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


General Hi-Lo camper discussion The perfect place to discuss your Hi-Lo camper
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-20-2021, 03:15 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Calgary
Posts: 30
Default hilo vs towlite etc

I have seen some ads posted referring to a unit being a towlite, Hi-lo, or funlite. I'm just wondering were these just made in different years and named differently at the time, or could you find these from the same year? For instance was there a towlite 17' and a hi-lo 17' in the same given year?
__________________

ssheffel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2021, 05:26 PM   #2
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

They were distinctly different models with different quality and weight levels. Hi-Lo was the original model with the highest quality materials and trim, it eventually became known as the "Classic" model. The Funlite was lighter-weight model that came out in about 1987. The Towlight came out in 1992 and it was the lightest and lowest priced model. It had a wood framework initially but eventually replaced it with an aluminum framework in the walls. The Funlite was phased out after the Towlite came into its own.

Here is a link to the brochures that Hi-Lo had over the years. I'm sure you will find it interesting. The brochures are in PDF format.

http://https://www.hilotrailerforum....llection-5123/
__________________

__________________
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 02-20-2021, 07:17 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Calgary
Posts: 30
Default

Thanks Rich. So it appears the smallest the classic line would have come in for the years 2002 - 2006 would have been the 23' model. As I am looking for a 17 or 19 from those years, I will be getting a towlite.
ssheffel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2021, 11:42 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 391
Default

Sheffield, ... and with a single axle.
Dee Tillotson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2021, 10:28 PM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: NJ
Posts: 85
Default

Dee, just wondering why you prefer a single axle. We have a 2203T with two axles. I like 4 tires over just two. With 4 wheels I could limp to a safe place to change a flat. And the second wheel makes it easier to change a wheel, just roll the good tire up on blocks and the other (problem) wheel is high enough from the ground to remove and replace. Tom
Trblandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2021, 04:15 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 391
Default

Trblandy -- that was just to remind ssheffel that the Hi-Lo 17-foot and 19-foot are equipped with a single axle. And the placement of that one axle should be perfect: we have had at least one member here who had to move the placement of the single axle to correct towing problems.

Yes, you are right; our Hi-Lo 2509C Classic we purchased new from the factory in Ohio has double axles; all we have had to do is roll one tire up on a portable tire ramp which leaves the flat hanging, change the flat, and roll the supporting tire back down the ramp, and off we go.

Your 2203T is probably the smallest Towlite Hi-Lo made with dual axles.
Dee Tillotson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2021, 08:56 AM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Calgary
Posts: 30
Default

I am restricted by a 19' length garage which I can probably move a wall to get max 21'. So that handcuffs me to the 17T or 19T models. I'd have one by now if I could get to the States, but complications with the border due to Covid are preventing my travel.

Double axle sounds great but is not an option for me due to the length of those units.
ssheffel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2021, 09:42 AM   #8
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,548
Default

I'd prefer tandem axles too, for the reasons Dee so eloquently cited, but there ARE a couple "cons" to them too. They're more expensive - you have 4 tires, 4 bearing sets and 4 brake assemblies to periodically service and or replace. AND, you have to be very careful to get the trailer as level as you can while towing. Otherwise, if the nose is high, the rear axle on the trailer is carrying more weight and the reverse is true if the nose is low. Since each axle/wheel combination has a fairly low individual weight carrying capacity, it would be relatively easy to overload one of them if the trailer was not level.

A good Weight Distributing Hitch (WDH) makes leveling a trailer easy, but I've seen lots of trailers set up improperly with a WDH, usually, nose-low.

- 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
Reply


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 08:49 AM.


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