Top half rebuild - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

bugman · 10-25-2010, 10:56 PM

I got a 1998 21' Tow Lite about three months ago. Had to do a complete top half rebuild due to water damage. It turned out great, but I realized after we finished that the bunk bed was a little high to crawl into. Is there supposed to be a ladder with this camper?

I will post pics when I figure out how.

bugman · 10-25-2010, 11:16 PM

I figured it out. One more post should get it done.

bugman · 10-25-2010, 11:23 PM

This is my 1998 21tl after rebuild was completed.

kwdstalker · 10-26-2010, 07:25 AM

looks like you found your calling.very nice job.

PopRichie77 · 10-26-2010, 10:19 AM

Very nice job.
There is no ladder that I have ever seen, also never saw an option for one, but doesn't mean there wasn't one.

JackandJanet · 10-26-2010, 10:28 AM

Wow, just wow! Beautiful work!

There was no ladder with our trailer and it has a factory installed bunk.

- Jack

PaulS · 10-26-2010, 10:29 AM

Hats off to you Very nice job, same camper model as mine but done in the blue fabrics.

PaulS · 10-26-2010, 10:33 AM

mine does not have a ladder either, i do not think they even had one i can look in all my paperwork and books.

Jeff H · 10-26-2010, 01:43 PM

Wow-you did a great job on the rebuild! How long did it take you to do it?

Jeff

bugman · 10-26-2010, 10:06 PM

It took about 4 weeks to get this camper back together, then about ten days to seal, calk. hang curtains, etc. My seventy-eight year old father (pictured installing window) worked every day and I helped in the evenings and weekends. I also took 5 full days off to help speed it up.
Before we tried the repair, I got 2 estimates from professionals. One was for $5ooo labor and the other was $4500. I now understand why. Overall it was a good time spent with my dad that ended with feeling of acomplishment.
This forum and the guys at J & R were a great help. My wife and I can't wait to try this thing out.
By the way; it looks like I'm going end up with about $1600.00 total in in this camper. My friend gave it to me because of its condition. I am blessed!

sting32 · 10-27-2010, 08:22 AM

Get yourself one of those 2 step foldable ladders that people use inthe kitchen, you know with the almost 2ft wide top step, that you can fold and lay on the bed when not in use. the big top step aides in getting OUT of bed, lol. Like this one
Walmart.com: Cosco Lite Solutions 2-Step Stepstool: Tools

JMDoering · 10-27-2010, 03:34 PM

Our 1969 Bon Voyage came with a swivel-down bunk, and a ladder. The ladder is a seperate piece and Hi-Lo designed it to double as a safety fence for the bunk (presumeably when used for kids). Basically its a simple four and a half foot aluminum ladder, about 14 inches wide, with rubber coated hooks at the top that hook over the edge rail on the bunk. One side of the ladder has two pieces of deep aluminum channel that slip over the side rail when the ladder is rigged to be a safety fence. Its stores laying flat and on top of the bunk when not in use. Puzzling why HiLo stopped offering the ladder option; they had a great idea.

We're on an extended vacation at present and away from our 1969 Hi-Lo, or I'd attach a picture. When we return I'll respond again with a photo.

Bug, with your skills, you'll be able to put together a duplicate ladder once you see a photo of it.

Jim

Nice work on your rebuild!

NDgent · 10-27-2010, 06:25 PM

You can purchase a Serco Aluminum 60 inch ladder online that should meet your needs: Manufacture Surco Inc. - Your source for Chair racks and accessories. - www.surcoinc.com , Tweetys Tweetys.com - RV Parts & Accessories - RV Hitches - Warn Products - Bunk Ladders for about $65.00.

lincow · 03-01-2012, 01:26 PM

What did material did you use for the interior walls? You did a great job.
Linda

bugman · 03-01-2012, 11:04 PM

Thanks, I got it at lowes. It is called "white polywall". I think is is made for bathroom walls or other areas that need waterproof walls. I used it to replace all wood in the walls. If it ever does leak again it shouldn't seperate. It is all glued then pressed together using Gorilla Glue. Seems to be holding up fine.

Garry · 07-06-2014, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugman

It took about 4 weeks to get this camper back together, then about ten days to seal, calk. hang curtains, etc. My seventy-eight year old father (pictured installing window) worked every day and I helped in the evenings and weekends. I also took 5 full days off to help speed it up.
Before we tried the repair, I got 2 estimates from professionals. One was for $5ooo labor and the other was $4500. I now understand why. Overall it was a good time spent with my dad that ended with feeling of acomplishment.
This forum and the guys at J & R were a great help. My wife and I can't wait to try this thing out.
By the way; it looks like I'm going end up with about $1600.00 total in in this camper. My friend gave it to me because of its condition. I am blessed!

Wow! My hat is off to you bugman, as well as Sam and all others that have completed remodels on their Hi Lo's/Tow Lites. I consider myself a good woodworker, having built several large covered patios, entertainment center, Murphy beds and numerous other projects, but I would never try a remodel that you and Sam have gone through. You did an excellent job!!

sam · 07-06-2014, 07:20 PM

Our was defeniately a repair due to warped soft walls from water damage. Moral of the story reset/reseal all of your windows to hopefully prevent water damage. Isn't hindsight a great thing!!!! We had no choice but to repair as we couldn't afford another HiLo or the price to have it sent into a shop.

labrazell · 07-15-2014, 05:43 PM

This looks great! I just bought a 98 TowLite that had a bad re-do on the upper back side. This is the first photo I've seen of what it's supposed to look like! Thank you!

miniceptor86 · 07-17-2014, 07:34 AM

Hey Bugman,

Nice job on your major undertaking!

smiley · 07-17-2014, 10:24 AM

we also want a ladder. looks like the kids are going to climb on the fridge for now. there is no room to store a ladder on the bunk when it is up in ours. the mattress goes all the way to the ceiling. kind of stinks as we hoped to leave the sleeping bags and pillows up there. i am too tall to sit in dinette with the bed down so it has to go up. the rest of the family dont have that problem. i like the description of the old style that doubles as a fence. i may try to make something from an old wood ladder. i also thought of taking a short aluminum step ladder i have and modifying it to do the job. just hate to have all this stuff in the camper.