Before we purchased our Hilo, I went to an RV dealer that had a Trailmanor and asked if the salesman could show me how to set it up. After some hesitation, he agreed to show me. In fact, he actually asked me how serious I was about the trailer. Trust me, it does not set up as smooth as the You Tube video implies. It actually took both of us to lift the front and back into place. It just felt like a really clumsy process. Once lifted into place, it did not seem that stable even after locking it down.

The internal set up included having to hang cabinets, slide beds in and out, lift walls to assemble the bathroom, move items (chair, microwave, and cabinets) out of the way, and velcro the carpet that ran completely around the trailer to cover the top and bottom seams. After the internal setup was complete, I noticed lots of places around the seam that would potentially allow wind flow. And, I did not like the recycling toilet concept at all.

Based on this, I decided against spending the money they were asking for this trailer. Then, I went to see the Hilo at another dealer. When I asked the salesman if he would show me how it set up, he was glad to do it. In fact, he thought it was really fun to just push the button and watch it raise and lower. So did I. In my opinion, the Hilo wins hands down when compared to a Trailmanor based on set up and much higher quality.

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2008 Towlite 22T
2005 Nissan Xterra

I own a 1998 2518 Trailmanor for the last 5 years. I have just purchased a 2806C HiLo. Have not used the HiLo yet so will focus on the Trailmanor. The 2815 has a slide out double bed at each end and they are very comfortable. Set up takes about 5 minutes for my wife and I or 10 minutes by myself. This doesn't count water,sewer and jacks which are common to both. Bath set up takes about two minutes of this set up time and is very simple. A hard wall bath room is actually an advantage over the HiLo IMO. The recirculating toilet is doable but not as nice as a flush toilet and black water tank. We get about 3 days on out recirculating toilet before dumping. The smell is minimumn until this time with proper chemicials and it flushes good. Please remember while reading this that I stand 6'3" and weigh 210#. The bathroom is small but they are all small to me even the one in my 2806C. I prefer to use the camp ground facilities for comfort. Can't stand completly straight in TM and I feel like I am wearing helment in HiLo but I can stand straight.
Our TM has an AC in the side wall not on the roof. Also keep in mind we are in Texas and camp in summer when temps usally avg 100 deg. I am really looking forward to the ducted AC as it should help air flow. Our TM has lots of windows but with no slide out seems cramped. We normally camp with two adults and two teenagers.
The trailer is well constructed for something with its weight. It weighs a fraction of the HiLo and pulls like it is not even there with our 2007 tundra. I definatly new the HiLo was there even with WDH and sway control but it pulled good on our 2.5 hour trip home. Our TM has never had a leak of any sort and is left outside uncovered. The HiLo seals seem to be tighter and looks like an advantage but it is also 8 years newer. We have never had a bug issue due to the TM seals but I am sure we have some air infiltration and probably the HiLo will also. The back bed on the TM is less convenient to get out of at night for the person in the back and would probably not consider for someone who is not flexiable.
All in all we have enjoyed out TM very much over the last 5 years and will enjoy the HILo into the future. I look at them as two different types of campers. The TM is a very hi class popup and has many advantages over most most other popups that I have seen. The HiLo is a full size travel trailer that lowers for travel to make wind resistance lower.
What is right for you might not be right for me and these items may change over time.

Welcome to our forum Brad. I'm sure you will enjoy your 2806 [Classic?]. We have a 2406 T and have used it just three times and getting ready to hit the road next weekend. I have several posts on this forum for I ran into a pretty big problem with the roof and have just completed placing elastomeric paint over the aluminum roof. I would suggest you check your roof as I found [45] holes, pin size up to almost 1/2". We discovered our problem when we were tearing it down for the winter and found a sagging ceiling in the cabinet over the slide out.

Also check your end caps. If your 2006 model is like ours, they will be plastic rather than fiberglass. I had splits in the front and back end caps both stemming from the screws from the top and going down about 12" and have just completed repairs to both.

I also just changed all the butyl tape around every window and caulked them as well.

It was a lot of work but I feel confident that the Hi Lo will withstand a heavy downpour now without worrying about the roof leaking.

You will find a lot of helpful suggestions here on the forum. Good Luck and Happy Camping.

Jerry Curtis
2406 T

Welcome to the forum. Besure to spend some time reading back posts for preventive maintenance and other good advice. I enjoyed your narative on the TM vs HiLo. You will find our forum members very helpful and good with answering questions. Will you be selling your TM?

I spent a lot of time reading the forum before purchase of 2806c. It is absolutly a great place for info and helped me check over the trailer for purchase. The trailer had some mold and tree sap which I cleaned with Jomax and bleach and a scrub brush and pump up sprayer. Jomax is a great soap and can be found in lots of places that sell paint. I operate a True Value hardware store and we have sold the product for years and I highly recommend it. The trailer looks great.
I had a soft spot around the rear passenger side window. We removed the window as per info found on forum. Replaced with new butyl tape and Lexal clear caulk. Lexal is also as good as everyone claims. The caulk used at the factory is pure trash and I was shocked to see what the condition of it was after 6 years. I have witnessed the Lexal to be as good as new 15 years later. My Mama always said "If a job is worth doing is worth doing it right the first time". We probably replaced 50% of the caulk on the trailer. We will definatly keep an eye on the roof. I have no penetration yet but saw some areas to keep an eye on.
On another note. We have a solar panel and corasponding switch in side. I assume the unit is charging the battery only if the switch is on. Should it be left on all the time even when traveling?
Brad Moss
Taylor, Tx

Welcome to the Forum, Brad! It sounds like you have things well under control there. You should be envied for having a "True Value", things that you have access to can put Home Depot and Lowes to shame. It is too bad that so many people have lost contact with what a hardware store can do that the big boxes can't, and that is "Provide Service". My best friend had a True Value and I went to "work" for him after I retired. All the items that were available in the catalog were assume. We special ordered all the time. If it wasn't hanging on a hook in the other store it didn't exist.

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Great Wife, Joyce
2010 2310H Hi-Lo
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU

Bradd, Welcome to the forum. So glad to hear you have benefited from reading back posts on the forum. When you have to remove and reseal a window you have a chance to see the condition of the interior wall. Was your interior wall wet? What roof do you have alum or rubber? I just love our local Ace True valu hardwear store. It is across town and a little out of the way. I get my Lexell caulk there. They also ordered in the Georgia pacific paneling i needed for my 90 HiLo Classic restoration. They have or can get things you need. Many happy camping trips.