Hydraulic issues - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

desconss · 10-26-2015, 10:04 AM

Members,:confused
My 2007 HI-Lo is in the down position. I can't get to my batteries (which are
dead) to jump or charge them. My hydraulic manual pump won't lift the top.
My manual lowering knob is tight in the clockwise position. My fluid is up, I keep pumping, nothing happens. I need help, what can I do to get the top up?
Thanks
John

JackandJanet · 10-26-2015, 10:47 AM

Hi John. Welcome to the forum.

I've never used the manual lowering knob at all, so know nothing about it. But, I've raised my top without difficulty using the manual pump. Have you tried moving the lowering knob to the opposite position? I honestly cannot think of anything other than that port being open that would stop the top from lifting if it has been working fine up to now. I would not expect you to have had a sudden hydraulic leak that drained all your fluid.

I'm assuming you've had the master switch in the "top movement" position (probably pushed in at the bottom in your model year trailer). Do you hear the lifting pump function at all when you push the lifting button?

Is there any way you can connect shore power to your trailer? If you leave it plugged in overnight, the battery may accept enough of a charge to get the top at least part way up. You can plug the trailer in to any 15-20A outlet with a suitable adapter for the trailer power cord. You can buy one if you don't have one at places such as ACE hardware. Just make sure you get a 30 to 15A adapter.

If nothing works, you'll probably have to get some farm jacks to lift it. (One at each corner.)

- Jack

desconss · 10-26-2015, 12:48 PM

Thanks Jack,
You've given me some ammunition I will apply when I return to the trailer
this afternoon. Thanks for the info, I will let you know how it turns out.
John

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackandJanet

Hi John. Welcome to the forum.

I've never used the manual lowering knob at all, so know nothing about it. But, I've raised my top without difficulty using the manual pump. Have you tried moving the lowering knob to the opposite position? I honestly cannot think of anything other than that port being open that would stop the top from lifting if it has been working fine up to now. I would not expect you to have had a sudden hydraulic leak that drained all your fluid.

I'm assuming you've had the master switch in the "top movement" position (probably pushed in at the bottom in your model year trailer). Do you hear the lifting pump function at all when you push the lifting button?

Is there any way you can connect shore power to your trailer? If you leave it plugged in overnight, the battery may accept enough of a charge to get the top at least part way up. You can plug the trailer in to any 15-20A outlet with a suitable adapter for the trailer power cord. You can buy one if you don't have one at places such as ACE hardware. Just make sure you get a 30 to 15A adapter.

If nothing works, you'll probably have to get some farm jacks to lift it. (One at each corner.)

- Jack

Jeff H · 10-26-2015, 01:39 PM

My former 2007 22T had a hinge on the battery compartment cover, which allowed for access to the battery cables when the top was down. Hopefully you have the same set-up.

Jeff

JackandJanet · 10-26-2015, 03:24 PM

Jeff, I'm sure he has the same hinged part that you and I have, but I know in my case, it's pretty hard to get to one of the battery terminals through it. That terminal is back under the part that's held down by the trailer top. Still, you MIGHT be able to reach under it and attach a cable.

I think though, in my case, that the positive battery terminal was the one that was accessible through the hinged top. If so, you could attach a jumper cable to it and then attach the negative cable end to any convenient ground on the trailer.

And John, back when I went through a couple of dead batteries, I found that the tow vehicle was almost useless for recharging the battery. The 10 gauge wire that is provided to the trailer plug just doesn't let enough current through to do it in any reasonable time. It's also possible I'd already blown the fuse in the charging circuit by trying to raise the top with the tow vehicle connected. The top raising motor pulls more current than the 30A charging circuit fuse allows. Anyway, I know it didn't work, and I manually raised the top.

- Jack

RichR · 10-26-2015, 04:31 PM

You can hook a jumper cable to the solenoid on the lift pump where the positive cable comes from the battery. It should be reachable with only the front hatch opened. Then find a nearby ground. I believe the case of the pump is grounded, there is a wire coming from under where the pump is bolted down.

desconss · 10-27-2015, 08:00 AM

Thanks to all of you guys for the advise. I'll try attaching
to the hot side of the solenoid.
John

hilltool · 10-27-2015, 09:07 PM

With my dual battery set up I always install with positive in front on one battery and negative in front on the other battery so if I need to get in under the " flap" with cables I can do so. Won't help you now but something to think about in the future.

Rick