1990 Funlite complete rebuild - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Greenberet496 · 11-06-2016, 06:35 PM

So the other day I decided to buy my Father-in-laws hi-lo. (Big Mistake). I knew it need some work but as I started into the repairs it seemed to be never ending. So now the entire camper is torn apart. 80% of the roof square tubing needs replaced. 50-60% of the walls need it and the floor had multiple locations that were rotting. So here are some photos of what it looks like right now. I have it sitting in my airplane hangar.

Greenberet496 · 11-06-2016, 06:43 PM

Here are some photos of it so far

Greenberet496 · 11-06-2016, 06:47 PM

Photos of the upper frame damage

Greenberet496 · 11-06-2016, 08:15 PM

Well I am in need of a few items for this rebuild and perhaps you guys can assist. I will need new cables and pulleys. Is there a realitvitly inexpensive place to get these? As far as cutting and such or technical issues ahould not be a huge issue I am fairly mechanically inclined. Also a toilet flange I had to cut my old one out. What is the procedure to remove the old flange from the black water tank and glue in a new one. Thanks

sam · 11-06-2016, 09:27 PM

Since you admit this is a big mistake,I concur. You could pick up a used HiLo in better shape. Your $ would be better spent this way. Sorry to have such harsh advice for you.

Greenberet496 · 11-06-2016, 09:40 PM

But at least when I am done I will have one super trailer. Lol

r67northern · 11-07-2016, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenberet496

But at least when I am done I will have one super trailer. Lol

Agreed - go for it. I'm starting to tear into a 2000 24' - I'll start a thread here in a bit. So far I haven't been that impressed with the original build quality - so we can try and make these things better as we go.

Garry · 11-07-2016, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenberet496

But at least when I am done I will have one super trailer. Lol

You do have a BIG project on your hands, but at least you have a place where you can work on it and I look forward to pictures when you finish. I'm no help with your questions.

ltblueblzr · 11-09-2016, 07:21 AM

sort of looks like the one I have, need to check the walls also, some of the beams there needs replaced on mine also. I have pics in the photos. but you have lots of options you can do/upgrade. Also good time to add brackets for solar panels at a later date.

Greenberet496 · 11-09-2016, 02:02 PM

The bottom half walls are 95% in tact. The upper are will need 30% replaced. The ceiling is going to need it all. I do plan on adding solar during this restore. Right now we have a bare frame on the bottom half and are getting. Ready to sand blast, prime and paint it. I plan on using 1 or 2 inch foam panels under the bottom to add some iunsulation. And the floor will be 3/4 advantech with some sort of water blocker in it. Thinking about thick plastic around the edges. I am open to suggestions on that one. Also I am still looking for a reasonable place to purchase cables and pulleys. Thanks guys

sam · 11-09-2016, 08:19 PM

J&R in Ohio is a repair place for parts. Also Midget RV in Ohio is another place for parts. Can't guarantee they will be cheap. Try this doccument. You may be able to use some information. Cable replacement in my 1998 HiLo 24TD 3-3-2010. Thus is fifteen pages of instruction with color pictures. We have rebuilt our 1990 25ft. Classic (upper walls.) We didn't use any plastic. Best of luck with your repairs.

Greenberet496 · 11-16-2016, 06:12 PM

Well I have her tore all the way down to the bare metal on the bottom half. Tomorrow the trailer will be picked up sandblasted and painted. Then after I find some reasonably priced cables and pulleys I will start laying in the new floor. Speaking of which any suggestions on what to treat the new wood with to help keep it from rotting. Thanks

r67northern · 11-16-2016, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenberet496

Well I have her tore all the way down to the bare metal on the bottom half. Tomorrow the trailer will be picked up sandblasted and painted. Then after I find some reasonably priced cables and pulleys I will start laying in the new floor. Speaking of which any suggestions on what to treat the new wood with to help keep it from rotting. Thanks

Sounds like you're getting ready to start building it back up again. That's got to be a good feeling. I'll listen in on the suggestions about painting, I'm going to be facing that soon too with a new support beam in the 2000 Classic.

Treeclimber · 11-17-2016, 07:36 AM

I'm truly impressed with both of you! TWO major rebuilds at the same time. This should inspire anyone with a bit of "Do It Yourself" experience, tools and time to go for it.
Thanks to both of you.
Tree

Greenberet496 · 11-19-2016, 06:29 PM

More is coming together. Today my father in law and I were working. We were lowing the top section down in order to start taking the sides off. Well it fell on top of him. Luckily no one got hurt. I have also found a local guy to sand blast the bare metal of the trailer and paint it for $300. So that is cool. After searching for new cables it appears I will have to build my own. The guys at JR were great in helping but the price was a bit much 63 a cable and 9-30 a pulley. I need to stay under 250 for those parts. On another note I need to repair my black water tank any suggestions. Thanks

Greenberet496 · 11-19-2016, 06:30 PM

Here are a few more photos

sam · 11-19-2016, 10:42 PM

A member of our HiLo club got aircraft cable and related parts for about $18.00. See if you can gleen anything from this post. Cable replacement in my 1998 HiLo24TD. 3-3-2010. Keep on doing your restoration without any accidents.

hilohilo · 03-23-2017, 08:02 PM

Not too late to run away. I agree with other guy, cheaper to just buy another used one. But, I have done significant repairs, not as bad as yours, but know the feeling. Keep us posted as Im sure you will fix things others will need to know, err, you will fix EVERYTHING!

Kellisgirl · 06-07-2017, 12:58 AM

My husband and I bought an '89 about three weeks ago in similar shape. And somebody had tried to hide the damage by painting the interior navy blue...
Ah, well. We're up to it. And not to sound sorrowful, but we really have no choice. We needed a place to live, so here we are.
Person we purchased from said a bear had tried to get in through the bathroom vent. But the interior looks like it may have spent a Winter or two exposed to the elements.
Bathroom is shot - cabinets were water damaged, floor is soft, sink cabinet is almost powder.
Kitchen cabinets were painted with a pretty good primer, so very little damage, but again, the floor is toast.
An interior rebuild isn't terribly intimidating. We have some experience. However, the lift mechanism hasn't been lubed in many years. One of the cables wasn't on its pulley (found THAT in a kitchen drawer) and the guide bar literally screamed when we tried to lift it.
It tows decently. And we've slept in it, pretty comfortably, after vacuuming, scrubbing and dousing every available surface with Lysol.
But...everything is so sad.
Notable exceptions: the fridge works perfectly in two of the three modes. Water pump and electric outlets work. Vent above the stove runs. Battery lights work. And amazingly, the grey velvet upholstery on the dining cushions and sofa bed is in excellent condition - no mildew, no rips, just a bit stained. So, there art thou hopeful.
My intention is to keep a visual record of what we do - very likely a remodel more than a restore. (Who uses a closet when they camp??)
So please keep posting those pictures. I need ALL the advice and help I can get!

sam · 06-07-2017, 07:20 PM

I would suggest some type of upholstery cleaner with oxiclean in it. This might take care of the stains. Best of luck with your repairs. Our forum members are very good with advice/guidance. You are not the first person to do a major rebuild. Keep us posted.