Cables
 

How do you go about lubricating the cables? Hubby is going to work on the door this weekend and I thought if I could find out how to do the cables we could get that done too. Not sure when the cables were checked, we just got this HiLo in January.
Thanks,
Becky:)

I use a spray silicone lubricant on mine act least once a yr. and use all purpose grease on the hydralic shaft. make sure pump moter tank is also full to 1/2 inch from top with hydralic fluid.

Becky,
You can spray the cables with WD-40 and wipe them down with an oil soaked rag. They also make a cable oiler. It's a little device you clamp on the cable and force lube into. Sometimes hard to find but I did see them at Harbor Freight. I use Tri-Flow to lube my cables, which is a teflon based lube. Make sure you use a rag to wipe the cable down that way you can check for frays at the same time, which the rag will catch on if you do have frays.

Hi Becky,

The bulk of the work is done from underneath the trailer. What I do is to back the trailer onto leveling boards or the "lego" plastic blocks to elevate the trailer. This gives you some "wiggle room". I use PB Blaster or WD40 as the lubricant. Spray a rag with the lubricant and hold it to one side of the cable while you spray the cable directly. Run the rag up and down the cable where you sprayed it. By spraying the rag first, it will not be dry and remove the lubricant from the cable. The rag will also tell you if your cables are fraying because it will snag on the broken wires if there are any. Do this to all the exposed cables. Spray the bolts that go thru the pullies. Earlier HiLo's had metal pullies and then they switched to a "rubberized plastic" pulley. While you are under there, check the cylinder ram and guide bar. Make sure they are clean and not rusted or dirtied up. Use lithium grease on them. Depending on the location of your holding tanks, the cables might run above them. If so, raise or lower the trailer to get that section of the cables exposed so you can lubricate them. That takes care of the bottom. Now for the top side. On the inside, remove the wooden trim piece that runs along the top of the bottom half. Usually they are screwed on. This will expose the upper pulley and the top half of the cable. Spray the pulley and the cable. Let the lubricant run down the cable. You can't rub this section down with the rag. Do this for the other three cables, replace the wooden trim piece, and you are done. I'm not saying that this is the proper or correct way to do the cables, but it is the way I do mine.

Bob

Cables
 

Check out the library. It has some good pictures and information on the cabIles. We had to repair our trailer door on our 90 Hi-Lo.I used contact paper to put over the new wood..It took us several days to fabricate and glue. The repair was better than the original door. Wish I had thought to take pictures.

Lubing the Cables from inside the trailer !!
 

When my two rear cables failed, they parted right at the pulley under the trim that Bob mentioned earler. Based on my experience, I'd say the most important place to lube the cable is under that wooden trim piece, inside the trailer. The cable makes a complete U-Turn around that pulley, so it's also it's the point of greatest wear & strain.
- Remove the trim - lube that pulley and cable!

I was able to lube all the cables and pulleys underneath. However, in my 2008 22T, it looks like the trim piece over the back pulleys and cables up top goes under the bathroom wall. So, I am guessing it would not be easy to just take out the screws and lift it off. Has anyone lifted those trim pieces off successfully in a 2008 22T ?

If the trim does go under the wall you can cut it in two using the multi-tool that you see advertised on tv. This is an amazing tool when doing trim work and remodeling work. These tools are sold at Lowes, Home Depot, Sears and other stores.

replace cables
 

We have an "84" Hi Lo and ordered new Cables years ago. They do not have directions to set up. Does anyone know how?

Try this post from Neal and Bev: https://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/...1998-24td-125/ It has a pdf file with lots of info.

Cable Lubrication
 

I have a 2005 Hi-Lo. I have lubricated the pulley's of the trailer. However the unit still squeals when raising and lowering the unit. So I have read in the forum that the cables can be lubricated directly. Mine still have a plastic covering on them. What lubricant should I use on them?

I got rid of the minor squeal that mine had by lubricating the guide rails on the sides of the lower body with white Teflon grease.

Thank you!

Thanks
 

Thank you for restarting this thread again. Lots of good info here.

Later Tim

I like to keep up with scheduled maintenance on my RV. It is critical that everything be lubricated and functional when it is stored for the winter in Michigan. I will be bringing it home from storage in October to winterize it. The things I have on my list are lubricating the hydrolic rod, WD-40 the pulleys, and to lubricate the guide rails with white Teflon grease. When I put it away we are going to cover it with a nylon cover, put the tires on blocks and cover them, and winterize the plumbing. Did I leave anything out? The lithium grease I use on the hydrolic rod is not white but it is lithium grease does the white make a difference?

Mike

Grease should not be put on the glide rails, it collects dust and dirt and will wear the plastic glide blocks. Paraffin wax is what is recommended for them. They are aluminum and will not rust. Grease is needed on the hydraulic guide bar, also the cables should be lubricated to keep them from rusting.

Lubricant goes directly on the cables? What type of lubricant should I use? I watched Sting's videos and it says to use WD-40 on the pulleys and to be careful not to get it on the corner of the cables because it will turn the curtains brown. Now I am a little confused. :confused:

You can skip the lubricant on the end of the cables that come near the curtains if you prefer, but the rest of the cables that are under the trailer need to be lubricated. I use chain and cable lubricant but anything is better than nothing. Don't use grease, any oil of your choice will be ok, oil soaks into the cable, lubes and protects it.

Thank you again!!

Lubing cables
 

A forum member recommended "break free spray". I amable to purchase this at WallMart in the sporting goods/gun section. It is a cleaner,lubricant and protector. We have used this for many years.