What did you do to your HiLo Today?
 

I hung all six metal blinds over my clothes line. Kind of heavy with the header clothes pined to the line. Fun doing this by my self. The weather was cooperative at 72degrees with no wind and sunshine. Ended up spraying about three coats on each side. Came out 95% good. Certainly better than blinds with the coating missing. Used 8 cans of spray paint at about $34.00 total cost. The next spray paint project will be to remove the exterior plastic trim that cover some wires. Just old age,nothing that a little TLC can't cure. A chance of rain every day and humid.

Sam, at a small risk of showing off, the only thing we did was clean the toilet area and sit and drink coffee before halibut fishing. We're still in Alaska, Homer to be exact. And I'm glad your blinds are turning out good. Only you will know where the blemishes are.

I worked on making a removable backup camera and monitor system for the Tundra and Hi-lo.

We took our Hi-Lo camping! :)

Jim

Brand new to the HiLo crowd, we just purchase a '72 yesterday. the guy we bought it from dumped loads of money into to it, but just wasn't able to camp any longer:( Sad for him, but good for us. We cleaned ours today and spent some time trying to get the fridge working. May need to go back to the folks that worked on it for the last owner for some help with it.

We took the UFO out over the weekend to get her some exercise, let her stretch her legs and all that. :D

Went camping locally just to get away from the hose for a bit.

Tell us about the fridge, maybe we can help!

We just arrived home after our 2.5 month sojourn.
8,200 miles with NO TV or hi-lo problems.
Have been cleaning out and going over the hi-lo from the extended trip.

I purchased after many months of searching a Dometic portable ice maker.
I can do without an oven, but while on my 3 month trip in 2012 I decided that a ice maker would make life much more tolerable while traveling.
Requires 120v power, or a much larger charger than I take camping.
Being able to have ice is such a valuable asset that I have now made plans to make a slide-out to house the unit while in use. It will reside in the TV during transit and is not hard plumbed or wired.
I consider this addition a massive plus to any long term camping.

I don't drink site water from unreliable sources. I do filter. I use water from friends homes and purchase water from purification stations where ever I shop, ie: walmart every major grocery store. I use this water to make ice.

I have enough ice for a family of 4 with-in 1-2 hour after arrival at my camping spot.

I love to camp, but lets not be toooooo primitive!

We are now home and enjoying that also.

CAMP ON!!!!!!!

Spray painting again
 

Put my first batch of gloss painted exterior plastic strips on. Can you say awesome looking. DH removed all the rest and I had fun using q-tips and a rag to get 23yrs. of crud out of the backside channels. Only had to spray paint the front. Ace hardware had a box of 100 #8x1/1-4 stainless steel screws. HD sucks in the SS screw offerings(even though my daughter works there). We have now replaced every screw in the trailer with ss screws.

The mods have begun.
I finally figured out how to remove the valances and am debating new colors and covers for them. The P.O. cut the curtains on them for some unknown reason and I am trying to figure out what will look good and darken the inside at the same time and not get hung up when we set it down for traveling

DirecTv came out last night to hook up a satellite receiver. Found a dead splitter behind the fridge, a connector that is too small for the new upgraded connector. So now I need to get another splitter to replace the old one and make a new box to go behind the cable/phone hookup. Might have to run a new cable from the splitter to the connector on the fridge also.

This and that
 

Got new regulator put on and all lines checked out for leaks.
Mixed 1/4 cup bleach with 1 gallon of water and put in potable tank then filled up and ran until I smelled bleach water. Will leave for 3 hours and drain and then fill the fresh water tank up again with 1/4 cup of vinegar in a gallon of water and then fill the tank all the way up. Moved coffee bean grinder to trailer (come on I thought we were going camping!). Will sweep and mop one last time and lower trailer to prepare for trip to Pagosa Springs (hot dog!). We will get to see our daughter, son-in-law, and 3 grandchildren in each of these productions. Also, we will view the best small town July 4th parade ever (Democrats and Republicans even have floats!) although they have to be seperated and enjoy a super carnival that has come to town. Depending on the moisture level there will be a great fireworks display over Pagosa the night of July 4.

Hi Byrdmeister,

I'm still in the process of checking out the trailer, doing maintenance, and initial outfitting. Sanitizing the FW tank is on the list, and I surely will remember to put the coffee grinder in the camper!

I took my EAZ Lift hitch head down to a shop yesterday to have the adjustable ball mount moved up a couple notches (I don't have the proper tools) and will have the hitch ball replaced at the same time. After I have that done he said to bring the trailer down to him and he'll help me set it up properly for towing. Turns out this mechanic actually knew the fellow that invented the EAZ Lift hitch, or so he says.

We're targeting our first campout for mid-August so lots to do before then!

Make it dirty!
 

Hey Greg,
Sounds like you got a plan of action. Maybe the guy did know the inventor! He surely will know something about the hitch. I kept going on at my wife about the coffee grinder. At first she said, "well you can have your coffee without the heavy cream; then finally said I could drink it out of a dirty cup if they would make me feel more like I was camping." I am thinking we might have just a tad of an attitude working!

Wayne, (Byrd) I'm afraid I'll have to respectfully disagree on your best little town 4th of July parade and fireworks. I'm arguing back with the little town of Chetek, Wisconsin. Although now that I have run my mouth, I wish we could be with y'all so I'd know who's right. (Chetek still has a first-class little family owned bakery......does that swing things in my direction?):D

Jim, Jim, Jim!
 

https://www.visitpagosasprings.com/ev...-roundup-rodeo
https://www.pagosabakingcompany.com
https://riffraffbrewing.com/beer/


For your perusal.
Bakery, local award winning brewery, new Tractor Supply, wonderful hot springs to soak your tired, weary body in, a great 4H group, and plenty of fishing holes!
With that said, I wish they would come off their land/home prices. We would love to have a late May to early September place and then get the heck out when it gets too cold for these flatlanders!:cool::cool:

Plus, it's close to Wolf Creek Pass!

- Jack

I did take the time to "peruse" said sites and found that the two towns are quite similar. (The bakery might be a little high falutin' what with them using words like organic and Rachel Ray) My mom and dad still live on the main street of town and I can assure you a lake-front house on one of the chain of lakes is about crazy in price.

The appeal of such places
 

You know places like we are talking about have appeal that tugs at our heart strings. Deep down, I think we would like it to be like these places all across our great land. Everyone (and I mean everyone) deserved/deserves a chance to experience the allure and appeal of small town America as it existed many years ago. The parade, the rodeo, the small town café, the fishing hole or just individuals that take the time to give of themselves as they genuinely interact with you is a wonderful setting and feeling. As the
4th of July approaches and we look to our past, I hope everyone catches a moment that takes us back to those things that are "really" important in life. So whether it be Chetak, Wisconsin/Pagosa Springs, Colorado/or Stonewall, Oklahoma enjoy the best of America!

So what does this have to do with the initial thread?
Today, I drained the grey tank. Will reload the fresh water tank now that it has been sanitized and begin the countdown to "drive off" north.!

We love Pagosa. Stayed there a couple years ago. The couple we were with talked us into stopping there and I'm sure glad they did otherwise we more than likely would have drove on past. I wasn't sure about getting in the hot springs but they were amazing. Not sure I have ever felt more refreshed in my life. The next morning we found a great little coffee shop. I could see myself spending more time there. As for working on the Hi-Lo. I added some spring loaded door supports on my overhead cabinet doors to hold them open when getting stuff in or out. Nice little improvement.

Pagosa campground
 

The Last Resort Pagosa Springs, CO  81147

This is the place that will be staying at for about 3 weeks give or take. The owners are friends of my daughter AND my oldest grandson is doing maintenance work around the campground. I told him I wanted a manicured site. This morning I have been greasing items on the trailer, checking air in tires, and tightening all the screws on our trailer paying special attention to the glides that the top works on. Something I NEVER have done in my entire life is "grease" the hitch ball but after reading posts about it I will give it a try. Putting. my extension mirrors on the truck, checking all its fluid levels, and air pressure on tires. I have also printed out the check off list found on this site to prepare to let the trailer down. This is the first time I have "officially" battended down the hatches! Getting excited! So much so that we may leave a day early.

Wayne, y'all better get on the road so you can get there in time to "mark your spot" on Main where the parade goes by. In case any candy is thrown your way you want to make sure those little rascal grandchildren don't get in front of you. As usual the only thing I get is sprayed by the fire truck when they come by.....

Watch out KIDS!
 

If they start flinging those Jolly Ranchers out there all bets are off and it's ever man for himself!!!!! "Momma, Momma that old man pushed me down!":D:D:D

When I read this to Brenda she and I both laughed out loud. Everyone be safe, and enjoy our 4th of July. From two Marines to every American: This is the very best country in the world......celebrate that event!

This is what I am doing to my high low for the next couple weeks. Fortunately I have the fiberglass end caps. The front one has some damage so I get to repair it. Other than time, that should be rather easy.

My trailer is a 1981 so all the ribbon caulking for sealing around the windows and seams are beginning to leak. I am pulling both end caps, every window and vent and replacing the caulking and installing larger screws as many of the screws seem to be stripped.I'm going to try new 8 x 1 inch long self tappers with hope that it was just rusted screw threads. If these will not draw up tight I will use some new 10x1 self tappers instead.
I also need to rebuild the toilet valve as it will not add water when flushing with the pump on.
I am so tempted to pull the roof metal and seperate the roof from the top half wall and replace some minor damaged roof paneling but some bleach in a spray bottle will hide most of the damage in the corners. Its minor and my wife says I am OCD... lol

Rick

I replaced my bad flush valve with this
SeaLand SE314349 Water Valve Kit by Sealand
from amazon.
It was a perfect match for my toilet which is in my 1985 hi-lo. Pain to install due the restricted space, but works perfectly.

Good luck with your other repairs. Stay COOL

steve

Repairs
 

You will be able to see the condition of your walls with the windows out. I would encourage you to invest in stainless steel screws. Best of luck with your repairs and have fun.

Didn't do it today but on Wednesday I lowered the UFO in advance of Arthur. :eek:

Started modding new curtains also. Hopefully pictures will be coming soon. That didn't work out.. the new curtain looked horrible. :/

Fiberglass day. someone please remind me why I do not like working on fiberglass. Oh yeah. It itches. Ha

I think the damage to my front end cap was from the previous owners bumper and turning too sharp while going up a hill. The glass caused the glass to spider at the cracks which caused the glass to not come back to its original position so I ground all the crack areas out with a dremel tool and then put gorilla tape on the front side to help hold position and retain the resin and did the repair on the back. It is dry now and I will let it sit for most of the day just to be sure, I tend to rush things.
I will post results later in the day or tomorrow.

Rick

On my 2705T with the top down, I do not have any access to the batteries in case of a power failure. My option is the manual backup raising system which, to my understanding requires the effort of about 140 pumps. To forego the risk of over exerting my older body, I sprung for a set of commercial type jumper cables and installed the receiver end on the frame of the trailer, which if needed, the jumper cables would be plugged into the receiver and then spring clamped to another battery source (truck).

Nice mod, Garry! *thumbsup*

Just a comment on the use of the manual lift though: I don't think it requires much effort at all. I've done it, and I'm 73, so I'm not a youngster. In my trailer, I would not have to raise the top all the way up to get access to the batteries. I'd just need to raise it a bit over a foot, so that I can open the hatch.

I really recommend everyone try using the manual lift at least once, while home and not under duress. That way you'll know what to expect should the need arise when you're in the boonies.

- Jack

Thanks Jack, and you are correct, anyone with a manual lift should trying using it, which I have not done, but I will put that at the top of a "To Do" list. I did raise the trailer up about a foot and could access the batteries, but I would not feel comfortable attaching jumper cables at that position as someone (my better half) would have to be nearby to make sure the cables did not come in contact with with the hatch cover. If that happened, all heck would break loose.:)

Rattle can paint to exterior guides and blinds
 

Attachment 3301
I bought DH a riding mower for his 65th birthday. When it's 90 degrees and 90% humidity you want to get the work done fast.

Attachment 3302 Horizontal trim pieces with fresh paint.

Attachment 3303

Attachment 3304

Attachment 3305

The old blinds made new.
 

Attachment 3306

Attachment 3307

Attachment 3308

Attachment 3309

Attachment 3310

On my 2805C it is a real workout to raise the top manually as my top half weighs at least twice the weight of your 17' HiLo. You are right that you should manually raise the top once or twice a year to keep the pump
o-rings lubed. When I bought my HiLo the manual pump o-ring had stuck and it took a tremendous amt of force to break the pump loose. I also mounted a aircraft jumper cable plug-in system to the side of the box. Works great.

Thanks a lot, Jack - another item to add to my "To Do" list! :D

Greg, it is time for you to get that trailer hooked up and spend a couple nights in it! You've got the talking and prep work down-pat..........go camping! If something goes wrong your first time out you'll have a story to tell.:D

I'm getting there, Jim! Does camping in the driveway count? :D

All laughs aside, I think it might be for the best if you have an older model that hasn't been used in a while. Fill it with water, turn on all your goodies, and spend a day and night seeing if most things work correctly. I used the word MOST because EVERYTHING just won't work correctly.

take NOTANLINES advice and camping in the driveway is totally acceptable.
Just don't try to tell stories of bears and noisy animals.

We receive many posts from people that are having problems on the road, or camp spot because they didn't practice raising and lowering, not enough preventative maintenance, and don't know how their trlr parts function and maintenance.

You can learn about how much power your battery has over time of use, water tanks leaking, pumps working, awning up and down issues, leaks to trlr body, etc etc.

All of these are much easier to deal with at your home as opposed to on the road.

Make sure to use the night time to try out your skills also for dark set-up and tear down. It is different and challenging.

Once you know your trlr is functional and works as it is supposed to, it takes alot of the worry out and gives you peace of mind that you can deal with anything it throws at you.

practice makes perfect.

my $.02

steve

Hi Steve,

I think I'll try the driveway thing for a night. Actually, I could have a bear story to tell because where I live in the mountains we have a couple of bears that make regular visits to our neighbors about a quarter mile down the road. We also get elk, deer, bobcat, quail and cottontail rabbits on a regular basis in our area and on the property so it will be a lot like real camping. We have three campgrounds in our little community so I may give one of those a try before hitting the road.

Today is "propane" day. I turned on the bottles and did a soap test on all accessible mechanical joints and tested all the propane appliances. Glad to say I didn't blow myself up . . . at least not yet! :eek: