Cable n pulley lub - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Charliek · 04-06-2011, 11:05 PM

Have been reading in books and on here to lub cables and pulleys. I have the 17t and have looked in the cabin and out side and I don't see any access for the upper pulleys. I have not been under the trailer yet so I am interested if anybody has any info on that aspect. I picked up a can of lubricant with teflon in it for the pulleys n cables. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

campthewestcoast · 04-06-2011, 11:31 PM

The only way to get to the upper pulleys on the lower section of the hi-lo that I know of is to remove the wood trim on top of the lower wall by removing the mounting screws. Make sure that you fully raise the upper section and have the safety lock engauged to take some of the pressure off the lifting cables.

JMDoering · 04-07-2011, 12:43 AM

CharlieK,

You don't say how old your trailer is... On older Hi-Lo's the upper pulleys are indirectly accessed by removing rectangles of sheet aluminum trim located on the lower edge of the upper half exterior. There are a total of four and they come off easily, just four sheet metal screws each. Access is good enough to lube the pulley and a portion of the cable. Trailer needs to be in the up position as Les writes.

The nice thing about this access design is the ease of getting to the cable attachment point in the upper half.

Jim

RichR · 04-07-2011, 07:32 AM

The manual says to use WD-40 or a similar lubricant on the cables. The main thing is to use something that dirt will not cling to.

JMDoering · 04-07-2011, 08:19 AM

Personally I like to use a spray chain wax on the cables. Same stuff I use on our bicycles. WD-40 is fine, but I believe chain wax stands up better because it doesn't wash away as easily... and is still light enough to not attract dirt/debris... at least thats my theory.

Crossed paths with one owner who used grease... same stuff he was putting on the hydraulic ram. Yuck, what a mess! Attracted road crud like a magnet. Hah, he hadn't read the directions!

Jim

RichR · 04-07-2011, 10:08 AM

The spray chain wax makes very good sense. I just got some for our bikes and I think it would work very well on the cables. It think it would be good to make sure they are very clean and dry before application. I guess that brings up the question if bike chain cleaner would be good to use.