Thinking of repairing a Hi-LO

[garyk52]

I remodeled a 1996 24' Hi-lo in 2012. The top half of this Hi-Lo was very water damaged however the bottom half was like new. It took me a year to do the remodel. Here is a breakdown of what it cost me to fix this camper. Another thing, I used mostly top quality parts, which you would not have to do if you didn't want to. Now here is what it might cost:

$ 1.91-10 1/4x1 1/2 bolts nuts washers (fix cracked ceiling joist)
$ 11.42 -2 new awning knobs
$127.10- 10 sheets 1/8" lauan
$ 57.04 3 sheets 1 inch styrofoam +glue +staples
$ 89.15- 34 tubes liquid nail 1 can of liquid foam
$ 11.13 20' white yellow # 12 thhn wire (replace some wiring in ceiling)
$ 55.25 eternabond tape
$ 11.53 Camco 41320 RV 12 V Double Dome Light Replacement
$ 32.73 Heng's 5825 1/8" X 1" X 30' Butyl Tape - Pack of 4
$ 9.43 JR Products S-23-14 Colonial White Round Electric Cable Hatch
$ 17.91 AP Products 012-PSQ500 W 8 X 3/4
White Pan Head Square Recess Screw - Pack of 500
$ 44.60 Fan-Tastic Vent 900 W/SMOKED LID Static Vent with Smoked Lid
$ 12.94 Camco 25202 RV 1" x 100' White Vinyl Insert
$ 8.08 JR Products 10245 Stainless Steel Baggage Door Catch
$ 7.40 electrical connectors
$ 96.87 3 Gallon Kool Seal
$203.46 Wall Paneling plus roll of seal tape (same design as paneling)
$ 8.77 A&E Systems 940001 94.5" Awning Pull Strap
$ 25.98 32 oz Gorilla glue Amazon
$ 9.85 1 tube lexell and 4-2 1/2 screws
$ 14.23 quart polyurethane 3 foam brushes
$ 12.25 sheet of 1/4 oak plywood 1/2 price blem
equals $869.03

Things I bought because I wanted them

$ 48.80 carbon monoxide and Lp protector
$157.56 DLS-30/IQ4 DLS-30 IOTA (30 Amp Power Converter w/IQ4)
$133.35 1000 watt inverter, remote switch, Battery Isolator
$ 31.77 Camco Rhino Flex sewer hose
$244.99 Barker Rv Power Jack
$ 26.64 Camco Power Flush Valve Rv Blowout plug brass
$ 9.84 Camco 39572 RV 5" Clear Sewer Hose Adapter
$ 65.97 Hunter Thermostat, Friction Sway Control, Fuse Holder
$ 6.27 200 Amp Fuses (2)
$143.99 4000r Fantastic powered vent.
equals $869.18

 

[JackandJanet]

Great post, Gary! Take pride in how much money you saved doing the work yourself and the pleasure you derived in that accomplishment!

- Jack

 

[CBean]

Gary, I just recently purchased a 1978 Hi-Lo 2278R. The previous owner had stripped the top half and replaced the insulation. He also gave me some new pre-cut wall panels, he hadn't installed them yet. My question is, the wires in the ceiling are just hanging down right now. Do these wires just lay behind the paneling? I didn't take it down so I didn't get to see how it was put together initially.

 

[garyk52]

CBean, yes when I replaced the ceiling the 12 volt wires just lay behind the paneling. Now the rooftop AC wire (Romex) had a groove cut in the styrofoam for the wire.

 

[CBean]

Thanks Gary. I figure I will pick a spot and use Gorilla Tape to secure the wires to the wall. Then, use the Heavy Duty Liquid Nails to secure the paneling to the frame. My camper didn't come from the factory with a roof air. At some point, the previous owner installed one. I'll need to figure out the wiring after paneling installation. I will also need to build new overhead cabinets. They were not in the camper when I purchased it.

 

[r67northern]

Thanks Gary. I figure I will pick a spot and use Gorilla Tape to secure the wires to the wall. Then, use the Heavy Duty Liquid Nails to secure the paneling to the frame. My camper didn't come from the factory with a roof air. At some point, the previous owner installed one. I'll need to figure out the wiring after paneling installation. I will also need to build new overhead cabinets. They were not in the camper when I purchased it.

I think I saw that one for sale on Craigslist not too long ago, I was a little too far out to go take a look, but it seemed like a nice start on a good project. Hope it comes together well for you.

 

[CBean]

Yep, this is the one. I bought it from a guy in the Houston area on Labor Day weekend. I haven't had the chance to touch it right now. I'm working in Lake Charles and I travel back to Texas when I'm off.

 

[r67northern]

Yep, this is the one. I bought it from a guy in the Houston area on Labor Day weekend. I haven't had the chance to touch it right now. I'm working in Lake Charles and I travel back to Texas when I'm off.

Great, the old ones have some nice style I've always thought