{"id":10304,"date":"2020-02-14T16:23:15","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T22:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/rv-motorcycle-lift-systems-differences-and-comparison\/"},"modified":"2023-09-23T06:45:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-23T11:45:28","slug":"rv-motorcycle-lift-systems-differences-and-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/rv-motorcycle-lift-systems-differences-and-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"RV Motorcycle Lift Systems Differences and Comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you want to take your motorcycle, ATV or golf cart with\nyou on your RV trips, you will need a way to transport it. One of the easiest\nways is to have a hydraulic or electric cargo lift system installed on the back\nof your Class A Motorhome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are 3 major manufacturers of cargo lifts or carriers\nfor motorhomes, but not all are the same. We investigated them all and listed\nthe differences of each below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three major manufacturers of cargo lift systems\nfor RVs: Hydralift-USA, Mighty Hauler and Cruiserlift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3 significant differences in RV Motorcycle Lift systems are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve highlighted their differences and uses below, along\nwith cost estimates for each.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Important Tip: No matter which lifting system you choose, if you are transporting motorcycles make sure to purchase a Self-Locking Wheel Chock to secure it in place.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hydralift is a top of the line hydraulic lift manufacturer that\noffers several different models to accommodate everything from motorcycles, to\ngolf carts, to trikes and even side-by-sides. They even have a special model 5096GC\nbuilt specifically for the heavier Luxury Garia Cart street legal golf carts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Considered to be the top of the line in the RV industry,\nHydralifts are one of the most expensive on the market with a price range between\n$6,000-$15,000, depending on the options that you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hydralift is the only manufacturer that does not use any\nwinches or cables and is strictly hydraulic. Hydraulic systems are generally\nquieter and have greater lifting capabilities, in some models up to 1,300\npounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The system is powered by your RV\u2019s 12V battery and can be\neasily operated by one person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hydralift has a patented locking system to keep your motorcycle\nlift in place while traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is an installation option now that allows you to\nuninstall and transfer the unit to another RV. That way if you purchase another\nmotorhome you don\u2019t have to leave it behind and buy a whole new lift system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It mounts to the chassis frame instead of mounting on a\ntrailer hitch and is the lightest power lift on the market. The loading ramp\ndrops to the ground, so loading is easy. They also offer a folding option for\nstorage when not in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hydralift cargo lifts mount higher than other lifts, which keeps you from reducing your rear ground clearance and scraping the ground with your chassis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a wide range of features and top quality manufacturing,\nit\u2019s easy to see why Hydralift is a top choice among RV owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second most versatile cargo lift is Mighty Hauler which makes rear hitch-mounted carriers. They offer different models that can lift motorcycles up to 1,000 pounds. They also have carriers with 1,200-pound lifting capability for golf carts and trikes, but these are for diesel pushers only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mighty Hauler offers a manual jack system and an electric hydraulic bottle jack system. I was a little concerned about how much effort would be required to use the manual jack system. When I spoke with the owners at Mighty Hauler, they assured me that the manual jacking was very easy to use, since they supply a 6,000-pound lifting jack for the 1,000-pound lift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At a price range of around $1,500-$3,000 depending on the\noptions you choose, the Mighty Hauler is less expensive than a Hydralift. But\nthere is a trade-off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While it does have an impressive lifting capacity of up to 1,200 pounds, it does not have all of the options available for Hydralift. That being said, you might not need them for your particular use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing to consider is whether you will need to\nreinforce your RV frame or upgrade your hitch, which will add to the overall\nprice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can flat tow a car behind the Mighty Hauler, but you will need a three-point hitch. It is available from Mighty Hauler as an accessory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mighty Hauler gets great reviews, so if you don\u2019t need a\nunit as powerful and versatile as the Hydralift, the Mighty Hauler is a good\nchoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: Not sure what size your RV hitch is? Your hitch\nrating can be found on the hitch itself on the back of your motorhome or in\nyour RV manual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most Class A Diesel RV frames can handle the extra weight of\na lift system, but not all Class A Gas RVs can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a Class A Gas RV, you will need to determine if\nyour chassis frame runs the full length of your motorhome without any welded-on\nextensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there are welded on extensions, they may not be able to\ncarry the extra weight. The different lift manufacturers do offer some\ninstallation options, but you will need to know this information first. The\neasiest way to find out about your frame is to check with your motorhome\nmanufacturer for your specific RV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An overweight RV is an UNSAFE RV, so it\u2019s extremely important that you know your vehicle weight ratings and the actual weight when fully loaded. This includes all gear, fuel, water, and passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can locate your Gross Axle Weight Rating- Rear\n(GAWR-Rear) in your coach manual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: If you want to learn how to properly weigh your RV,\nwe wrote this post which covers that- XXXX<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your RV cannot carry a hydraulic lift system, there are\nstill several options that will allow you to tow your recreational vehicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best options that we found instead of a lift system is the Swivelwheel made by Cruiserlift. This two-wheel system works with pretty much all motorhomes (gas or diesel). One of the great things about the Swivelwheel is that even when fully loaded, you can actually back up without disconnecting it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Swivelwheel-DW58 Tandem Dolly- Photo Credit Cruiserlift<\/p>\n\n\n\n This dual wheel platform system will carry up to 1,200\npounds AND let you tow a car up to 6,000 pounds behind the loaded platform. You\nwill need an auxiliary braking system on your tow vehicle and you must tow with\nall 4 wheels on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tandem towing system comes with a dual insert rotational\nbar and uses a caster wheel system. Your RV will need at least a Class 3\nReceiver (but we would use at least a Class 4 or 5) and should have the\ncapacity to pull the added weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Swivelwheel 58DW-Tandem Tow Starts at $4200. Some available options are a power ramp loader and a 6-inch platform extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cruiserlift gets great reviews and may be a great option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Hydralift Highlights<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Choose Hydralift?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mounted to the RV Chassis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mighty Hauler Highlights<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Choose Mighty Hauler?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can Your RV Handle a Hydraulic Lift System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s Your RV Weight and GAWR-Rear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What To Do If Your RV Can\u2019t Carry A Hydraulic Lift System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Swivelwheel-DW58 Tandem Dolly by Cruiserlift<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Swivelwheel Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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