Question:
On the long weekend, we saw, across the open
common area of teh campground, a trailer called
"Hi-Lo". Didn't get to talk to the people, but
the upper part of the unit slides down over the
lower. When raised, it looks almost like a
travel trailer, about a 17', I think. When
closed, it is like a pop-top (or as we in Canada
call it, a Tent Trailer). It doesn't have any
canvas that we saw, unlike some of the new
smaller travel trailers, which have extendable
canvas sleeping areas, thus increasing the
living space dramatically.
Any info on this rig, such as who makes them and
the price, would be appreciated. I'm a Canadian Camper
Answer:
-We looked at them at the PA RV show last year, when we were considering a
different unit.
They are quite heavy, first of all. Our Astro could not tow most of them.
Only a couple of the largest models have a permanent bed, and none have the
sleeping space of our Coleman Bayside.
They truly are a telescoping travel trailer, and I personally don't feel they
can be compared to a popup at all.
-We traded our tent trailer in on a used Hi-Lo (19 ft) earlier this year.
We loved our Coleman, but we enjoy our Hi-Lo a lot more. In our area
(near Seattle) a tent trailer is difficult because we felt like we
needed to wait for a nice day to be able to open up the trailer and get
it ready to go. Needless to say, we rarely got out. The Hi-Lo is an
entirely different type of camping. As mentioned by others, You don't
get the great length with beds that stay beds like you do in a tent
trailer. OTOH, you have lot's more room for stuff, 36 gallons of fresh
water, hot water, shower, toilet, holding tanks.... The Hi-Lo is not
like a hard sided tent trailer, it is like a full size travel trailer
that tows really nice and isn't terribly heavy (our 19ft Funlite is 2900
lbs dry.)
Hi-Lo is one manufacturer and some of their older designs are now made
by a company called Tow-lite. Another interesting trailer that is more
like a hard tent trailer is the Trailmanor.
We bought our used, in the early summer for $6600 (1993 19ft Hi-Lo
Funlite.) The dealer gave us a great trade on our Coleman. We have
looked at several of these used, and that seems to be the way to go.
Brand new they are very expensive.
