Lifting a camp trailer.

[N_Jay]

Next (stupid) lift question.

I am getting ready to (finally) get my lift.

It will be a Two Post since I do more brakes than transmissions.
Yes, I am getting older and know setting arms is not going to be my favorite task, but still worth it.

Here is the oddball question.
I was looking at a baseplate model, mostly because I have a camp trailer and a cargo trailer, and lifting a 8 foot+ box on a lift with the cables overhead really limits how high you can lift it.

I guess I can do wheels and axle service lifted only 2 to 3 feet, and can always use a low roller seat under when needed.

Should I go with the baseplate and have more lifting height, but be forever annoyed by the plate,
Or get the overhead and not lift as high.

I have 15+ feet of overhead room.

Does anyone know of a 9 to 12k lift with an extra high cross bar?

 

[nadogail]

My best answer is "It depends".

 

[racecougar]

Won't the arms be right in the way of servicing the wheels/brakes when lifting a trailer on a 2-post?

 

[N_Jay]

It depends on how much my wife lets me spend also.
Just wondering if there are models or brands that have higher lift. (Not really higher lift, but a higher cross bar.)

Really, just looking for insights from the brain trust.

Or "Geeze that cross plate is really not that bad", or "Holey ****, DO Not get a floor plat model, you will hate it!"

I assume what is in the cross bar is a couple of hydraulic hoses and a pair of cables.
Is it impossible or stupid to raise it by using longer cables and hoses?

 

[N_Jay]

Won't the arms be right in the way of servicing the wheels/brakes when lifting a trailer on a 2-post?

Hmmm, need to give this more thought. Was thinking that the arm extensions used for truck frames would work, but might end up with the wheel right were you don't want it.
Or use the lift to put it in jack stands then lower the arms.

 

[Blk88GT]

I've had both the floor plate model and the overhead. I prefer the overhead as I have one low vehicle that needs to get on the lift and wouldn't make it over the plate. Most of the manufacturers have "extended height" models.

If you're thinking of lifting a trailer, you should look at the usable width between columns AND between the carriages. It would be tight.

 

[like2wheel]

Most manufacturers make extended height versions of their lifts for people that work on tall vans & box trucks.

 

[mike93lx]

How often are you servicing trailer axles?

I have never owned a 2 post, but I feel like the base plate would be a real pain in the *** when doing a lot of work, including oil changes or anything that uses a jack, like a motor mount, removing a ******, etc

 

[N_Jay]

Yes, I might be overthinking it.

I do need to call to see if they have extended height, since I purposely built the shop extra tall.

 

[AC-WC]

This is where I bought my C7000. I've had it operating almost 2 yrs now and keep it in a mostly open floor operation. You can move the hydraulic lines almost anywhere to use the open floor.

2-Post Lifts | Wholesale Lifts

liftswholesale.com

I personally would not do the base plate it will be a pain if you ever do a trans. They are a hassle for oil drain dollys.
If this doesn't work for you a full size 11/12k for trucks should give you enough height not to interfere.

Used to be Gregsmith equipment;

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You may also want to contact any of these guys and see if it's physically possible for a base plate model to have the base cables layed in a concrete groove with a flat metal plate as a cover/protector.

 

[zkdiesel]

They make extended height lifts
I have two 16’ and 2 18’ units….

2 post lifts don’t work worth a damn for working on your trailer. You can pick up the back or the front. But you won’t pick entire trailer and think your going to do brakes and wheel bearings

Even if you get past the wheels the post, carriage and everything will be in your way

 

[TurnipTruck]

You will need a tall AND a wide lift.

 

[N_Jay]

They make extended height lifts
I have two 16’ and 2 18’ units….

2 post lifts don’t work worth a damn for working on your trailer. You can pick up the back or the front. But you won’t pick entire trailer and think your going to do brakes and wheel bearings

Even if you get past the wheels the post, carriage and everything will be in your way

What make are your lifts?
What do you like and what do you not like?

 

[zkdiesel]

Rotary lift. Top of the line units. They work great for me

But lifting trailers in them to work on the wheels just isn’t the way to go

 

[mikegt4]

I service the wheels/brakes on my equipment trailer without even using my floor jack. I lower the tongue jack as far down as it will go then put wood blocking under each corner of the dovetail at the rear of the trailer packing in enough wood as possible to fill any gap. Then I use the tongue jack to lift the front of the trailer upwards pivoting the entire trailer on the wood at the rear. The tires come up off the ground enough to remove all 4 of them. It's not as high of a working height as a lift would provide but it's far less expensive. Heavier camper or enclosed trailers might require lifting the tongue with a floor jack.