Hi All, first time Hi Lo owner here
 

Boy am I going to need alot of help! Just purchased a 1998 Hi Lo 21FL but have no documentation or brochure and am really winging it. The salesman promised me all systems would be working when I take possession on Aug 17. The unit has been in storage for several years in a hanger in AZ and looks pretty clean. It still has original tires which look new but I am replacing them due to age. I am having the wheel bearings checked and lubed if needed. I plan to tow it with a 2010 Chev Traverse that has a factory tow package and I am purchasing an equalizer hitch and new brake controller. Hopefully it will be ready to tow. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Bud

Welcome, fellow Zonie!

One of the best resources is a series of utube videos that one of our members posted a couple years ago. Here's a link to the first, and you can just watch the rest in sequence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G3-...OBXywAayvyMWen They were made for a newer model than yours, but there were very few changes as the years went by - most were cosmetic.

You also might find an owners manual on this forum that is very close to your model year. Again, anything close will do just fine. Look in this section: Hi-Lo Owners Manual - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

And, when you have questions on a specific item, just ask. Most of us know enough to be able to give you an answer that's not TOO confusing (or wrong).

- Jack

Welcome to the forum.
 

It is a good idea to replace the tires and have the bearings checked/repacked. Best of luck as you tow it home. We love pictures. Post some when you get a chance. This forum will be a big help to you.

My personal opinion is that your TV is WAY undersized and underpowered to use on that size of trlr(4k LB wet). You live where there are many hills and it will become very apparent.

That trlr weighs more than your TV. That factory tow package is for a pop-up tent trlr, or small utility.

Do the math. Safety is #1.

New hitch w/ sway bar and brake controller is absolutely necessary.

Just my opinion!

TV undersize
 

Thanks for your input. My Traverse is rated to pull 5200 lb. I am going to give it a try on our first excursion. If you are correct about not enough power and weight to pull this 4400 gross weight trailer, it will become evident. I will look into purchasing a Ford or Chevy pickup truck as a tow truck for it, if it doesn't work well. I was told by the dealer it weighed 3200 lb. It also stated that on the NADA guide info. Info on the forum indicates it is somewhat heavier when fully loaded. I will also have it weighed at my local gravel store. Again, I appreciate your input and need all the help I can get.

Bud, it will probably pull your trailer, but down here in Arizona, you are really near the limit. When I bought my 1707T, I had a 6-cyl Nissan Frontier, rated to pull 5000#. It towed the trailer home just fine and then I took it to Mt Graham and then into Colorado over two 11,000+ ft passes. It pulled the trailer (in first gear) over those passes. But, when I pulled the trailer out of Camp Verde up that long 6% grade with the outside temperatures at over 100 degrees, the truck was in danger of overheating. My trailer weighs about 3500# empty. That's when I bought my first F150.

So, give it a try, but don't be surprised if you find you need something with a bit more "grunt".

- Jack