Pulling trailer without lower the top.

Tulpsrainbird

New Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
4
Location
Tulalip and Palm Springs
I am sure I am not the first to have pulled my HiLo without lowering the top. What I would like to know is can or could it be damaged by towing it with the top up?
What should I look for in regards to possible damage done?
Should I have it inspected by a repair facility?
It is working fine and it goes up and down without any problems.
 
I think you were lucky, and probably didn't move it over rough roads.

Don't move it at all with the top up, except maybe to get it up on a leveling block. It's very easy to break the guide blocks (that ride up and down the tracks on the lower half). You can also put unequal stress on the lifting cables and in turn put serious torque on the upper half that can permanently distort it.

I doubt there is anything an RV repair place will find if you have not noticed any damage. So, just thank the gods you dodged a bullet this time and don't do it again.

- Jack
 
I agree with Jack, as how lucky you are by not seeing any visible damage, what was the reason for towing it with the top up, and how long did you tow it?
 
Forgetting to lower the top and driving away

Sorry, for my tardiness in replying to your posted replies. I did not have my email notification set correctly.

I simply forgot to put it down and drove off. It happened on the fifth day I owned it and on my first trip. I drove approximately 65 miles on the freeway with it up.
It still seems to work ok. So as, JackandJanet said I was lucky.

Now, I lay a sign on the driver seat telling me to lower the top....... old age hints.....

Thanks again for you replies.
 
I am sure I am not the first to have pulled my HiLo without lowering the top. What I would like to know is can or could it be damaged by towing it with the top up?
What should I look for in regards to possible damage done?
Should I have it inspected by a repair facility?
It is working fine and it goes up and down without any problems.

The owners manual states to not tow with the top up. Here is a lowering check list with plenty of room for expansion. (If you ever leave anything on the counter before lowering, you'll probably only do that once!) As stated in the post abobe, the guide blocks can break and the cables can stretch.

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f55/lowering-checklist-362/
 

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