Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 

Go Back   Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum > Hi-Lo Tech > Hydraulic lift system
Click Here to Login

Hydraulic lift system Hydraulic, mechanical and electrical components of the lift system
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-21-2015, 11:03 AM   #1
Member
 
bshetts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 23
Default Replacing bulb seal, adjusting lift cables-Am I insane for attempting this? Any tips?

I have a 2001 1901TL that needs a new bulb seal and the lift cables adjusted.

Question #1 - A friend of mine (very talented repair/general fix it type guy with every tool imaginable) and myself (somewhat handy) are going to attempt to replace the bulb seal and adjust the lift cable, check the blocks, et. Am I insane for attempting this or should I just bite the bullet and pay the $1,200 to have it done?

Question #2 - When the trailer is in the up position should the wood trim on the top half and the bottom half be flush all around the interior of the trailer? ( I have an approximately 1" difference between the height of the trim on the upper half and the lower half with the upper half being lower)

Question #3 - If the answer to Question #2 is yes, is this a cable adjustment issue or is it a different problem?

THANKS!!!
__________________

bshetts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2015, 11:18 AM   #2
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

Having the bulb seal properly making contact is the important thing. The rail matching on the inside is strictly cosmetic. With luck both may come together once properly adjusted.
__________________

__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2015, 11:27 AM   #3
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

Regarding question #2, I support what Rich said exactly. In my trailer, the rear portion tends to match up, but the front portion does not. The rail on the top half is about 3/4 inch below the rail on the bottom half in front. However, the bulb seal is snug all around.

Checking the blocks and adjusting the lift cables is very easy. Just don't shorten the lift cables more than needed to make the blub seal "seal". If you do, you can cause damage to the top half where the cables connect or, you might break the cables or pulleys.

Replacing the bulb seal is a much more complicated task. Look for some posts on in in this forum. I think you have to lift the top clear of the bottom half to do it, but I could be wrong.

- Jack
__________________
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
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2015, 08:19 PM   #4
sam
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Niagara Falls,NY
Posts: 4,051
Default Replacing bulb seal

Here are a couple post that would be helpful.4-3-2010 Replacing the roof gasket. Sam Shields if a retired HiLo service manager. The second one is Cable replacement in My 1998 HiLo24TD 3-3-2010. It has pictures to show how the two by fours are placed and used to separate the halves. Have fun with your repairs.
sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2017, 11:18 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: cobbo
Posts: 239
Default

Is there any reason a replacement bulb seal has to be located inside the wall?
Trailer repairs already taken too much of my time…

I am thinking of putting a bulb type seal below the top. It would touch the sides instead of sealing against the trim.
Other than maybe getting dirty more I don't see why not. Much easier to access and install.

I have another "seal" idea I will mention later…
__________________
1997 22L
Renovation complete!
marininn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2017, 12:35 PM   #6
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

Marininn - That SHOULD work, and yes, it would be much easier to install. It would not seal quite as "tightly", of course as the original design, but I don't see why it would not be satisfactory.

Another member, maestro123 talked about applying a garage door sweep along the bottom edge of the top half, which would probably also work about the same as what you are considering.

Anything that keeps bugs at bay and reduces drafts/dirt infiltration is the goal. It does not hurt to try these approaches.

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2017, 02:11 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Ruston, LA
Posts: 266
Default

I actually decided to leave parts of the damaged original seal in place when i was thinking about this same problem and go with the garage door 'sweep' attached to the lower part of the frame. I'm telling myself this is better because the trailer has the original, not as good as it should be seal, and now a newer seal that is closer to the road and able to keep more grime out.
__________________
--
2000 24' Classic, "We have the technology, we must rebuild it"

Also in the garage, some stuff to pull it:
1999 3/4 ton 'Burb
1993 Roadmaster wagon (well, it probably won't pull it)
r67northern is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2018, 07:01 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: cobbo
Posts: 239
Default

Any pics of the door sweep?
__________________
1997 22L
Renovation complete!
marininn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2018, 08:26 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Ruston, LA
Posts: 266
Default

Here's a quick shot of the door sweep. I have it screwed into the bottom, but also put some gorilla glue (construction adhesive kind) that attaches everything to everything just to give it the best shot possible. I like this glue for some applications like this because it does not require a porous surface to adhere.

Sorry about the image quality, it was dark early this morning when I took the shots.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 39613746201_8f1b9b200a_k.jpg (97.2 KB, 82 views)
File Type: jpg 39613746271_ceae53e07b_k.jpg (142.4 KB, 86 views)
__________________
--
2000 24' Classic, "We have the technology, we must rebuild it"

Also in the garage, some stuff to pull it:
1999 3/4 ton 'Burb
1993 Roadmaster wagon (well, it probably won't pull it)
r67northern is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2018, 01:12 PM   #10
Site Team
 
Treeclimber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SWFL Bonita Springs/Andrews, NC
Posts: 1,264
Default

Looks like it'll work. sure saves a lot of time. Long term mod!
Tree
__________________
Treeclimber
2703 Tow Lite
2002 Escalade
Bonita Springs, Fl. &
Andrews, NC
Treeclimber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2021, 12:49 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Angel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 145
Default

Hello r67northern, I know this is an old post; but can you please tell me, does the garage sweep that you are using as a substitute for the original bulb seal; does it try to catch or does it hang up on the bottom trim of the lower section where it is supposed to seal when in the down position. Thanks.
Angel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2021, 12:01 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Ruston, LA
Posts: 266
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel View Post
Hello r67northern, I know this is an old post; but can you please tell me, does the garage sweep that you are using as a substitute for the original bulb seal; does it try to catch or does it hang up on the bottom trim of the lower section where it is supposed to seal when in the down position. Thanks.
Hello Angel - I've had these on the trailer for a few years now and they're doing pretty well. When it's traveling up or down, it can "roll over" itself a bit on the sliding end, but it doesn't seem to catch on much. It's biggest complaint seems to be traversing the water heater grating over on the sink side. Even then, it just makes some noise.

When it rolls over the gray colored-molding that is where the bulb seal rests it makes some noise then too, but then goes back to sliding pretty well. All in all, so far so good. Let me know if you have any other questions.

-Leland
__________________
--
2000 24' Classic, "We have the technology, we must rebuild it"

Also in the garage, some stuff to pull it:
1999 3/4 ton 'Burb
1993 Roadmaster wagon (well, it probably won't pull it)
r67northern is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2021, 08:20 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Niagara Falls
Posts: 352
Default Just wondering

Do you get any dirt in the HiLo after you take it out on the road.? We did our 1990 seal replacement. Not perfect as far as dirt after traveling. Even the seal by J&r lets in a slight film of dirt. Still love our HiLo no matter what!! Have gone camping four times this year.
Usagi5678 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2021, 10:57 PM   #14
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

If we drive over dirt roads, there's quite a bit of dust inside the trailer. Not too much though if we stay on paved roads.

- Jack
__________________
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
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2021, 08:22 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Angel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 145
Default

Hello r67northern, thanks for your reply, I have a couple more questions about the garage door sweep that you used; I know it's been years since you installed it, but would you remember the brand or item/part number used? Did you get it at HD, Lowe's, or elsewhere? And also did it come with screws to attach it? I know some come with nails but I don't know if nails can be used on the underside of top halve. Also on the pictures you posted it looks like you used screws with large washers, then smaller screws in between, Thanks.
Angel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2021, 08:26 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Ruston, LA
Posts: 266
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel View Post
Hello r67northern, thanks for your reply, I have a couple more questions about the garage door sweep that you used; I know it's been years since you installed it, but would you remember the brand or item/part number used? Did you get it at HD, Lowe's, or elsewhere? And also did it come with screws to attach it? I know some come with nails but I don't know if nails can be used on the underside of top halve. Also on the pictures you posted it looks like you used screws with large washers, then smaller screws in between, Thanks.
Hi Angel

I “think” it was a Lowe’s item and it probably took two of them. I cut it out to fit around the slides on the trailer walls so it doesn’t bind there. Now, since I had previously removed the metal covers that are over that long wood beam on the bottom of the top section, it was fairly easy to use some of the nails that they included in the kit to hold the sweep in place. Then I went back over with some additional screws to help out.

If I had the original metal covers still in place, I would probably apply some of the Gorilla glue caulk (which I also used) and then, working with a partner, get some holding screws in place and then go back and fill in the gaps. I would assume the nails wouldn’t be happy going through the metal cover on that beam, even though it is then gauge.

Also - I haven’t noticed much dirt intrusion … but I haven’t gone down gravel roads either so I haven’t stressed it too much.

Hope that helps,
Leland
__________________
--
2000 24' Classic, "We have the technology, we must rebuild it"

Also in the garage, some stuff to pull it:
1999 3/4 ton 'Burb
1993 Roadmaster wagon (well, it probably won't pull it)
r67northern is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2021, 10:09 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Niagara Falls
Posts: 352
Default Replacing seal

It is much better if two people work on this job. It is hard to roll and hold a length of material. We don't go down dirt roads. When you get to your campsite do a test for dirt. Wipe a small section of wood/trim with your favorite cleaner.I wait to do a cleaning until I am packing up to leave.
__________________

Usagi5678 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×