New HiLo
 

Please post interior and exterior pictures when you get a chance. What do you have to do to the exterior? We are here to answer any questions you may have and to give helpful advice.

Hi,

I've got a lot of cleaning to do, some caulking and a sag in the roof around the ac unit. The sag was a concern but I bought it cheap enough, I've got a warm place to work and a great resource on this forum.

Jim

Detailing HiLo.
 

You'll be fine with a warm place to work. It will keep you busy all winter in your spare time. A good caulk to use is Lexell caulk. It is clear and can be applied down to 40 degrees. You can get this at ACE hardware or online. It is around eight dollars a tube,worth every panny. Also sikaflexA has been mentioned on HTF. No experience with this. I saw this at HD with the roofing mortar in tubes. Seems to me I remember other towlite owners having to reinforce their roofs at the AC unit. Should be some back posts on this. Bottom line catch problems early ,be handy and you will be okay.

Thanks Sam,

I spent yesterday getting the title transferred, paying the sales tax and replacing the battery. It was drizzly and rainy and I have not moved it inside yet so I washed some of the exterior and a once over cleaning the roof. That might sound crazy but the surface doesn't dry so no rush to rinse. Found the dc fuse panel which was not where the owners manual located it. Another rainy day to day so more exploration and research.

I'm retired,working some but have time, maybe too much time?!

I have a wd hitch on order so next week I'll set that up


Jim

I also had a sag in the roof at the ac unit of my older 97 towlite, easy fix.
I set ladders on each side of trailer with boards going across the top for a working surface. That ac unit is heavy, when I took the ac off the trailer I moved it onto the boards.
The feet of the ac unit don't line up with the roof joist of the trailer, so you have a sag.
I used 3/8 marine plywood, cut into 6 to 10 inch strips to span the roof joist and fill in around all sides of the 14x14 hole. It's important to round over the edges of the plywood with a 1/4" radius bit so the plywood doesn't wear a hole in the alumium roofing. I installed from the roof side, I slipped it under the alumium roofing and this also gave me the crown back into the roof line. Install a new ac unit gasket.
Congrats on your new trailer!

Detailing your HiLo
 

Mineceptor86, Makes sense to me the way you washed your RV. Wash and dry as you go. No rush. I would recommend you wax your trailer. I use Gell Gloss from my RV store. Some like aerospace protectent 303. Gell Gloss can also be purchased at HD. My dh is also semiretired and spends his free time working on our HiLo or doing volunteer maintenance at our church. You will never have too much free time. Thanks campthe westcoast for the very detailed description of how you beefed up your AC support on your towlite.

Hi,
Yesterday: I washed the roof for the second time so enough of that even though I didn't get rid of the spots. I set up the brakes, no problems there, bearings snug, no wobble and the adjusters were free and from what I could see through adjuster hole not much corrosion. The hydraulic return line was dangling underneath so I fastened it to the cross members in a couple of places.

Question of the day. Did the tip out come in a manual type? If not where do I find the magic button? The owners manual is of little help.

Movie I'm watching as I write this: Beach Blanket Bingo, Annette got her hair wet and a few frames in a wet clingy jumpsuit was about as provocative as Disney would allow. No bikini and gyrations for the wholesome mouseketeer.

Have a good day,

Jim

My tip out switch is high on the side of the cabinet at the entryway.

I don't find the tip out switch. Did they make a manual model?

Jim

Tipout question?
 

My HiLo is too old to have a tipout (1990). I would highly suggest that you prime and coat your roof with the appropriate material. Better to spend $100.00 now than Thousands later for a new roof. Kind of like wax on a floor. The aluminum roofs tend to develop pin holes and start to leak. By the time you realize you have a problem it can lead to major wall dammage. In hind sight I wish we had been advised to coat our roof a lot sooner. Many back posts on this subject.

We've got a rubber roof and when I get the sag around the ac fixed I'll evaluate recoating. The rubber seems flexible, was a little chalky but the two washes cleaned that up.

Jim

Recoating your roof.
 

Trust me on this one,recoat your roof. I know it is a lot to do/digest when you first get a used HiLo. By coating your roof it will help with the chaulkyness. Put blue tape at the side where you want to stop coating. This will give you a crisp coat job.

Update
 

Hi,

To bring things up to date:

I have most of the exterior waxed, only the top part I couldn't reach from the ground. I will finish that in the lowered position, did my dads class A from a step ladder, don't need to do that again. I found a random orbit sander worked best on this job as opposed to the 10" buffer I used on the motor home. Raining right now so it's a good excuse to do something else.

I adjusted the lift cables yesterday and found an easily overlooked maintenance item. Keeping the adjusting nuts and threaded cable ends lubed. I had a heck of a time getting the nuts freed up. Had to use a mini butane torch to heat one of the nuts. Even so I couldn't come closer than 1/2" variance because one nut got very tight and I didn't want to keep cranking on it for fear of snapping the cable end.

Found the wires for the missing tip out wench. We're does the wench reside for those with a powered tip out?

I ordered a Reese straight line hitch from eTrailer, great customer service. They kept me up to date every step of the process with emails that were signed off with a persons name. Thanks, Kathy, George and Khaled. Nice hitch, the anti sway function has been integrated into the bars so no more cams and associated rods and their separate mounting points on the A frame.

I started to assemble the ball mount and found I was one of the "rare cases" when a second shim would be needed between the shank and the ball mount as per the instructions included with the hitch. I called one of the customer service numbers for Reese to order the kit and the first rep didn't know what I was talking about. I called the second number listed and the lady knew what I needed and got it coming. Now I wait for the free second shim kit (a 1 1/2 x 4" piece of sheet metal with two holes punched in it that could have been sent with the hitch) making me not a happy camper. Bean counters at work! Saved the company untold millions but also earned the company an unhappy customer who will share his experience with untold millions via the Internet. Good thing I wasn't a retailer setting this up for a customer who just purchased a 5 figure trailer from me and wanted to use his/her purchase and I had to tell them they would have to wait a week or more for want of a piece of sheet metal with two holes punched in it.

I emailed these thoughts to Reese customer service and got a reply back that didn't even address my concerns because the rep didn't understand the first sentence when I said I was in need of a second shim kit. He told me that I should have received a shim with the hitch.

Enough for now,

Jim

It would be easier to make the shim by tracing around the first one on a scrap piece of metal and cutting it out. It just has to fill the space and doesn't need to be pretty.

Getting set up with hitch.
 

Chances are that if a dealer had set this up for you they would of had some spare parts hanging around for you. Good thing you weren't wanting to leave on a trip. Got a very expensive storm door recently and had towait for the lock template to come by snail mail. Had to duct tape the brand new door closed on the exterior all is well now. Thanks for keeping us updated onyour adventures.

Hi RichR,

But I'm bull headed!

Jim

:D I know what you mean. It's the principle of the matter. The cost to stamp out the shim would be less than the postage to sent it in an envelope. I got only one shim as well.

Exactly! Feedback is a good thing.

Jim

Update
 

Hi,

doesn't seem to be much posting and its raining here so activities are limited as well as motivation so I'll rattle on some.

Yesterday was unseasonably warm so I was able to finish up waxing the top half after taking it for a spin with the wd hitch. Works fine. BluTaco was able to pull the steepest hill we have around here, somewhere in the neighborhood of 7% in third without full throttle so I'll have a limitless reserve for tankage and baggage.

Brakes still aren't working great after adjustment but the intella-stop brake controller has some odd things on the display so I'll have to do more investigation.

Found Lexell caulk at the locall farm and home @$7.99 in white and clear so I bought a tube of white to try. Time to start moving stuff out of the shop and into the new garage so I can get the Hilo in.

Has anyone given their Hilo a pet name? I have a long list of names I have given vehicles that I have owned. My first car (1963) was a '55 Ford Victoria (not the Crown) 272 3spd od which or course was named Vickie. I then I traded up to a 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS 283 220hp 4sp which for some reason was named Pete Chevelle. And presently BluTaco, a '07 Tacoma dc Prerunner in Speedway blue and an '09 Hyundai Elantra Touring in chili pepper red which the now 6 yr old grandson for some unknown reason started calling Sugar soon after we got it 3 yrs ago.

So enough rambling, have a good day and make it a great week.

Jim

Assorted ramblings.
 

Read the information on the Lexell caulk. You may need a magnifying lens to do this. You can apply it to 40degrees. It takes several days to fully cure. I used in our restoration and it has held up for over a year. This is not a cheap caulk. You pay for quality. I'm sure you will notice the diference (in a good way) from other caulks you have used.

Hi Sam,

What did you do with the Windows where the stuff the factory used is squished out, unsightly and in some spots crumbly?

Jim

Window butyl tape renewal.
 

I would take the window out and scrape the old butyl tape away and replace with fresh butyl tape. Replace window and recaulk on the exterior with Lexell caulk. Any windows that have been in for ten years need this treatment. Then cut off excess butyl on the exterior with a old butter knife. Then go ahead and use Lexell caulk on the exterior to reseal. This is easily a two person do it yourself job. Takes a couple of hrs. Maybe and can easily be done by a DIYSer. Do a search of you tube videos for this procedure. We did every window in our HiLo. The bonus is with the window out you can see the condition of your walls. (hopefully no water dammage). Set the window on saw horses to work on it. Clean the exterior fiberglass of residue with goo gone. Then your favorite cleaner,rinse and dry. Alcohol is a good cleaner to remove residue. Flat stiff putty knife is needed to gently pry trim ring off and window on exterior from side wall. Need two scrapers,garbage can,glass cleaner. I like foam glass cleaner and micro rags. Rags/paper towels. Thats all except a good boom box or like device to make a boring job easier. The first window you do is scary and then after that you get pro status!! Need step stool or shorter ladder. Let me know if you need any further directions. While we were at it we replaced all rusty screws with stainless steel ones. Take out one and order same size. We always buy a box of 100 screws. Remove a smuch of the butyl tape as you canthen clean with alcohol. Doesn't have to be perfect.

Resealing windows.
 

Note to self,Don't use wife's good butter knife as this could result in a lump of coal in the christmas stocking. Our fiberglass is wavy 1990. We wrapped the butyl tape around twice to fill in the void. Depends on the year and what siding material you have. Can't remember if we had to use double on all windows. The old black stuff from the factory squishes out and looses its effectiveness. Buy the time you realize you have a window leak you most likely will have major wall dammage. Best of luck with your repairs.

Hi Sam,
Thanks for the tips.
My mom once said that for a few winters back in the thirties she would have been happy with a lump or more of coal in her stocking, the less she and her siblings would have to find along the railroad tracks.

Take care all and have a nice week.

Happy thanksgiving
 

Hi and I hope you have a happy thanksgiving.

I will be sleeping in the hi lo tonight and tomorrow night as the house is full. Tonight 45 tomorrow night 27, not going to bother with heat, I think the big orange Marmot down bag i use for winter camp outs with my scout troop will keep me toasty.

Take care,

Jim

Thanksgiving in the HiLo.
 

I hope your plan to keep warm works. Gee ,what would you have done if you didn't purchase the HiLo? If you get cold you can have the roof vents somewhat open and light up your oven. Then keep the oven door open. You should be able to plug into a 15 or 20 amp line at your house to run your furnice. It won't take that much propane at night. We ran our furnice in dec.,jan, and feb. while we were doing our restoration. Even in the coldest run of 24 /7 we only had to fill up one 30lb propant tank every 3 days. We get cheap propane at the nearest Indian reservation(no tax). If my memory serves me correctly it was $9.50 a fill up.

Hi Sam,

I could plug in, I could use the furnace, I could bunk in the heated shop but...I am just weird! Gives others something to talk about. I've always liked sleeping in the cold, I've got a good down bag, it will only be in the upper thirties tonight and upper twenties tomorrow night.

Up early and put the bird in the oven, have a nice t-day.

Jim

Sleeping in the cold.
 

I have a down sleeping bag. I think it is rated for -20. Haven't used it in years.You can actually wake up sweating in it. Went inside ourHiLo today and it felt colder than outside. Glad it was a short time in there. Mymother 81 years young and my sister do the cooking. We get KP duty and this works for me. I just do my mom and sister some favors throught the year.

Towing mirrors
 

Hi,

Finally a couple of manufacturers have noticed how popular Tacomas are .

If you had a problem with the mud flaps breaking off as I did (while still under 36K miles but not covered under warrantee as they are considered a wear item) Weather Tech has stepped up and made a direct replacement. The front are shorter and both front and rear used the factory screw holes.

And for those wanting a towing mirror, ProEFX has direct fit set just out. You can check them out at Tacoma World forum just search for ProEFX towing mirrors. They are available in black or chrome, powered, non powered, heated or not heated.

Jim

Clementine to the rescue
 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. The Hilo is tucked away in the heated shop, we are tucked away in the heated house, granddaughter is safely home from Greensburg, IN and Draco is bearing down on NE Iowa. Tomorrow Clementine (1990 Kubota 2550GST) will dig us out long before we can go anywhere.

Jim

Snow storm plan
 

Minicepter86,Good game plan. Stay inside and keep warm. Seems like the mid section of the USA is getting the brunt(blizzard) part of the storm. We have had all our snowblowers ready for a while. My brother is coming in from Cleveland,Ohio on the 21st. He better get on the road early as some lake effect snow is predicted for later on Friday. DH had to get the plow on the truck and get all the snowblowers ready at work. They have a heated garage.

Happy Holidays to all and to all many beautiful sunrises.

Our first snow of 2012 at our farm.

Jim and Sandy

Roof repairs
 

Hi,

I thought I would bring you up to date on my roof repairs. I have finished the interior portion and have it all back together. I'm satisfied with the work I did. Adding the aluminum bows to reinforce the tubing frame work eliminated most of the sag by the ac unit, it's still about 1" lower than the front section at the Panel seam behind the ac unit but it's a lot stiffer than it was before. To reattach the interior ceiling panel I used adhesive on the new foam and reinforcing bows and pop rivets. The pop rivets were painted white using an automotive touch up paint. Would I recommend this approach to others, probably not. It is not the result that you would get with a complete roof rebuild such as j&r would do but for me it was a good alternative for our first camper. I have less than $150 invested and several hours of good entertainment.

Other things I have done while its been in the shop:
Painted the tongue including the lp tank holder
Repaired the small crack at the outlet to the black water holding tank
Added support hangers for the black and grey water dump tubes
Caulked, caulked, caulked
Replaced the upper and lower cap screws with stainless steel
Attached the skirt to the support struts with pop rivets
Removed the tape residue from the skirting
Removed the cobbled weather stripping for the tip out ready for new from j&r
Added a rear hitch to haul my dirt bike on a hitch mounted hauler

Now I'm ready to tackle the roof exterior, caulk and tape in hand I will reseal around all the openings. I'll evaluate coating the roof while I'm up there but have questions about the $100 kool seal route or the $500 products. I might just wait and see how we like the rv experience before sinking anymore money into the trailer.

Happy new year

Jim

Jim

I sent you a private Message.

Rick

Hi Rick,

I PM you back.

Jim