1968 Hi-Lo...hydraulic to lift top NOT WORKING
 

Hi there;
Last summer I purchased and refurbished an almost immaculate condition 1968 Hi-Lo...new axels, brakes, exterior paint job, and cosmetics for the interior. We enjoyed it on many trips this summer. However, last time out the hydraulic lift system for the top made a terrible squawking/squealing noise, both going up and coming down. Made it home and parked it, but now it won't go up at all. Any ideas before I try taking it to an RV repair place. The few in Anchorage always laugh (in a nice-and I choose to think admiringly way) when I bring it to them, so I thought I'd ask here first!

Thanks!
Lisa

Lisa, Have you checked the level of the hydraulic fluid and what condition is your battery in?

Bob

Up would be fluid, down makes me think it could be other.
Operate lift with lift hatch door open and hear if it is the lift pump. It will be obvious if you are right in front of it.
If not then…
Get under camper, but away from the cables, and listen while another operates the lift for a few seconds. Listen for noise to come from cable or pulley.
If could be the pulleys under the frame, or the pulleys on top of the lower clam shell half, or could be the guide blocks missing or in bad shape, or could be the top clam shell is crooked and scraping down, but this would not seem to make described noise.
Could be the stuff at the fridge area is broken loose too.
Could be the steel block the hydraulic ram slides on is so rusty or it could be binding, keep that pole clean and greased.