Yes, there's a steel plate threaded onto the end of the hydraulic ram. This plate is what slides on the guide rod.

Removing the guide rod allows one to pull the cylinder with the plate attached, which has got to be easier and less risky of major damage than trying to remove the ram from the pulley plate.

Hydraulic Pressure Relief Valve
 

In an emergency you can manually release the hydraulic pressure by turning the valve on the hydraulic pump using the approx. 2 ft. bar provided if still available or something else that fits (counterclockwise is think) while holding the lock pin in the out position. Do this slowly to control the rate of lowering.

Kengsr

My 1995 hi lo camper release cable is locked it won't release. It was working fine and we put camper down then I raised it this morning to check on the ac cord which i had forgot to put back into plug area when we lowered it. I thought for sure it would be ruined. The plug was sitting on the outer shelf next to the plug holder and appeared to be fine. I realized we hadn't checked the ac unit during out check ( we just bought this and getting familiar with everything before we go camp) so I plugged it in and then turned on the unit and it did nothing? Haven't checked the fuses yet but then I went to put the top down and the release cable won't release. It has never done this before. It just won't budge! Any advise is appreciated as I know we are not supposed to travel with it up but don't know how to get it down. Help

I know this sounds stupid but where is the hydraulic pump and valve located? I am a woman not a guy so this is a new learning experience for me . My hubby is handicapped and is limited to what he can do so I have to learn this stuff. Is there pictures or diagrams somewhere. I also have a trailer guy coming out to install a new exhaust fan perhaps he can help me

Is the release cable hooked to the battery and where is the breaker located between the battery and lift. Before it was simply a matter of pulling the cable to release it but now it doesn't budge and I am afraid to force it as I don't want to read something and make it worse

Hikinggma, Take a deep breath. Now, for your A/C to work, your master switch must be pressed at the top position. In this position, ALL systems work, both 120v and 12v.
In the middle position, only the refer (in 12v mode) is powered. Called "travel mode".
In the bottom position only the refer (12v only) and PUMP work.
So, with power from the house and a FULLY charged battery, everything should work. :)
If the switch is in the top position, you can turn on the A/C, ---BUT--- only to see if it runs. Unless you have a 30 amp breaker in the house, you run the risk of damage to the A/C with an underpowered circuit. :eek:
With the master switch in the bottom position, try and raise the top, it will squeal when fully up-- then pull the release cable and push the lower switch and it should come down.
Let us know what happens. Hope the Hi Lo is close to the house.
Tree

I think on your Hi Lo, the battery and pump are located in the "A" frame. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

The top is in the full raise position and the release cable won't release regardless of what I do . Pushing the lower button does nothing. I used to pull cable to release then hit lower button to lower but now the cable won't release. As for the AC unit you talk about a master switch . Is this located on the ac unit itself. I think my fuse may be blown need to check this first. BTW I got the top lowered. Didn't have it up all the way just a hare short so folks make sure it is up all the way or the cable won't release to lower it. Thanks

Try raising it and then lowering it. You may have settled on the safety bar.

Also- check the upper AND LOWER position with the switch. ON mine- in the "up" position is where I need to put it in order to raise and lower. The "down " position is where I have it for all the other power to work. Either they did it different that year or someone installed the switch up-side down. My best guess is what Ruben said, though. If the unit is resting on the safety bar it wont budge ( the safety bar). Have it go up a tiny bit and then pull the bar cable.

Rick

I have tried everything possible to get my Hilo to lower, iv read everything and can't get the camper to lower. I have to move it toda

Welcome to the forum. Did you try raising it to get it off the safety bar? Try bumping it up before trying to lower it.