Storing Hi-Lo in up position

[marcvanlecktor]

I have an old 1990 24' Classic. During the off season I have been storing it in a covered carport in the UP position. I frequently like to go in there and hang out during the winter. It has come to my attention that it is possibly not a good idea to leave the Hi-Lo UP for extended periods. I lubricate and check my pullies and cables yearly and I've never had any problem with alignment or the lift system. Should I really not be leaving it up for extended periods of time ?
I can easily make up a support system with 4X4's for the upeer half if that might be a good idea for an old Hi-Lo ?

 

[sam-HILO]

Storing in the upright position.

It is my understanding that Bracing the HiLo up takes the strain off the cables. I would like to hang out in my HiLo in the winter. It is stored where no electricity is available and is under cover.

 

[JackandJanet]

IF, you lower the top onto 2x4s so that the cables are no longer supporting it, there is certainly no strain on the cables. You'd really need to cut the 2x4s so that they have to be kinda forced into the space between outriggers and the top with the top in the full up position. This will keep the bulb seal against the upper lip of the lower half.

If the 2x4s are too short, then supporting the top with them will leave a gap between the bulb seal and the lip, which will allow insects or other unwanted critters a point of entry.

I my own opinion, I don't really see that supporting the top with the cables for a long period puts undue strain on them. I think each cable is rated for about 400# continuous load, but the breaking strength is on the order of 2000# per cable. I would not hesitate to leave mine up on the cables, but supporting the top with 2x4s is not going to cause any problems either, if they are the correct length.

- Jack

 

[Papa-HILO]

I used to own a 2807C. The entire time I owned it I kept it in the up position. Like others have said I made supports for the out riggers where it rest when in the down position. After I raised it I'd place the 2 X 4's under upper edge and on the out riggers then let the top down to rest on them and take the strain off the cables. Did that the entire time I owned the camper with no problems.

 

[Elaine and Bill]

We lived in our HiLo for 7 months and did not use supports. Hindsight maybe we should have? We did not experience any issues with the top creeping down.

 

[JackandJanet]

Don't mess with success, Elaine and Bill. If supports make you feel good, use them. Otherwise, I think the cables are strong enough to take a steady, even strain of that nature.

- Jack