Hydraulic lifts for small cars

Agreed, this is definitely one of those things that it definitely CAN be done, and a few companies have done it. However, due to the cost and engineering needed, and availability of much less expensive and practical solutions, it becomes a question of, WHY.

For another example of a coach maker that has this, Check out PowerHouse Coach's "Ultimate Vehicle Tow System", shown on their videos page HERE.

If money were no object and I was having a custom coach built from the ground up.....Yeah, I could see having a lift like this built, engineered into it. Would be really, really nice to be able to tow ANY vehicle without having to alter it, and be able to back up with it without having to unhitch. Just becomes a question of how much $$ you willing to part with to make that happen. :)

foopy1 wrote:
Does anyone make a hydraulic lift that can carry a small car on the back of a rig. I have seen them for motorcycles and scooters. Is it possible to carry a car?

Short answer is Yes. The question seems to be is it really desirable given the existing options?

Trailers are available in numerous configurations that would provide backing ability and poses storage concerns in some cases.

Tow dollies are inexpensive and often available used at even better prices. Backing is difficult to impossible and storage is sometimes an issue.

Four down towing is good when an existing vehicle is capable of being used that way. Initial setup is a little pricy when comared to a dolly, but there are no storage issues.

It all comes down to what someone is happy with and what existing equipment/vehicles are involved.

Pivoting point is not changing COG.
I did drive 1400 lb Fiat 126 in my years, but don't think I would like to do it again.
The whooping 21 HP was pretty annoying.
But I can only wonder how much time the manufacturers need to come with electric cabrio that is 8 foot long?
Without long range requirements it can be pretty light and you can always reload some batteries to front compartment of motorhome.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
Wreckers have the rear axle of the truck positioned all the way at the very rear of the bed. A wheel lift from a wrecker wouldn't work when positioned 10 feet behind the axle of a motorhome. Too much stress on the aft frame.

The pivot point of the arm on a wrecker is in front of the rear axle too. That would help to not remove weight from the front axle, similar to how a 5th wheel distributes the weight.

Wreckers have the rear axle of the truck positioned all the way at the very rear of the bed. A wheel lift from a wrecker wouldn't work when positioned 10 feet behind the axle of a motorhome. Too much stress on the aft frame.

okhmbldr wrote:
I think a great lift for a motor home would be one that is used on a wrecker. You've all seen the lift slid out of the rear of the wrecker, drop down, pick up the front wheels of the car and retract back for towing. That would be the best tow dolly ever!

Your dolly would weigh 4000 pounds! But it would be easy to load the car.

While only half of the car, it's easy to back up.


Not a dolly:

Executive wrote:
This is what I had in mind......Dennis

X2 :)

I've seen Smart cars loaded sideways behind the cab/sleeper of a class 8 tractor, pulling a big RV fifth wheel or gooseneck LQ horse trailer. They drive the Smart up a pair of ramps that hang off the side of the tractor and fold up once the car is on.

This is what I had in mind......Dennis