Lifting Modification - Winches or Linear Actuators

[Herb-in-FL]

Hello:

I was curious if anyone had posted information
on an alternative lift system modification for their Hi Lo
using an electric winch to replace
the hydraulic cylinder for pulling the cables.

or else using linear actuators at the four corners
to achieve lifting of the top section and
eliminate the need for the cable system altogether.

I have seen this idea being used on other
manufacturers models and on some people's
home built projects.

Thank you for any leads on this concept.

Herb

 

[piperjim]

The search function here isn't going to win a 5 star rating, but with an easy trick here's what I found. Not a hi-lo but a modified camper with linear actuators.

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f76/hello-hi-lo-folks-6611/

 

[Herb-in-FL]

Thanks piperjim

I had seen and had commented on that fellow, Scribe's project, a while back.
I don't know if he has done any further work or new modifications.

I had also come across this nice page describing some of the more
commonly used lift systems, mostly I think for lighter weight
camper trailers.

https://www.customcylindersintinc.com/article/understanding-camping-trailers-roof-lift-systems

I know the top portion of a Hi Lo, is pretty heavy in comparison.

Herb

 

[Arti-HILO]

My first HI LO had a Hand Winch on the tongue. It worked fairly well although not near as nice as the hydraulics's we enjoy now.

It wouldn't take much to add a couple of pulley's to run a cable up to an electric winch to make your idea work.

On the old HI LO we had the cable broke and after jacking it up I put support 2x4's in it and used it as a regular camper. Ah the good old days.

 

[RichR]

Hi-Lo used the cable system for over fifty years mainly because it is about the only way you can raise four corners of the top and keep then moving evenly. I'm sure there have been a lot of alternates considered but nothing that has worked the way the cable system has because of its symplicity and economic design.

 

[Brookside1954]

Just Have To Ask

I was thinking that maybe what Trailmanor used on the "Rise" that was Hi-Lo like in up/down not foldout, supposedly something the military may have used, was an alternative. It was my understanding that all 4 corners operated independently, but someone had expressed a concern that if 1 corner hung up that it might bend something. The ones they made were expensive, and they only made 2 of them in 2016, and 1 is still trying to be sold on RVTrader.

Also, here is a discussion of it: http://http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f17/saw-new-trail-manor-rise-4994/

 

[Herb-in-FL]

I was thinking that maybe what Trailmanor used on the "Rise" that was Hi-Lo like in up/down not foldout, supposedly something the military may have used, was an alternative. It was my understanding that all 4 corners operated independently, but someone had expressed a concern that if 1 corner hung up that it might bend something. The ones they made were expensive, and they only made 2 of them in 2016, and 1 is still trying to be sold on RVTrader.

Also, here is a discussion of it: http://http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f17/saw-new-trail-manor-rise-4994/

Brookside1954:

I took notice of the "Rise" by Trailmanor, but also saw how expensive they were. Most likely a reason that it never worked out for them. At least they are trying some different concepts.

GoCamp

 

[coachgeo]

... was an alternative. ... Also, here is a discussion of it: https://https://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f17/saw-new-trail-manor-rise-4994/

Bad link...... no worky

 

[RCREYES]

Bad link...... no worky

Search "saw new trail manor rise". The below lick comes up.

https://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f17/saw-new-trail-manor-rise-4994/