B's Bunch wrote:
I just installed a hydra lift and took a 1, 400 mile trip. Very satisfied. Had to learn to load and unload but other than that never had any issues hauling it along with toeing out 2012 focus. However there are concerns with the install. I think each is differant but doable. The way I installed mine I can install or remove in30 min. Or less. I really like this mount. Larry
Hey Larry,
Is that you Bud? Scott here. How's the Hydralift doing? Got all the "kinks" worked out and get the loading and unloading down? Hope all is well. Still thinking about taking you up on your offer for tours when we get back that way.
MNawman,
If Larry is who I think he is, he's got my old Hydralift. Without a doubt, the Hydralift is by far, the best lift/carrier on the market. I've thoroughly gone over all of them before I purchased and, while Hydralift is pretty proud of their product in terms of price, the quality and type of construction, mechanism, amount of moving parts, strength of moving parts and pivots, design of moving parts, are all superior to any other lift on the market.
When I say they're proud of their product, they are by far, the highest cost too. The last time I checked, a brand new Hydralift, hovers around $4,500, plus or minus. And that does not include tax and shipping. Hydralift, predominantly only ships to a "dealer/installer" of your choice when purchasing new. If you're lucky to find one used, it's up to you to get it to your location.
The durability, quality and assurance of their product is top shelf. Both the Cruiserlift and the Hydralift are powered by an electric motor but, one powers a hydraulic pump and one powers a winch. The dependability of hydraulics now days are outstanding. After all, about 99.99999999% of the jacks/levelers on todays coaches are all hydraulic. Very, very few folks have issues in terms of leaks or problems in the hydraulic side.
I used that Hydralift for over 8,000 miles on our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the 330 C-7 CAT and, never, repeat NEVER, had any issues of any type. That includes handling problems of any type, structural problems of any type, or anything related to that. The primary reason I sold it was because we were a bit over weight and, we wanted a change in toads. So, the Hydralift went bye-bye and we purchased a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab.
Now, we still wanted to carry the Honda Goldwing so, the intent was to purchase a "Rampage" lift/carrier for the truck. Well, that's our picture as of now.
As for your choice, if you were to put both lifts side by side, and watch the action of both, I'm pretty sure you'd like the Hydralift over the other. It all depends on just how much you want to spend.
Now, the second part of the equation. What kind of coach, length, engine, etc. do you have to mount this kind of weight on? The Hydralift itself weighs in the neighborhood of 300, plus or minus a few. Most of the "unknowing" will tell you about all kinds of issues you're going to have. Unless they've done it, and drove with it, and had that kind of weight addition back there, I don't put much faith in what many have to say. Larry will give you first and, new experience on just what kind of effects it had/has on his particular coach.
Ours, like stated, is a 36' diesel and it did flawless. I weighed our coach, front and rear prior to the lift install and the weight of the bike, and it removed exactly 100 lbs. off the front end. BIG DEAL!
The ride height sensors compensated for the additional weight and the coach road at the exact same stance fully loaded as it does now, with no lift or bike on it. Larry used the same mounting characteristics and components that I had. Although with a little "sneer" here, Larry's a bit slow on the removal of the lift for rear of the coach service. If I recall, start to finish, I could have that lift off the back in right close to 8 minutes. I'm sure he's got the process down though. LOL.
Anyway, as you can see and read, I'm definitely a fan of the Hydralift. And, I've got experience with both types of lift mechanisms. The Rampage lift utilizes a winch. Without a doubt, the winch system is antiquated and not near as positive as the hydraulic operation is. Your choice.
Scott
