Heavy Lifting

[jshumate]

I'm interested to know what people use to lift heavy things in and out of their trucks. I've been looking at cranes and hoists that mount in the bed as well as the roll-a-round kind. I've got a roll up bed cover, so I can't mount to the inside of the bed rail.

I also found the kind that attach to the receiver hitch, like this one: www.spitzlift.net, but they are too pricey for my taste.

I'm looking for a simple solution - thanks for any ideas.

 

[CPG]

Have seen a lot of those receiver hoists listed and they seem to do a good job. It sure beats getting a bum back which I have been cursed with for years with being a former HD mechanic.

 

[Nate]

A forklift.

 

[n7gxz]

Ford 3000 tractor with a front end loader.



Kevin

 

[Boondocker]

I am faced with this problem with my 5th wheel hitch. It's a 16K SuperGlide, guessing it weighs around 250 lbs without the head or mounting rails. My wife finally declared that she wasn't going to help me lift it any more, so I need a mechanical advantage. I too looked at Spitzlift, and demo'd one a couple of years ago at the SEMA show. But they're too expensive for my infrequent use.



I recently got a 2-ton engine hoist at Pep Boys for $129. I still spent another $50 or so on a load leveler and some chain and hooks to make a rigging. I've taken the hitch in and out a couple of times now, and it's EASY! So this is a good solution for me. Storage is a bit of a problem, currently parked on the back patio, at least it folds. One possible drawback for some is that it's not portable. I don't require portability since since I got this for the express purpose of hitch installation, which I'll only do at home. I also used it to help a neighbor rip out some big bushes in his yard. (I have film of this guy ripping trees out with his 3rd gen ) So I think it will be a good investment.



Neil



P. S. I also bought a heavy duty steel garden cart (wagon) to store and move the hitch around with.

 

[jshumate]

The 5th wheel hitch is also my main requirement. I recently used a friends hydralic lift table to unload my hitch and it worked great. I still had to walk the hitch across the bed to the tailgate, but once I moved it straight across to the table and lowered it, it was a breeze to wheel around. I think he got his from Harbor Frieght for about $200.

 

[ELehan]

I used to leave the hitch on the 5th wheel. I would just unhook it from the rails and lift it off when I raised the trailer up. I understand if you want it out of the way, but put a cover over it and out of sight, out of mind.

 

[dodgeguy44]

I like the idea of the Spitzlift but it is overpriced and too many pieces to assemble. I think it would be easy to make. Maybe not as pretty but alot cheaper.



I need something to lift my generator in and out of my truck.



This gave me a good idea where to start. Thanks

 

[jshumate]

Dodgeguy44, here is another version of the hitch mount crane:

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts. aspx/partfamilyid/1492/CategoryID/29/SubcategoryID/345

It looks bigger and heavier and costs twice the spitzlift.

If you come up with a simple, easy to fab design, let me know.