another oldie - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Treeclimber · 02-29-2020, 04:18 PM

Figured I'd start this thread here cause I'll need some help sorting out the batt box wiring. But, here's the story.
Young man down the street was given a Hi Lo from a salvage yard. Salvage yard made sure there was no numbers on it. Not knowing better, he towed it home 20 miles UP. With no paperwork, title etc, he felt he would never get it titled in FL. So I now own it.
Turns out it's a 1986 20 footer "D" model. I searched in all the known spots, but no VIN numbers. Floor in bath was rotted directly over the Black tank and they had written the model and tank size on top. Dated Apr 8, '86.
If anyone out there has this year/model and can get a pic of their battery box, I'd love to see it, so I know where to put things, like the 30 amp breaker.
I'll probably need more help in the future, but one step at a time.
This baby needs loads of repairs.
Thanks all, Tree

Treeclimber · 02-29-2020, 04:44 PM

Update, Found VIN for this unit. Dirty but clear, right next to the manual ball jack! Anyone know what "Franklin Div" means. That was stamped right under the VIN
Tree

JackandJanet · 02-29-2020, 09:37 PM

Looks like the battery went in front of the hydraulic pump? In my trailer, the 2-30A breakers are mounted on the side of the battery box. You could probably do that in this one too.

I'd say you have a REAL project ahead of you Tree! Is it worth the trouble? Good on you finding the VIN!

- Jack

sam · 03-01-2020, 01:26 AM

Treeclimber, Best of luck in restoring this HiLo. You can do this!!

Treeclimber · 03-01-2020, 11:53 AM

Ok, that's not the VIN number, that's the part number for the 2" ball hitch. I'll keep searching or register it as a "home built".
Tree

retiredcamper47 · 03-01-2020, 12:44 PM

Tree, Franklin Div was/is a division of Atwood. They made trailer couplings. Found this info on the Airstream forum. Good luck on your project.

Bob

r67northern · 03-01-2020, 01:47 PM

I always did like those era Hi-Lo’s. Good luck, Sir.

Registering it as a home-built seems like a good idea: give it enough of a rebuild, and it will essentially be exactly that.

Treeclimber · 03-02-2020, 07:57 AM

Bob, that's exactly what I found. Many people all over the country searched for that number, even Airstream!
I did find the first big hurdle. The pump and fluid assy is toast. Need to find a complete assembly.
The aluminum roof is also a goner, but I need to get the lift system working to get it down, with it down, I can't get to the pump. So the lift sys needs to work.
Sounds strange to most people on the forum, but this will make a good winter project. In a month, I head to the mountains with my 27'er.
Like you r67northern, this will be a complete rebuild.
Thanks all,
Tree

rabird · 03-02-2020, 10:41 AM

here's a pic that shows the red + wire to the batt and the black - to the battery (bottom of pic, G24 batt sits there), missing in the upper right of the pic is a 12v breaker like
https://www.littelfuse.com/products/...-breakers.aspx

rabird · 03-02-2020, 10:46 AM

wiring diagram

Treeclimber · 03-02-2020, 01:29 PM

rabird, Thanks much for the input. Troubleshooting confirmed that pump motor was shot. Better, we opened it up and wOw. Admittedly, this unit was sitting in the swamp near here for years??? I'm sure it was flooded a time or two. But the inside of that motor was amazing. Solid water/oil mixture. Springs for the brushes and attaching braided wires looked melted but were actually powder!. Reservoir was also filled with the same blend. Replacing the hyd line and Northern Tool has a near identical replacement pump/reservoir for $320. Be here in a day or so. Part number on request.
This will be a complete reno job next winter, but have already made good headway. Taking pics as I go.
Thanks,
Tree

r67northern · 03-02-2020, 08:47 PM

Sounds like you’re off and running Tree. Picking off one problem at a time - seeing this come back to life in the pictures you take will be great.

Treeclimber · 03-07-2020, 03:13 PM

Update. Finally cleared the junk away just to see what's going on. The bath pic is actually the top of the black water tank. That's how I determined the year and model with the rotten floor cleared away
The frayed wire bundle is the coiled wire from the batt box. Several wires are corroded away. Know where I can get one?
The wall damage is throughout, but the ceiling is in pretty good shape. It'll be replaced as soon as I change the metal roof to rubber. Spec sheet says it's wired for two fans, We'll see, if so Fan-tastics going in.
Hydraulic system is now working and I applied 120v directly to A/C---got it down to 54 degrees! Refer is a gonner. A near direct fit (A/C only) $139.
Gas system will be revamped by a pro, not me.
Next step is to clean up and super lube the underside. I'll for sure change the seal and cables.
What do think of this cable sink? New rail? Duuuh.
Tree
PS Oh yea, new rear bumper going on.

rabird · 03-08-2020, 10:13 AM

search 'spiral trailer wire'

you could use something like this, I just undid mine to track down where the single green became 2 greens, I now have clearance lights!

https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Barg...hoCRhwQAvD_BwE

Treeclimber · 03-08-2020, 12:05 PM

That's a good thought! Thanks, rabird.
Tree

keystone · 03-12-2020, 04:54 PM

not sure if you found the vin yet but i have the same year and model as yours...vin is on the frame rail..passenger side....right where the battery box is...there is a sticker on the side rail and it is stamped on top of the frame rail (lightly)

Treeclimber · 03-13-2020, 06:51 AM

Thanks keystone, I'll lightly sand that area and take a look. Want to paint the frame anyway.
Tree

Treeclimber · 03-14-2020, 09:27 AM

keystone, Never really paid attention to it, but where is your converter/battery charger located? I've been through 27 Hi Los, worked on 11 of them. So I know my way around them, but there is no charger in this unit. If you can, would you send any info you have as to it's location, make and model.
Thanks in advance,
Tree

Treeclimber · 03-23-2020, 08:40 AM

keystone, Any chance you know the maker and model of your converter? Mine, of course is missing along with the fuse panel. Found fuse panel parts and the screw holes, but some previous owner wired the wire together and eliminated the fuse panel. The correct converter is rather important.
All external lighting is working, this unit actually has back-up lites! It was actually cheaper to replace all the running/position lite assemblies with LED ones rather than replace just the lenses!
Tree

sam · 03-23-2020, 10:43 PM

Even if another member gives you his converter information his might have been changed out. I know you know this. Try Best Convertewr for information/help.