Starling Travel

July 9, 2013

1973 Ratcliff Tow Low

Filed under: Teardrops & Tiny Trailers — Laura Moncur @ 8:25 am

I absolutely ADORE this 1973 Tow Low I found on KSL Classifieds!

1973 Tow Low from Starling Travel

The owner selling it says:

Completely Rebuilt, Modified and Modernized!

1973 Tow Low from Starling Travel

Gotta see this to believe it! Used to be manual with a large captains wheel to raise and lower. Now, Electric Winch System.

1973 Tow Low from Starling Travel

NEW 30 Gal fresh water tank! Stove, Sink, New Microwave, NEW siding & Roof, insulation, Battery, Converter, Lights, floor, Rear Rack with Storage Tubs, New Drapes.

1973 Tow Low from Starling Travel

NOT A POP UP TENT TRAILER!!! All Hard Shell over a Hard Shell!

1973 Tow Low from Starling Travel

Awning in Good shape.

1973 Tow Low from Starling Travel

This was an Eleven Year Project of mine, I Built it to keep! As luck would have it We out grew it for a WAY more expensive one!!!

I couldn’t find any information about the Tow Low on NADA, but I did find an informative forum posting on the Hi-Lo Trailer Forum:

The Tow-Low trailer was manufactured by Ratcliff Industries of Juneau Wisconsin in the 60’s and early 70’s. It was a direct competitor to the Hi-Lo which was made in Butler Ohio. The Tow-Low was generally characterized by the big wheel on the front on the trailer that was used to raise the top. A release and brake then allowed the top to lower. Only in it’s last year or two of production did it offer an electric lift. I don’t recall the use of hydraulics for the lift system although many were produced with hydraulic brakes. Here is a link to it’s patent information. Hope it helps.

I did find another Tow Low on the Sisters on the Fly website:

Shooting Star - Tow-Low 1973 from Sister #1637

It looks like a great little trailer that can be towed by almost anything and yet another ingenious foldable camper.

7 Comments »

  1. I once had one of those wonderful Tow Low campers , mine was a 19 ‘ with bunk beds at the rear , it was an easy pull trailer although it was a bit heavy but my 6 cyl. Ford 300 f-150 pick up never had any problems getting to Jerome AZ passing up other trailers on the way up , I wish I would have kept it to this day……

    Comment by John Camirand — August 23, 2013 @ 11:24 am

  2. I have a 71 tow low and am dying to find someone to talk to about one. I wan to restore mine but even finding a door handle took me two years!

    Comment by Quinn — August 29, 2013 @ 7:16 pm

  3. I had just picked up a Tow Low camper. Very Excited about it! I am remodeling/restoring it, and cant wait to get it on the road.

    Im a recent college grad that loves to camp and hunt. Its the perfect little trailer.

    I would love to know how you set up your electric winch system!

    Comment by Derek J — September 19, 2013 @ 3:08 pm

  4. My Grandfather Rudy Ratcliff built these. I used to visit the factory. They were a great trailer.

    Comment by Brian Frink — December 1, 2013 @ 5:45 pm

  5. Nice restoration!

    Comment by Jon Frink — December 1, 2013 @ 6:37 pm

  6. We just acquired a Tow Low (1973 is says on the sticker). Any information about where to get replacement parts, (if there is such a thing) or details as to the stringing of the cable system would certainly be greatly appreciated. As I have said, the camper is in very solid shape for it’s age.

    Comment by Dennis B. Hall — May 11, 2014 @ 7:51 pm

  7. I too have one but the wire broke. I took it to repair man and he said he couldn’t fix so bolted up I hate. Need some advice

    Comment by erin hill — June 10, 2014 @ 11:56 pm

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