Hydraulic lifts for small cars

tderonne wrote:
For the doubters:

If you bring that to Tennessee, you're going to need a new one because you're going to drag that off the back of the RV. Might work in Kansas.

There was a fella on this forum years ago that carried a smart car on the back of a Prevost.

I don't think anyone said it couldn't be done, but these units have obvious frame enhancements and engineering. It's more about the would than the could. Seems akin to installing an Olympic swimming pool with hardscape waterfalls in the yard of a double wide. Sure you can if you got the money.

tderonne wrote:
Only fairly common "car" that is less than 8.5' long (that I can think of), and could be carried sideways, like a motorcycle, is a Smart car. Internet says they weigh 1600 pounds, quite a bit more than a motorcycle or golf cart. But probably what the front axle of the Honda Element weighs.

Actually the curb weight of a 2007-20014 Smart Fortwo, (Second generation W451, the lightest NON-gray marked models found in the US) is 1653-1753 lbs depending on the option package, and a Cabrio model is 1720-1808. They become heavier with the newer models.

In the pic Tim posted, the mechanism under the motorhome that appears to push down on the front of the pivoting lift, looks rather close to the pavement.

Charles

Google to the rescue:

I've seen SmartCar's on lifts, not common, but they are it, even the Fiat 500 is too long

For the doubters:



http://www.startrackslifts.com/rv-auto-lift-and-tow.html

Only fairly common "car" that is less than 8.5' long (that I can think of), and could be carried sideways, like a motorcycle, is a Smart car. Internet says they weigh 1600 pounds, quite a bit more than a motorcycle or golf cart. But probably what the front axle of the Honda Element weighs.

Compare rear overhang of the wrecker, to rear overhang of average motorhome.
The 1800lb car + lift will add over 4000lb on rear axle.
And huge frame stress, where lot of motorhomes have substandard frame extension in the rear.
You are comparing apples to pumpkins.
Years ago I have seen plans for motorhome with mid-ship garage.
It was limited to low cars only, but seem the idea did not get popular.

It would be tricky to get something like that to work with a car. Think about what would happen in turns: the two wheels of the car that are on the ground would have to slide sideways as the tail of the motorhome swings around. If you have the front wheels lifted, the rear tires will wear very quickly. If you have the rear tires lifted and the steering unlocked, the front wheels might be able to swivel enough to prevent the worst of the tire wear...but it would certainly require ensuring that the alignment of the car is such that they would exhibit proper (reverse) caster in that configuration. In any case, this would put fairly significant lateral forces on the motorhome frame.

A motorcycle works because the motorcycle itself can swivel around the front wheel and basically act as a giant caster. A car obviously doesn't bend in the middle...or if it does, it's not very much good as a car anymore.

I am sure someone could engineer one if you have deep enough pockets. The question would be why? Can't see how this would be easier or anywhere near the cheap cost of tow bars or a dolly. I think there are reasons why you don't see it. Wreckers are designed in a way to be able to carry a load at the rear. Rv's are not. So some serious engineering would need to be done to the framework of the RV.