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02-28-2016, 01:56 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 12
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New to Forum, Old Camper Questions
Hi y'all. I'm Tina and my husband Chris and I have owned a 1979 HiLo since the 80's. A little about us:
We were married at 18. Had 2 kids of our own, adopted 3 of my sister's kids to keep them out of foster care. We are now going on 30 years of marriage and ALL the kids are grown and out of the house. YIPPEE More time for camping!
My husband is EXTREMELY handy. He has a small remodeling company here in Tampa, FL. I have been working with him 24/7 since 2009 and together we do construction/remodel jobs. He's done a lot of work on the camper - the biggest being one of the cables breaking once and he put in a new one. We haven't fully taken off the top yet - but it's probably time to do that as the seals are all in terrible shape.
We LOVE camping in our HiLo. It's probably all of 17 feet, but we just love it to death. I took out the shower and have been thinking about pulling the toilet as well. We NEVER use it and I could use the space for additional storage. Right now when we camp I put a piece of plywood (with fabric cover) over that area and use it as a table top and use under it (and around the toilet) for storage. Curious as to if any of you have done that as well. But that's not the high priority for us. We've done other things: Recovered the cushions, changed out a few of the lights, completely remade the table, painted the walls, etc.
Biggest priority is 1) Fan replacement (dome is cracked) and 2) Interior wall replacement - wall towards the front. We've had water damage there in the past and the paneling is just falling apart. So my questions are this:
1) What kind of fan would I find on Amazon or wherever online that could replace our original fan in the HiLo.
2) What are some ideas of covering that paneling on the front wall. We were thinking about taking off the doors, then using FRP and gluing/screwing it to what's there now, then cutting out the holes for the window and cabinets. But I'm sure there might be other ideas. The shelf in front of the window is also falling apart, so whatever I'd do to that wall I'd need to do on that shelf as well.
I look forward to some great ideas! And love knowing all of you love your HiLos as much as we do!
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02-28-2016, 03:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,256
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WELCOME! I recommend replacing the fan with another FANTASTIC FAN, as I think there is general agreement they are the best. Others will be along to offer suggestions on replacing walls etc but there are many "rebuilds" hidden in the archives of the forums and you may find hours of enjoyment utilizing the "search" function to start chasing down threads related to that. Also- we LOVE pictures . Feel free to post them . On a 'reply' you an use the "go advanced" button under the post window and follow directions for uploading photos.
Rick
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__________________
2201 TL
2010 Nissan Titan king cab SE
4x4
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02-28-2016, 10:57 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Niagara Falls,NY
Posts: 4,229
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Welcome to the forum.
Tinatot,Welcome to the forum. What a great story you posted of your life. I have seen 70s HiLos at our dealer. We have done extensive wall repair in our 1990 HiLo Classic. You must rip the wall out all the way back to the metal framing. Then put the layers back in. We had good luck using heavy duty construction adhesive/liquid nails. Try and take the old paneling out to be able to use it for a pattern. The metal can be coated with a rust preventive paint. Then we used bondo to seal the inside of the fiberglass walls. You could have pinpoint holes you can't even see. We used a 1/8th Georgia pacific paneling the had the vinyl coating on it. Take some before and after pictures. Look for back posts as many of us have had to do extensive repairs. Many good threads in the back posts.
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02-29-2016, 01:44 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SWFL Bonita Springs/Andrews, NC
Posts: 1,264
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Tinatot, Welcome to the forum from Bonita Springs, Fl. Your question about the fans -- Amazon has the Fan-tastic vent for $141.00, fits exactly, smoked dome and only the inside trim needs cutting to fit snug against the ceiling. I've put three in two Hi Los and getting ready to do another any day now. Best of luck with your re-do!
Tree
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Treeclimber
2703 Tow Lite
2002 Escalade
Bonita Springs, Fl. &
Andrews, NC
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03-01-2016, 02:50 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Clint, TX
Posts: 27
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Tina, FANTASTIC fans make a model for the vintage trailer look if that is what you are after, modern performance and old school look. I plan on ordering for myself. Fan-Tastic Fan Vent
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03-02-2016, 11:15 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,698
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Hi Tina - I'll add to the recommendations for Fan-Tastic Fans. They use less current than the Mattel Toy fans that were OEM, and, they move more air! So, they are kinder on your battery and they cool better.
I put one with a thermostat and rain sensor in my trailer. I turn it on when we arrive at a campsite and just leave it on the whole time. Never have to worry about rain coming in because it closes as soon as just a bit of rain touches it and, it doesn't run if the temperature is cool enough.
It was a dead simple installation.
- Jack
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Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System, SoftStartRV mounted on A/C
2024 F150 Platinum FX4 3.5L PowerBoost SCrew
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03-02-2016, 11:50 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,256
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Ive always assumed mine was a fan-tastic fan- but the automatic rain function is not there nor the temperature function. Ill have to check the "paper work" again when I get it out of storeage.
Rick
__________________
2201 TL
2010 Nissan Titan king cab SE
4x4
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03-02-2016, 05:29 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,698
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hilltool
Ive always assumed mine was a fan-tastic fan- but the automatic rain function is not there nor the temperature function. Ill have to check the "paper work" again when I get it out of storeage.
Rick
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Those are two extra cost options, Rick. I think they're worth it, especially if you're upgrading from the OEM toy fan.
- Jack
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03-13-2016, 01:33 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motorpig2342
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Thanks for all the ideas guys! motorpig2342, that's exactly what I was thinking. Since I don't want to do the WHOLE camper just yet, just that one wall by the front window, I think just adhering an MDF panel to what's there would do the trick. Even the expensive one since it's just one half wall would do the trick. Going to look into that fantastic fan everyone has recommended. Great feedback - thank you!
Tina
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