Wow...how awesome is this....

[Hilotrolls]

Hello all. I have been reading through this site for a few days now and feel like I have found something pretty awesome. My girlfriend and I bought a 1978 palomino pop up a couple years ago. I don't know if everyone is familiar with them, but this thing had hard sides that hinged in the middle and it had to be manually raised by pulling on the raising bars on opposing sides of the unit. Won't go on and on and bore you with to much worthless information, but lets just say raising that thing was like raising the titanic ( actually that might be easier ). Needless to say, that didn't last long. We began to look for a more cooperative travel trailer; went to the RV lots, searched the web, looked through newspaper ads etc, etc, etc.....felt like we were searching for the Holy Graill.................then it was like the seas parted and there it was....on craigslist.... and she was a beauty. We ABSOLUTELY love our 1989, 22' Hi-Lo Funchaser. What a wonderful end to a strenous journey....or, maybe this is just the beginning. Hmmm.... We will be checking back frequently...until then...Hi-lo, Hi-lo it's RV'ing we shall go. See ya ! Hilotrolls !!

 

[vannooch-HILO]

Welcome aboard! As I'm sure that you have seen, there is a wealth of information on the forum as well as many knowledgeable members. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions. We all feel the same way about our HiLo trailers! Post some pics, we'd love to see it.

David

 

[sam-HILO]

New HiLo owner

Welcome to the forum. I used to have the exact Palomino trailer that you had. If you didn't stake out all four corners with rope to get an even pull on the trailer you would snap the window sash hardwear. The new sash hardwear was too light and snapped. We ended up garbage picking some off some discarded windows. I call it recycling. Wehad the popup for 6 yrs.One time I was camping with my daughter and it got down to 30 at nigh in August at Allegany State Park.Two of us got in the same bed with 90 pounds of covers,winter pj's and the propane heater on. Then we got showered with condensation off the canvas. I told hubby I wanted a trailer where you just open the door and go in. I wanted to be a "spoiled brat" Now we have owned our used 90 25ft Classic for 11 yrs.and just finished restoring it. Take some time to cable lubrication and to check all over the exterior for recaulking and roof maintenance. I would also say to remove all windows and reseal with Butyl tape. Best of luck with all your HiLo repairs.

 

[Hilotrolls]

Think we got lucky....

Thanks for the warm welcomes. Our 89' is in great shape. No leaky windows, roof is great, all caulking looks decent and it doesn't leak anywhere and we get some pretty crazy rain storms here in Kentucky. The cushions show very little wear, the cabinets have not become dull ond don't need any additional stain. Heck, even the breadboard doesn't have a scratch in it. The stove hood is as clean as can be and the stove looks like its never been used. The hydraulics work great, all interior and exterior lights work. Even the tiny lamp shades ( aren't they cute ) are not yellowed from age. The little shades near the bed are particularly cool as they still have the little plastic beads hanging from them. Ahhhh isn't that special?! The table tops are in great shape as is the toilet, shower, bathroom sink and wardrobe. I think it even has the original curtains......are you kidding me?? The linoleum has no wear or scratches and even the carpet looks nice. I am desperately trying to find something wrong with it; I mean afterall, it is 23 years old. If I didn't know better, I would say this little GEM was hardly ever used and was stored inside. Underneath looks good and clean, the stabliizers all work well. The spare tire cover is complete and uncracked as are the double propane tank cover and hydraulic pump/battery cover. The propane tanks were so old, they still had the old shut offs.....I replaced those just to be safe. Am I crazy to want to find something wrong or am I just wanting to fix something? It's a guy thing....you understand.....I hope. Well, enough of that. I mean really, eventhough in good condition, she isn't perfect............actually, yes she is! But then again, she is a hi-lo.

 

[vannooch-HILO]

Sounds like an awesome trailer, and by your last statement I can tell that you have the bug!
Post some pics!!

 

[Hilotrolls]

Thanks Vannooch!!!!!

How would I go about posting pics on here? I have dial up so it might be a challenge.....or my hi-lo will be another year older by the time I get them uploaded.

 

[sam-HILO]

1989 HiLo

Sounds like your trailer may well have been stored indoors and have seen little use. I'm not trying to find fault with your trailer. However,I wish when we got our 90 Classic 11 yrs. ago I had been told some of the things I know now. The reason you take out all the windows and reseal with butyl tape and exterior caulk9Lexell) is that with age the black rubbery seal oozes and looses its effectiveness. Butyl tape and Lexell caulk is superior to what was used yrs. ago. Don,t wait until the window leaks to do this. By the time the window leaks you will have extensive wall dammage. We thought the caulk was okay on the exterior of the trailer. It wasn't and we ended up this past fall/winter doing a total tearout/restoration of the upper walls. Another area of leaking occured fron the escape window and around the exterior interior AC electrical box. It is amazing how far the water dammage occured and how far the water traveled. You may want to read about the restoration under 90 HiLo Classic restoration. Another benefit to removing a window is that you can see the condition of you wall. I am really happy that you found this great little gem. I keep my floor "rugged to death" cheaper to shampoo a few throw rugs than to replace a floor due to dammage fron stones and dirt grit.

 

[vannooch-HILO]

To post attachments, scroll down past the dialogue box and under the submit reply button and you will see a manage attachments button. You may have to shrink the file size, you can probably do that in a picture editor on your computer. Or if you use flikr, photobucket or one of those just post the link.

 

[Hilotrolls]

Thanks Sam !!!

I didn't think you were trying to find fault in our hi-lo. The advise you have given about the windows would have never occuresd to me. Thanks for the insight. I am not familiar with butyl tape, is that an RV parts store item? Is it anything like the tape you put on the outside of a house window after it's installed and before you finish the exterior?

 

[Hilotrolls]

Thanks Vannooch

I see it....I will get some pics posted as soon as I can. Might take a while. I will have to use my girlfriends computer. Will try to take some pics this weekend and get them posted soon after. Thanks again !!

 

[sam-HILO]

Reinstalling windows

You can do an internet search for butyl tape. It is sold at RV stores. I did a lengthy post on how to remove and reinstall a rv window. I,m sure their is a video on window reinstall on you tube. When you get some time it would pay big dividends for you to read some of the old posts so you know how to care for your HiLo. I don't know anything about house construction. Dh is sleeping so I can't ask him.

 

[robobd]

check your bulb seal(top to bottom gasket)for leaks, check your cables, especially where they attach to the underside of the top and up to 4 inches back from that point. lube your cables, its easy on your model, check out the post on cable lubeing,check tires and brakes,change cone seals on your plumbing,you will need 7 .then have fun!