AirSafe Hitch Moving the Thing

[littlesonny]

Took delivery yesterday on an AirSafe Class V. Hoping this will cure the rather severe porpoising of the TV when going over bridges and some bad roads we experienced last summer.

The Airsafe is crazy heavy and I haven't even added the WD bracket and ball yet. I'm trying to find some sort of system to be able to lift the AirSafe and roll it up to the receiver and the reverse to take it off. I've thought of perhaps a small hydraulic jack or some sort of chain and pulley affair like an engine lift but smaller. Both ideas have obvious drawbacks. I know there are some really clever souls out there. Has anyone found a solution they would care to share?

Thanks kindly.

2015 Sierra 1500 with Max Tow Package
2015 27' Jayco Whitehawk
Equalizer WD Hitch.

[littlesonny]

Thanks for for the replies. I went with a motorcycle jack from Sears. Aluminum, weighs just 44lbs. Works a treat. The AirSafe sits on the two rubber covered lift panels perfectly. The rubber also helps stop the AirSafe from slipping when you need to push it in that last bit. Easy to roll around. Easy to raise and lower in small movements to slot into the receiver. A bit of a pricey solution at $199 but Sears had it on sale for $179 with another $9 off for putting it on the Sears card. Should be useful on occasion for other jobs and besides it makes dealing with the AirSafe a piece of cake. If one had no desire to take it with you or can manage 80-100lbs dead weight there are MC jacks for considerably less.

Once having got it installed on the truck I saw that it doesn't stick out much more than the previous hitch. I don't mind leaving it on for a few days, like now when we're leaving in just three days. When we are going to be gone longer at 44lbs I can get it into the truck without too much worry in case we did need to take it off for whatever reason.

Umbilical cord reached fine but the safety chains are a couple of inches short and welded to the tongue so I installed D anchor clamps to make up the difference.

I inflated the bag to 40 psi per instructions. Any advise on that?

[ktmrfs]

littlesonny wrote:
I'm considering getting a motorcycle lift jack or a lift table. A somewhat expensive solution but should work with both lifting and moving. I'd have to lift it one time to get it on the jack and after that it shouldn't need much lifting other than wiggling the hitch free from the receiver. I've found cheap ones for about $100 but they weigh about 80 pounds or more and seem of dubious quality. Sears has one made of aluminum which only weighs 44lbs, gets excellent reviews with no problems, but it runs $175. Think it might also be a better option because I could get it in the truck bed to have with us should I not want to drive around with the AirSafe sticking out the back. Pricey but better than compounding my back issues. Thoughts anyone?

I drive with it sticking out the back all the time when we are camping. Often just leave it in between trips if it will only be a week or so.

the hf dolly works good, but it's still 100 lbs getting it in and out of the stinger.

[ktmrfs]

littlesonny wrote:
I'm considering getting a motorcycle lift jack or a lift table. A somewhat expensive solution but should work with both lifting and moving. I'd have to lift it one time to get it on the jack and after that it shouldn't need much lifting other than wiggling the hitch free from the receiver. I've found cheap ones for about $100 but they weigh about 80 pounds or more and seem of dubious quality. Sears has one made of aluminum which only weighs 44lbs, gets excellent reviews with no problems, but it runs $175. Think it might also be a better option because I could get it in the truck bed to have with us should I not want to drive around with the AirSafe sticking out the back. Pricey but better than compounding my back issues. Thoughts anyone?

I drive with it sticking out the back all the time when we are camping. Often just leave it in between trips if it will only be a week or so.

the hf dolly works good, but it's still 100 lbs getting it in and out of the stinger.

[littlesonny]

I'm considering getting a motorcycle lift jack or a lift table. A somewhat expensive solution but should work with both lifting and moving. I'd have to lift it one time to get it on the jack and after that it shouldn't need much lifting other than wiggling the hitch free from the receiver. I've found cheap ones for about $100 but they weigh about 80 pounds or more and seem of dubious quality. Sears has one made of aluminum which only weighs 44lbs, gets excellent reviews with no problems, but it runs $175. Think it might also be a better option because I could get it in the truck bed to have with us should I not want to drive around with the AirSafe sticking out the back. Pricey but better than compounding my back issues. Thoughts anyone?

[ktmrfs]

yup, it's heavy. I went to harbor freight and bought one of the very small moving dollys. then I attached a couple of 2x4 pieces to be able to place the hitch on the dolly with enough ground clearance to move it around. makes it easier to move around. still need to lift it in or drop it out.

yup the airsafe makes a huge difference and improvement on frost heaves, rough roads etc. one of the best updates I've done.

[transamz9]

Get you a transmission jack.

[the_bear_II]

Do a google search I've seen lifts for sale specifically designed for WDH type hitches. I used a floor jack for mine just requires a balancing act while pumping up the jack.

[the_bear_II]

Do a google search I've seen lifts for sale specifically designed for WDH type hitches. I used a floor jack for mine just requires a balancing act while pumping up the jack.