New To Us 2000 24 Footer!

[bamagirl-HILO]

Hi Everyone.

I'm BamaGirl and we just bought our first Hi-Lo this week. We have owned campers for years but this is our first Hi-Lo and we are already in love! Towing it home was a dream with no swaying and no change in gas mileage. Is that even heard of with other type of campers? I have certainly never experienced it and I'm the driver in our family. Absolutely amazed.

Anywho- we bought the camper with the plans to heading west, then north on the AL-CAN this coming spring, leaving from the Tampa, FL area. As it will be myself, my mother, and my two four legged sons, we wanted something that we could travel the byways with ease and comfort. Additionally, we wanted something that we could feel secure in. Ya'll know what I mean- lions, tigers, and bears- Oh My! I KNOW we've found that!

We have lots of questions and are open to suggestions as to mods. We would also love to hear everyone's experiences with trips like this, as well as any other input some of you may have that would be helpful.

Looking forward to getting to know more about our camper and everyone on this forum.

Happy Trails!

 

[miniceptor86-HILO]

Fun, fun, fun!

 

[piperjim]

BG:

You'll have lots of great adventures with your Hi-Lo!

Ask your questions, we're a friendly group and don't give anybody a hard time.....well, hardly ever.

Get your maintenance checklist going and punched out before that big road trip next spring and you'll minimize your opportunities for lost time. Things like tires, wheel bearings, lube the lift system thoroughly, have brakes checked, etc. You know the drill since you're an experienced camper.

Have you found the excellent video series that covers almost every aspect of Hi-Lo operation and maintenance? If not, here's one. They're on YouTube and all can be accessed here:

Thanks to Sting32 for the great work on these!

If you don't have your owner's manual, copies of many can be accessed from the Library section of the forum home page.


Safe travels

 

[campthewestcoast]

A couple of things and a little more
Caulking on the exterior joints must be kept in good condition to prevent water leaks I recalulk every 3 years any question on the caulking I would recaulk
If you have a box inclosed style awning I would remove and re caulk I had this problem on our first hilo It leaked and caused some major damage
Larger charge line to trailer from truck when towing the refrigerator will pull 13 amps when on 12volt my truck was only putting out 5amps causing my trailer batteries to go dead I installed a 30 amp circuit breaker and 10 gauge wire back to the trailer
Repack wheel bearings and new trailer tires I never run tires older than 6 years no matter how good the tread looks I use maxxis brand tires with the highest load rating for the size of tire your running

 

[Garry-HILO]

Hi Everyone.

I'm BamaGirl and we just bought our first Hi-Lo this week. We have owned campers for years but this is our first Hi-Lo and we are already in love! Towing it home was a dream with no swaying and no change in gas mileage. Is that even heard of with other type of campers? I have certainly never experienced it and I'm the driver in our family. Absolutely amazed.

Anywho- we bought the camper with the plans to heading west, then north on the AL-CAN this coming spring, leaving from the Tampa, FL area. As it will be myself, my mother, and my two four legged sons, we wanted something that we could travel the byways with ease and comfort. Additionally, we wanted something that we could feel secure in. Ya'll know what I mean- lions, tigers, and bears- Oh My! I KNOW we've found that!

We have lots of questions and are open to suggestions as to mods. We would also love to hear everyone's experiences with trips like this, as well as any other input some of you may have that would be helpful.

Looking forward to getting to know more about our camper and everyone on this forum.

Happy Trails!

campthewestcoast suggested you change the wiring on your TV to a larger wire to prevent dead batteries on your Hi-Lo. We did the AlCan 2012 and had battery problems the entire trip because the wiring from the truck that charges the trailer battery was not large enough to carry the load. We finally changed the wiring and have not had any problems with the trailer refrigerator running on DC while in transit for 7-8 hours a day.

 

[sam-HILO]

Welcome to the forum

You have some great travel plans. Our members have given you some ideas of preventive maintenance and things to do before a long trip. Take some time to view the posted operational videos.

 

[maestro123]

hi I am Mike and I am new also. nice to meet you.

 

[bamagirl-HILO]

Hi PiperJim.
I am so appreciative to Sting32 for putting the videos up for us. I have some of the paperwork for the camper but the videos are so helpful. We weren't sure about the master control panel and those switches but the videos explained it all. So far the only button we haven't been able to get a grasp on is the solar panel. It doesn't light up so the investigation is ongoing!
She's cleaned up finally and I'm sewing upholstery. We'll get under her this coming week and start the other maintenance. The previous owners appear to have taken good care of the camper but even so, there are things to do.
Toodleloo.

 

[bamagirl-HILO]

One of the suggestions from you guys is in regards to the TV charging the battery in the camper. We have a 2014 Tundra that has tow package on it. Does anyone have any experience with this TV as to upgrading the wiring, etc.? On the Tundra forums, some say that it pushes 13.8V to the trailer; others say no. Yes, I will test it but realistically, is that enough to run the fridge during traveling and lift the trailer upon arrival? We won't be boondocking, I don't think my mom is ready for that, nor will we be traveling 7-8 hours a day either. I don't want to travel with the LP on. Suggestions? Tips? Experience?
Perhaps, these questions are answered elsewhere or better asked in another area. I'll explore but quick tips anyone?

 

[Treeclimber]

bamagirl, That's some trip planned! Welcome. Anything you need to know about that unit, I'll be happy to answer.
Tree

 

[JackandJanet]

Bamagirl, the voltage that is received by the trailer when hooked to the tow vehicle will be very close to the output of the tow vehicle's alternator. Normal charging voltage can be anywhere from 13.5-14.5V. But, voltage is like "pressure" and as more systems demand electricity from the alternator, that pressure is reduced.

In my towing experience, I've seen the alternator voltage as low as 13.6V and as high as 14.0V. I have a meter that measures the actual voltage.

However, it's not voltage that powers your refrigerator, it's Amperage, which is similar to the "volume" of electricity it receives.

The problem with many tow vehicles is that the charging wire back to the trailer is too small to let the needed volume through. So, the refrigerator makes up the shortage by taking the needed Amperage from the trailer battery.

Someone, I believe it was RichR, stated that the refrigerator needs 13 Amps when running on DC current. That's a lot of Amperage and if true, even 10 gauge wire (which is commonly used) is too small. You really need 8 gauge wire (smaller gauge = bigger wire, go figure) to carry that much current over that distance.

So, replacing the tow vehicle charging wire with a heavier gauge is the simple solution to preventing a discharged battery during towing.

- Jack

 

[piperjim]

BG:

If you're not planning on long days driving, and since you won't be boondocking, you could consider not even running the fridge while towing. Try this to see if it works for you.

1. A couple of days before departure, get the fridge running good and cold on home (shore) power.
2. On the day of departure, load it with stuff that you've already cooled in your home refrigerator/freezer. You can even add frozen bottles or jugs of water or orange juice, etc. to help keep it cold.
3. Turn off the fridge just before you depart.
4. Keep a fridge thermometer in the fridge and monitor temps (but minimize opening the fridge while traveling)
5. When you get to the campground, plug in and shore power will take over.

You can't do this traveling across Death Valley in July for 14 hour days, but you can get several hours out of it without problems.

 

[Garry-HILO]

One of the suggestions from you guys is in regards to the TV charging the battery in the camper. We have a 2014 Tundra that has tow package on it. Does anyone have any experience with this TV as to upgrading the wiring, etc.? On the Tundra forums, some say that it pushes 13.8V to the trailer; others say no. Yes, I will test it but realistically, is that enough to run the fridge during traveling and lift the trailer upon arrival? We won't be boondocking, I don't think my mom is ready for that, nor will we be traveling 7-8 hours a day either. I don't want to travel with the LP on. Suggestions? Tips? Experience?
Perhaps, these questions are answered elsewhere or better asked in another area. I'll explore but quick tips anyone?

I don't know about a 2014 Tundra, but I know my 2005 Tundra with factory tow package could not keep the battery charged with the refer running on DC.