Hello,
I bought my first HiLo last summer (1989 FunChaser). I used it twice and had no issues with the lift system. Now, when I try to raise the unit, it smoothly lifts over halfway and then begins making a screeching noise, and then it stops 6 inches to a foot short. It lowers with no problem. When i try to raise it again, same result (begins screeching about halfway up and comes to a halt. My hydraulic jack does not appear to have a manual attachment, so i cant pump it all the way up myself. The top seems to lift pretty level. I put some extra transmission fluid in the pump. I guess it made it too full, so some of it relieved out under the camper. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the forum. First place to start is to make sure your battery is fully charged. It should be a marine type deep cycle battery. Also, make sure your hydraulic reservoir is properly serviced. It should be about 1/2" to 1" from the top when in the lowered position.

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"Ruben"
2404T, 2003 2500HD 4X4 GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab w/Astro camper shell and 2003 Chevy Tahoe LE 4X2
Far West Texas

I'm going to give an alternate suggestion. The screeching noise you are hearing MIGHT be the relief valve opening to prevent damage when the top reaches an obstacle it can't get past. You MAY have something caught between the top and bottom halves that is stopping movement or something might be "binding" between them.

If you get inside the trailer with the top up as far as it will go and remove the upper interior trim strips that run along top of the lower half, you'll expose the pulleys and will be able to see down between the halves. Look for anything that might be interfering with movement and check the condition of the cables near the pulleys.

The other possibility, and this one is harder to correct, is something wrong with the guide bar underneath the trailer. If it has become bent, or possibly if it is badly corroded so that it causes too much friction near the end of its run, you might get the symptoms you describe.

It sounds to me like your battery is fine and that you've eliminated the low hydraulic fluid possibility in your post. If Ruben's ideas check out and you still are having no luck, try what I'm suggesting.

- Jack

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Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System
2014 F150 Platinum 4x4 3.5L EcoBoost SCrew

Good news, I think. It was actually over a quart low of tran fluid. It goes up and down just fine now. Have to admit that I'm a rookie at hydraulics. I wonder if the other day, when i left the camper halfway up and filled it, if it just turned around and pushed all of that fluid out on the ground. I filled it, very slowly, as it has to bubble and gurgle, with the unit all of the way down; and it drank up a quart. Previous owner did tell me it leaked a little and he had to top it off on each trip. Thank you so much for the quick replies and assistance!

That's great, rvtim! glad to hear the problem was "minor". You should probably try to find the source of the leak and fix it. Topping the hydraulic fluid off after a trip is not a big deal, but you don't want a total pressure failure caused by the leak getting worse.

When the system is in "good shape" there are NO hydraulic leaks.

- Jack

We had almost same experience - look for nicknacks. statues, pie plates etc. sitting on ledge inside top rim ! that lift system can act like a compactor but stops eventually.

I had a similar issue where it would just seem to get tired about half way up. I would stop and go do something else, then come back and finish the job. After two years of this, I got underneath. Found a previous owner had backed into a rock or something and bent one of the lower cable pulleys. The cable was actually running between the pulley and the bent mounting bracket, so quite a bit of friction. I straightened the bracket, put the cable back on the pulley, and no more issues. As has been stated, most things on a hi-lo are simple. You just need to find the source of the issue with a litttle sluething.