Possible new [to me] 2205TL

[Atlee]

I'm looking at, via pictures on the internet and lots of emails, and phone calls, a used 2005 22' Towlite. The pictures and verbal description pants a picture of a new flawless ie new condition.

The previous owner said the cables were last lubed June 2011 along with the hubs/bearings being repacked. New Carlisle tires were replace at the same time.

The salesman said the top was perfectly clean, indicating to him it had been stored when not out on a trip, few that they were.

DW will be in Orlando next week and plans to take a look at it. If it gets her OK, we'll probably put a deposit on it and then go pick it up sometime in March.

Is there anything in particular to look out for, outside the normal travel trailer stuff?

The price is $9,094 and includes an Equal-i-zer hitch and a power tongue jack.

Would this be considered a decent deal?

 

[robobd]

I would look on oodle under hi-lo trailers and compare their prices and features.

 

[RCREYES]

I'm looking at, via pictures on the internet and lots of emails, and phone calls, a used 2005 22' Towlite. The pictures and verbal description pants a picture of a new flawless ie new condition.

The previous owner said the cables were last lubed June 2011 along with the hubs/bearings being repacked. New Carlisle tires were replace at the same time.

The salesman said the top was perfectly clean, indicating to him it had been stored when not out on a trip, few that they were.

DW will be in Orlando next week and plans to take a look at it. If it gets her OK, we'll probably put a deposit on it and then go pick it up sometime in March.

Is there anything in particular to look out for, outside the normal travel trailer stuff?

The price is $9,094 and includes an Equal-i-zer hitch and a power tongue jack.

Would this be considered a decent deal?

Check against this.

2005 Hi Lo Prices, Values & Specs - NADAguides

 

[RCREYES]

More Info!

This was taken from NDgent's post here on the forum. It is a great go-by list. You can do a search of thinking about buying and find his post to read it first hand.

Basically, start with the visual items –
1. Exterior
• Look for water stains and discoloration on inside walls and around ceiling anywhere vents, skylights, windows, etc. exist.
• Push and prod with your hand on the inside walls for soft spots (which could indicate a water leak and a damaged or rotten interior wall).
• Check for bubbles in the wallpaper (a sign of delimitation or water intrusion)
2. Interior cleanliness of the unit-
• Look for water stains and discoloration on inside walls and around ceiling anywhere vents, skylights, windows, etc. exist.
• Push and prod with your hand on the inside walls for soft spots (which could indicate a water leak and a damaged or rotten interior wall).
• Check for bubbles in the wallpaper (a sign of delimitation or water intrusion)
3. Test appliance functions –
• lights
• fans
• refrigerator
• air conditioner
• heater
• water pump
• range hood
• stovetop
• oven (if equipped)
• microwave (if equipped)
• stereo (if equipped)
4. Lift System-
• Does the unit raise and lower properly
• Check the lift system for hydraulic leaks (puddle under the trailer)
• Check the lift cables to see if they are in good shape and not frayed
• Check the seal between the upper and lower body halves for tears or damage
5. fill the tanks to the top and check for leaks
6. Battery
7. Solar Panel (if equipped)

 

[campthewestcoast]

Nadaguide is a good starting piont, but you should also look at the demand for these trailers. The price of 9k is good. The trailer new was around 23k. hi-lo trailers are not made anymore but most of the parts are used on anyother travel trailer except for the lifting system. I looked for a while for my 2206TL. The 2001 and newer hi-los are built with alumium framing which I wanted because I had a lot of dry rot with my 97 wood frame towlite. The most important item to look at is front and rear ABS plastic end caps on the outside of the top section. Many people have posted problems with cracking, either from temperture changes or stress cracks at the screw heads at the mounting points . These end caps can be repaired with fiberglass or totally replaced for $500.00each. I did not have this problem but I had the caulking start to fail where the cap meets the roof. This was do to the alumium roof and the plastic expand and contract at different rates in temperture changes. So you'll want to watch this with your normal maintance. Check the inside of the front cabinet for water damage or staining (may want to check all the cabinets for this). Check the awning brackets that lag bolt into the bottom of the upper section they maybe loose. This also is a common problem, the factory used two wood screws to hold in blocking for the awning bracket to lag into which became a weak point when a tire tread /road hazzard hit the front awning bracket. I posted in this forum of my repair/upgrade to fix this problem.
Overall the quailty of hi-lo trailers is high, I may have had a few things that needed repair but I would not want anything else.
Let us know on the forum if you have any other questions, we'll be glad to help.

 

[Atlee]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll definitely have the check list available both when the DW looks the HiLO over, and if we decide to buy it, when we do the PDI, before I hand over the check.