What did you do to your HiLo Today?

[Luckydog671]

Thanks Greg, we will be in a maintained campground so all should be well. We actually rain yesterday afternoon and well into the evening hours, but in another hour you won't be able to tell we had the rain.

Yes, the ground is so dry that I'm sure it will all be soaked up quickly but at least this gives me the opportunity to see if the trailer leaks as this is the first rain we've received since purchasing.

That's what I'm doing to my Hi-Lo today!

 

[Garry-HILO]

Yes, the ground is so dry that I'm sure it will all be soaked up quickly but at least this gives me the opportunity to see if the trailer leaks as this is the first rain we've received since purchasing.

That's what I'm doing to my Hi-Lo today!

8:40PM and we just had another bit of rain. Since this is Southern California there is probably a "storm watch" posted for the area. The trailer is up and in the driveway, ready for tomorrow's departure(after lowering) so I will have a chance to check the interior before we leave.

 

[Luckydog671]

8:40PM and we just had another bit of rain. Since this is Southern California there is probably a "storm watch" posted for the area. The trailer is up and in the driveway, ready for tomorrow's departure(after lowering) so I will have a chance to check the interior before we leave.

We actually got rain and sprinkles throughout most of the day- not sure of the totals but everything is welcomed at this point. I checked the trailer a couple times and it seemed snug as a bug in a rug, with the exception of the big kitchen window. There was a little water on the sill which had come through the open jalousie window. The window was only slightly opened so I didn't think it would be a problem. I thought that was supposed to be an advantage of that type of window- that you could leave them open during rain? It was fine after I closed it.

Anyway, have a great time on your campout and watch out for the big bears!

 

[Garry-HILO]

We actually got rain and sprinkles throughout most of the day- not sure of the totals but everything is welcomed at this point. I checked the trailer a couple times and it seemed snug as a bug in a rug, with the exception of the big kitchen window. There was a little water on the sill which had come through the open jalousie window. The window was only slightly opened so I didn't think it would be a problem. I thought that was supposed to be an advantage of that type of window- that you could leave them open during rain? It was fine after I closed it.

Anyway, have a great time on your campout and watch out for the big bears!

Thanks Greg. The campground we will be in does not have "bear" safe storage boxes, however on the other side of the lake they are provided. We camped at Twin Lakes in Mammoth one time and had a momma and two cubs through the campground. Camped in Yellowstone and did not have any bears in the campground....at least we were not aware of any.

 

[Mike M-HILO]

Stabilizer Jacks

When I was in SC last week I forgot to raise one of the front jacks before blissfully pulling out of the campsite and bent the jack. Cannot really use it to stabilize my unit. Need to find a used one to replace the one I have on my 2005 17T. I also level my unit before raising it and dropping the jacks. I raise the top and then drop the stabilizers. I am at the Outer Banks this week until Friday. Then off to MD to see my son with a last stop in Mercer, PA and heading home to Michigan. Can anyone let me know where to get a used jack for my Hi-Lo?Saw 2 other Hi-Lo's on this trip. Been told that not too many are seen in the KOA's that we stay at.

 

[RichR]

The stabilizers are pretty much generic and can be found online and at RV dealers. I believe the preferred method is to level the trailer, raise it and then drop the stabilizers. That reduces the stresses put on the lift system.

I live about 30 miles northeast of Mercer.

 

[sam-HILO]

came home from camping

Made way to many trips in the house with camping gear to be put away. Mountains of laundry to catch up on. Parked the HiLO across from our house. Tomorrow I will wash the awning. Ran out of time to do this before leaving.

 

[Mike M-HILO]

Jack for the Hi-Lo 17T

Thanks Joyce.
I have not had to shop for jacks for a Hi-Lo. So I am wondering if they have the same round bottom on the jack? The other RV I owned had a rectangle bottom on it. Oh well, if nothing else I will order it from Ohio.
Thanks so much!
Mike

 

[sam-HILO]

washed the awning

DH washed the awning then applied Armor all protectant. He taped off where the awning meets the roof and applied Rust Oleam Leak seal. Tried many thing to seal off fine lines of dripping. It came in a white spray and was self leveling.Will let you know how it worked after our next campout/rain.

 

[Garry-HILO]

What did you get for your Hi Low today?

Today I added a toggle switch to the stereo/cd player so it can now be powered off when using d/c and we do not want to listen the stereo. I am hoping this will reduce the power lose we experienced this past week when out for four nights.

 

[charlie b-HILO]

I cleaned the awning on the 2705 and resealed under the molding that holds it. Pulled the right rear window and sealed it too. We spent the last 3 days cleaning and now I am trying to find all of the areas that can leak. There is minor water damage, but I think I may have got lucky and caught it in time so there is no structural damage. Still have a lot of adjusting to do.

 

[Luckydog671]

Today I added a toggle switch to the stereo/cd player so it can now be powered off when using d/c and we do not want to listen the stereo. I am hoping this will reduce the power lose we experienced this past week when out for four nights.

Welcome back, Garry. As I recall, your were boondocking with no electrical hookups, correct? How did the battery hold up over four days? Do you have one or two batteries? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Garry-HILO]

Welcome back, Garry. As I recall, your were boondocking with no electrical hookups, correct? How did the battery hold up over four days? Do you have one or two batteries? Inquiring minds want to know!

Correct on no hook ups. We have two batteries and a power jack. When we left on Friday morning there was just enough juice left to raise the trailer and set it on the hitch ball. Thursday night we had to killed all power to conserve for Friday, plus when the battery is so low the LP gas detector will go off repeatedly. When we made our maiden trip several months back the same thing happened, but I had remembered to take the battery charger with us, which I did not do this time..FORGOT. Friday when we arrived home after the 89 mile drive, the panel in the trailer indicated we had a 2/3rds charge on the batteries.

 

[Luckydog671]

Correct on no hook ups. We have two batteries and a power jack. When we left on Friday morning there was just enough juice left to raise the trailer and set it on the hitch ball. Thursday night we had to killed all power to conserve for Friday, plus when the battery is so low the LP gas detector will go off repeatedly. When we made our maiden trip several months back the same thing happened, but I had remembered to take the battery charger with us, which I did not do this time..FORGOT. Friday when we arrived home after the 89 mile drive, the panel in the trailer indicated we had a 2/3rds charge on the batteries.

Sounds like you have the same setup as us, two batteries and a power jack. What kind of charger are you referring to that works with no electrical hookups?

 

[Garry-HILO]

Sounds like you have the same setup as us, two batteries and a power jack. What kind of charger are you referring to that works with no electrical hookups?

I have a Honda 1000iu Inverter which I had with me and can be used to charge a battery, but I did not have the necessary attachment, which I ordered yesterday. However, next time I will have the battery charger with me as well, as the Inverter, unlike a battery charger, will over charge a battery. Since going from a 21T to a 27T, everything has gotten a little more complicated as far as equipment needs.

 

[JackandJanet]

Garry, I think you are talking about a Honda 1000 Inverter Generator? If so, it's the same one I have.

I normally plug the shore power cord from the trailer into it (with an adapter since the cord has a 30 A plug and the generator has 15 A outlets). This lets the generator run in the "eco" mode, which is much quieter and the trailer converter prevents overcharging. I can also run other 110 V appliances like phone chargers inside the trailer at the same time.

But, if you buy the direct DC charging cord, which I think you were talking about, you can connect the generator directly to the battery and charge it at a constant 8 Amps. You could also charge your TV battery the same way if needed. The downside is that you have to turn off "eco" mode to do this and the generator runs a full speed and is much noisier. And, of course, it is possible to overcharge a battery this way.

- Jack

 

[Garry-HILO]

Garry, I think you are talking about a Honda 1000 Inverter Generator? If so, it's the same one I have.

I normally plug the shore power cord from the trailer into it (with an adapter since the cord has a 30 A plug and the generator has 15 A outlets). This lets the generator run in the "eco" mode, which is much quieter and the trailer converter prevents overcharging. I can also run other 110 V appliances like phone chargers inside the trailer at the same time.

But, if you buy the direct DC charging cord, which I think you were talking about, you can connect the generator directly to the battery and charge it at a constant 8 Amps. You could also charge your TV battery the same way if needed. The downside is that you have to turn off "eco" mode to do this and the generator runs a full speed and is much noisier. And, of course, it is possible to overcharge a battery this way.

- Jack

Thanks for the info Jack, and yes, I do have the Honda Inverter Generator, which I have had several years and never really maximized its use, but I do believe you have turned me on to something!

 

[JackandJanet]

You're most welcome, Garry! The direct battery connection is a good investment though. It will get a low battery to a working state fairly quickly at 8 Amps.

As an aside, I also carry a 110 V tire inflator with us when we camp. I can plug this directly into the generator to inflate the TV or trailer tires if they get low.

- Jack

 

[Garry-HILO]

You're most welcome, Garry! The direct battery connection is a good investment though. It will get a low battery to a working state fairly quickly at 8 Amps.

As an aside, I also carry a 110 V tire inflator with us when we camp. I can plug this directly into the generator to inflate the TV or trailer tires if they get low.

- Jack

When you are on extended trips, do you use the generator daily? And if so, how long do you run it?

 

[Mike M-HILO]

Challenges of the first long vacation trip.

This is the first long road trip we have made with the Hi-Lo. We have taken several short trips with it for about a week at a time with no issues. Our first encounter was losing battery power in SC. Then I discovered that the DC to AC converter breaker tripped and the system was running on battery power only after installing and electric tongue jack. Reset the breaker and the inside functioned properly. The electric hookup charged the battery after putting a new on in it. Then the load leveler on the right side came off after I just unhooked at a campsite so I put it back on and tightened up the bolt that holds it on. Pulling out of SC I "forgot to make sure all the stabilizer jacks were in the up position and the right front jack was bent backwards and the screw bolt was bent and I need to replace it. Luckily I was able to put it back in the up position so I need to buy another one with the round footing on it. After arriving in MD where my son lives I did not hook it up to A/C with the refrigerator in the DC position and the battery went dead again. So I hooked it up to electric and the battery recharged. Now one more stop in Mercer, PA before returning to Allen Park, MI where I will need to adjust the cables to level the top of the unit before covering it and winterizing it to store it for the Winter. But other then all of that the trip to the Outer Banks and the beach in NC was well worth the "minor disruptions" of the trip are well worth it. Thank goodness Hi-Lo company people are still available for parts and help. My greatest thanks to all of you and your knowledge and help is so much appreciated!!

Mike