Cranes on Your 1/4 ton Trailer

[greentruck]

My back is aching...
Old injuries and the vicissitudes of old age are creeping up on me. Thinking ahead to more adventures in the wild -- didn't think some aches and pains were going to stop me, did ya? -- I've been thinking about a way to help get some of my heavier gear in and out of the M101 CDN.

The main object of concern is our spiffy, but heavy, chuck box kitchen. Other things have come into the picture that I really don't want to have to pick up myself and lift over the edge of the bed. I'm not going to do a tailgate for several reasons. So how about a crane?

So I've been looking and thinking. For somewhere less than $90, HF has 2 compact models that look like just what I need:
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-1647.html
or
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-60732.html

Both look pretty much alike. If I go this route, probably whatever's on the shelf at the local HF. I'm definitely going with a hydraulic, as cables are just too iffy for lifting if my back's hurting already, but open to any other ideas or suggestions as to the crane.

One thing is where to mount. I've actually got a tank holder on the drawbar right now that is heavy enough with a little mod it could support the base of the crane. That would be ideal for lifting stuff out of the bed with best reach and balance all around. I am a little concerned that an extreme trail might put the top of the crane through the back window. I haven't taken measurements yet, but I'm probably a little too paranoid.

Rear mounting would be in the way and unbalanced. A mount over one wheel, or just forward of it might work.

Even with the forward mount, I think I'll need to add some outriggers to each front corner of the trailer, although they may not be needed under all circumstances, like lifting when still coupled to the truck.

I thought I'd see what other's might have done about something like this or who might have suggestions.

 

[greentruck]

Came across this Northern Tool crane. On it, the lift is hydraulic, with a winch used to hook up to the load instead of the short chain that HF uses. The reviews were not really enthusiastic, although the pillar mount could be useful for some.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_74569_74569?isSearch=142919-1461

This one is better made, beefy, in fact, probably too heavy for most 1/4 ton trailer needs. Worth noting it you plan on hauling engines, etc.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200579191_200579191

This one has a nice combination of features somewhere between the previous cranes. Looks fairly well made.
http://www.discountramps.com/truck-bed-crane.htm?CA_6C15C=293855885

The Black Bull has a bit more reach than the others, which could be a factor for me. It also is available at the Home Despot.
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Bull-BB07583-Capacity-Pick-Up/dp/B006G66FY2

 

[crushers]

thanks for the links, i have been considering building one for my float, one i can move from socket to socket around the trailer.
i can't build one for the prices you see on the links, modify the foot mount and add an electric winch and golden, thanks again.

 

[Living in the Past]

The Northern tool links didn't work on my phone. I remember at one time Harbor Freight had a crane that had the hydraulic jack and a hand crank cable winch. That would be the best option. If they don't sell it any more maybe make you own by mounting the winch low on the arm and install a pulley at the end. Plan doing this myself. Nice to be able to lift things off the ground and clear the trailer sides. I will install it on the front corner because it's a better point on the trailer. I was surprised my M101A1 bent when I tried to use a come-along From the center of the front to load my M416 in the back with the trailer in the dump position. Ended up using a strap attached in the front corners. Since most my hauling is between homes I plan on a second engine hoist so I have one each place For real heavy item, engines and axles. Camping it's not option so with issues (Ihave them myself) a crane would be a must.

Good luck and post up what you end up doing.

 

[greentruck]

One of the Northern Tool cranes sounds like what you describe HF having, hydraulic lift with a crank winch and 25' of cable. The winch didn't sound very robust in the review I read.

Yeah, a good solid base for these is a must. My propane tank tray has some good solid mounts to the A-frame, but also some big fat 2" square tubes that attach it to the front wall of the trailer. I pretty sure that will work with some more adjustments. Still need to verify how close to interfering with the rear window of the truck this will be.

I've got all winter.

 

[ntsqd]

I've had iffy experiences with Northern Tool. Mostly with their shipping time and charges. I can count on anything coming from them being later than I would like and costing more to get it to me than I expected. They're now a 2nd or even 3rd tier vendor for me.

 

[Living in the Past]

Here is the Harbor Freight hoist I was talking about.http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-with-cable-winch-37555.html I have two Harbor Freight stores less than ten miles away. Think I'll take a look at one. I wonder how hard it would be to shorten the main mast to just above the top of the bed. Curious with the hydraulic ram if the arm would lifts taller item over the bed with a shorter mast? Would also help rear window clearance off road with a lower mast.

My trailer is not set up as a camp trailer but if this hoist was bolted to the front some kind of platform mounted to the front A frame would give a person something to stand on while cranking the winch.

 

[Enigma]

I've been consiudering designing a reciever hitch mounted crane to lift my RTT on and off my 80, could also be used for the M101.
It would be similar to this, but of course would have to be high enough to clear the roof line with room to hoist the tent.
There was a post on here somewhere awhile ago where someone had done one.

 

[greentruck]

Jeff,
Thanks for that. I saw that somewhere as a variation. I was actually thinking maybe it could be modded to fit a slip in square post mount. That way I could have a station on the tongue (most stable) and one on the side in front of the axle or (least stable) on the tail to store it away from the truck end of things. Then I think I figured out it's ~as heavy as the chuck box I want to lift, so will kind of defeat my purpose, I suspect.

Might be an idea for someone with bigger loads and a better back, as would make it more versatile. Or you can just leave it at home. Or someone could just steal it easy out of the trailer...OK, I'm out of good ideas on this one for now.

Fortunately, the chuck box won't be as bulky a load, so I'm sure whatever I get will be easily doable. I'm still sweating the idea of getting the rig in a ditch or other tight spot and sticking the crane through my back window. I probably just need to get out the tape measure and see if I can figure out whether a crane mounted at the front bulkhead of the trailer would intrude or not.

EDIT: OK, Now I got it, You could mount a receiver on the back of the trailer very easily. That baby could slip righ in there. Additional outrigger legs would be absolutely necessary to use it like this, though, and would have to extend far enough to be behind the pivot point of the crane to be safe when it swivels...a lot of hardware for a 1/4 ton, but maybe doable if your fab skills are better than mine.

 

[Enigma]

doable if your fab skills are better than mine.

Oh you don't want me building anything.

I draft/design for a living.

You know the old saying..."those who can't build, draw"

 

[greentruck]

Oh you don't want me building anything.

I draft/design for a living.

You know the old saying..."those who can't build, draw"

No shame in that game. I spent some quality time in mechanical drawing courses myself, all very pre-computer and throughly old school. I was familiar with it even before I started in 9th grade. We had all the tools of the trade at home, because dad trained as an industrial arts teacher before he joined the Air Force to do spooky stuff on refrigeration units and some fab work on monkey spacesuits, etc. So he played both side of the wrench and T-square. I think he left me with a pretty good skill set when growing up, although welding ain't it. I should've hung with grandpa for that, but didn't to my own regret before it was too late.

Now I tend to do projects without much more than rough sketches. That doesn't help other people though and it's bit me in the @ss a time or two, too. Always good to have accurate plans.

 

[Chris Wilcox]

I had the same thought and after doing lots of research came across this skyhook product that would fit my needs.

http://www.skyhook.cc/skyhook_brochure_pdf.pdf

I don't know what the cost would be but it is light and you could weld on a 2" receiver wherever you wanted it to mount.

Chris

 

[volksnick]

I have the red receiver mounted on from above. It is HEAVY and a huge PITA to get it slid into a receiver hitch. Once it is there, it is a dream come true. I'd just back up to an engine, throw a strap on it and crank it up, give it a whirl and lower it down without breaking a sweat... until its time to take it off the truck! Not bad for $189 shipped though.

If you wanted to make it have an alternate base, there is a round base which it rotates in. It has a race in it and the top half has a tapered roller bearing on it. You could just fab up another base with a second race. The only downside is that it gets grease everywhere if you separate the two.


Oh yeah, and the cable comes off the back pulley every now and then and jams up. Two 3/4 wrenches and some disassembly, and you are back in business.

 

[greentruck]

Chris,
The SkyHook is really nice and I'd really like to have one. A little out of my budget right now, but a good choice to have in this thread as it's actually the most suitable. I really like how it weighs 23 lbs, making it easy to move to a different mount.

volksnick,
Thanks for the user experience on the one Jeff posted up. It may have enough reach I'd never have to move it, which is a good thing for my back anyway I suspect. I think the metal ones are what I can afford, but are all heavy enough I wanna go with a fixed mount.

I did take some measurements and feel better about not getting the trailer where it might punch out one of the rear windows -- maybe. I think I'll end up making a cardboard mockup of the mount to verify clearance once I get going on this project, so that's my tip of the day for this thread.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, Wondering on the skyhook truck receiver mount , what is the gear ratio ? Thanks, Mike

 

[greentruck]

Hi, Wondering on the skyhook truck receiver mount , what is the gear ratio ? Thanks, Mike

Mike,
Lit doesn't specify that, but indicates that one rotation of the crank wheel yields 1" of lift.

 

[Luke111]

Does your trailer have a tailgate? rebuild your chuck box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21uSZTaEK1E


Lou

 

[Enigma]

That Skyhook model looks pretty slick, thanks for the link.

 

[Chris Wilcox]

If you end up designing a crane post a picture of the design here. I'd like to see it.

http://www.spitzlift.com/

is the other one that is neat.

 

[greentruck]

Does your trailer have a tailgate? rebuild your chuck box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21uSZTaEK1E


Lou

Lou,
No tailgate. Not so much a fanatic about it being a restoration, I like my trailers strong, so don't really want to go there. I have thought about doing a slide-out for the rear, but when you put something on the rear of a trailer, you gotta put something just as heavy in the nose. So thought about a water tank there. Then you're eating into space in the trailer and making it less usable when not out camping.

And I like the option of the kitchen being away from the trailer. But that means schlepping the chuck box around on a cart or something, the wife won't be helping, her back is worse than mine some days.

So hoisting outta the bed and then moving things a short way away from the trailer seems like the best option. As you can tell, I still really haven't made up my mind, but a crane may be part of the picture, even if I end up putting the kitchen aboard the trailer.