Top wont stay up

[montana-HILO]

My 2005 17T raises and lowers just fine, but in the middle of a month long trek through the Rockies, the top has begun to lower slowly and rest on the lock bar after a couple hours.

I found one other thread saying this likely meant the hydraulic cylinder was going. I'm considering trying some dextron stop leak just for the heck of it.

Wondering if anything could have shaken loose that might have lead to this?

Does anyone have thoughts?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[JackandJanet]

Before you do that, check out this thread: http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/how-fix-top-half-creep-your-hilo-trailer-129/

The problem is likely in your lowering valve.

- Jack

 

[renoites]

Montana
It is supposed to lock onto the safety bar.
You hold the safety bar out during lift and then release. Normal.

I raise mine and then hit the down button to lower 1" onto the bar.
If it blows or ?, it is always locked until I release to completely lower.
That is why it is called a safety bar.

Then I pull the cable while lifting for 1 second, release, activate lower switch and it lowers to ready to drive.

It doesn't need to be at full lift all of the time.

Or that is how I do it, and works for me!

 

[Hersbird]

Unless the cables pull out or break then it's coming down saftey bar or not. I made 4 2x4's to put up inside when occupied because I don't trust the cables and their attaching points. Then again mine is wood framed and it rotted out and the cables pulled out once already.

 

[montana-HILO]

That's great! Thanks!

I was going to try this, but first topped the fluid up, it took 3/4 of a quart! I wonder now if there's air in the system because it's still lowering. I'll try this tip tomorrow.

 

[montana-HILO]

The hi-lo video manual says to check the security bar by lowering onto it then raising up slightly to release the be easier on the bar.