his trips were from Kansas City area to California once and multiple years to Oshkosh, WI EAA aviation convention. I will have two trucks to sell to obtain the proper 2500 or similar truck as i have experience from the past. I was using a F150 with a 5.0 liter to pull 5K pounds plus trailer wt hauling wholesale cemetery monuments as far as KC area to Lincoln,NE. Soon after i purchased a 99 Dodge 3500 with a Cummins and a new goose neck trailer. I could load and go with up to 26K! combined weight. Difference was between night and day.

 

[sam-HILO]

Tow Vehicle

I am back from vacation. Thanks for understanding our tow vehicle concern. Their is a good strong market for used trucks. New ones cost a small fortune. We were able tp pick up a F250 off lease with 30.000 miles. Just came back from some roads with 9% grades. The super Duty Ford never burned out the brakes and geared down when necessary.

 

[Inspire76]

I may try to look for such a truck. I have 2 trucks to sell and use money to buy the right size for the job.

 

[Inspire76]

I’ve got a job in getting this camper back up and enjoying. The hydraulic cylinder threaded rod end sheared off due to a bent guide bar. How in the heck does a guide bar get bent?