Dee - I agree with you regarding using a ramp vs using a jack. I'd ALWAYS use the ramp method to change tires if I had tandem axles. Much safer and easier than using any kind of jack.

But, I think the reason to disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle has to do with a weight distributing hitch. The effect of one of these is to limit side to side "tilting" of the trailer, which would happen if you raised one side. I think before jacking or driving up on to a ramp, it would be wise to at least disconnect the weight distributing bars.

- Jack

Dee,

We were working with the premise that Lucky Dog is replacing all 4 tires at a tire shop and doesn't have a ramp. We also wanted to aleviate any possible mistakes done by inexperienced tire shop technicians.

Our first Hi-Lo had a bent frame probably the result of such an error. We knew that if the lower door opened and closed then the trailer was as level as it was going to get.

Jack, great minds think alike!! (LOL). You will note that I mentioned that step in my above message. You read my mind and set forth the reason for disconnecting the weight distribution bars.

Around 2002 my husband changed a tire on the side of I-26 on our old single axle heavy popup camper with lots of traffic racing past and used a jack. On this camper, the tire was set deep into the body of the camper, and the camper was low to the ground. He will tell you it was hell changing that tire. That was when we vowed never to own a single axle camper again.

Dee

Les, believe me, tire companies have tire ramps. It may take longer for the tire company technicians to use the ramp for each tire, but it is worth your peace of mind that they are not messing with the frame using a jack. We had four new tires put on last year, and dear husband stuck around and watched them to make sure they did it "his" way. If they had denied him access to the bay, he would have taken his business elsewhere. Of course, since he is retired, he has the time to stick around to make sure the job is done right.

Dee

Was this a private party sale or did you find at a dealer? I'm just starting to research for a hi-low, but it seems most for sale are hundreds or thousands of miles away (I'm in Sacramento, CA). We would want to see in person before buying and just cannot see driving 700+ miles to just look. Thanks!

Hi Slouie,

This was a private party sale. I hear you on the problem of finding a trailer in California, as they seem to be rather sparse, but keep looking as they do pop up now and then. We gave ourselves a drive time limit of about 6 hours to search in which, for us, would get us as far as Phoenix, St George Utah, Reno, and Las Vegas.

I checked several websites daily such as Craigslist, e-bay, RV Trader, Oodle, and this forum, of course! Have you posted a wanted ad on this site?

There are several up in Oregon right now on C/L such as this one in Medford which is less than 5 hours from you:

https://medford.craigslist.org/rvs/4457179130.html

Just do a search on C/L for "Hi Lo" and some may pop up in the various areas you search. I found I get better results for some reason by leaving out the hypen in Hi-Lo. You may see more near the end of the camping season.

Good Luck!

Also try HiLo without the space, that is the proper spelling.

Hi Rich,

I found when I did it that way I either got no results or something to do with Hilo, Hawaii. Hmmm . . . I wonder if I could haul a HiLo to Hilo??? :)

I have had that happen as well. You could mount one on a pontoon boat and call it a redneck yacht. :D

no jack for tow vehicle? No problem...just find a guard rail...

Ouch- think I'll pass on that method!

Well, just installed the Prodigy P3 brake controller in the Tahoe. I'm just waiting to see if it goes into sleep mode after some time. I called the rep and he said it should sleep after about 20 minutes.

Found a real useful video on You Tube which aided in the install. This is for the P2 but pretty much the same, I think:

How to install a trailer brake controller in a GM Truck or SUV - YouTube

Of course I can't really test it until I have a trailer hooked up. Launch time is 0500 tomorrow morning to make the 5+ hour trip to Sonora. Prayers are welcomed!

Congrats, and you think you can sleep tonight?

Confirming the brake controller went into sleep mode, not sure if I'll be able to! :D

Just to clarify, this was NOT me, lol! I saw this somewhere and saved the pic. I thought it was pretty quick thinking for a redneck floor jack!

Hi all,

Just got home safely a couple hours ago with our new (to us) Hi-Lo! :D Photos to follow on a new thread.