I have an idea for a useful project to save my aching back. I would like to rig a pulley and sling system from my garage ceiling that would enable me to easily lift my fifth wheel hitch out of the bed of my truck. Once the hitch is raised off of the bed, I can pull forward and lower it onto a rolling dolly on the garage floor for storage. You would simply reverse the process to load the hitch back in. Has anyone ever done anything like this before and if so, are there pictures or plans? Thanks!
Pulley Lift for Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Thread starter Paul_W
- Start date
We have a jib type crane with an electric lift. Makes it easy. However we use a double pully system to take off the Jeep hard top and store it in the rafters until cold weather returns. Works great. Should be an easy project for you to rig a hoist. You can purchase kits or the pulleys (block and tackle) at most any large hardware or farm store.
Paul,
In my last home, on the header above the garage door, I mounted a AC winch similar to this one:
In my last home, on the header above the garage door, I mounted a AC winch similar to this one:
rebootsemi
Well-known member
In my shop I have a 14" lam beam that I hook a rope block and tackle from and hoist the whole unit in and out of the truck, drop it on a dolly done. Got the block and tackle off the web if I remember was around $40. You would want to make sure your garage roof joists will hold up to the weight of the 5th wheel hitch.
Bighurt
Well-known member
And you can lift it off with the trailer...LOL
rick_debbie_gallant
Well-known member
Got a simple chain fall from Harbor freight. Also bought one of them square furniture mover dolly's that are flat and about 36" by 36" (give or take) Hitch fits on it great. I plan on taking the dolly with me to set the hitch on once we settle in for the winter.
JohnDar
Prolifically Gabby Member
I remove and reinstall my 16K Reese hitch with nothing more than a pair of gloves. It breaks down into two parts simply by knocking the large pin out that holds the head to the base frame. Takes about 5 minutes to get it off the truck, carried and stored in the garage under a tarp for the winter. All of the pins get stored in a small plastic coffee can I set under it.
We use a 2-ton chain hoist and then set the hitch on a dolly. Bought the 2 ton hoist onsale at Northern Tool on Black Friday for $30 and we made sure there's good bracing overhead. We use the "clean-bed" system so we don't need to bother with the rails.
westxsrt10
Perfict Senior Member
I mounted a 110v harbor frieght hoist / sling to the rafters in my garage.
http://www.harborfreight.com/110-volt-440-lb-capacity-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-40765.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-webbing-sling-44847.html
I am able to install / remove the hitch myself if needed. I keep the hitch on a rolling movers dolly to move it around. No effort, no back ache.
Doug
http://www.harborfreight.com/110-volt-440-lb-capacity-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-40765.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-webbing-sling-44847.html
I am able to install / remove the hitch myself if needed. I keep the hitch on a rolling movers dolly to move it around. No effort, no back ache.
Doug
beardedone
Beardedone
I'm just leaving mine in the box this year for the first time. I have to drive 150 km each way every day for medical reasons for a couple of months so the extra weight in the box will be useful on icy roads.
JWalker
Northeast Region Director-Retired
Just thought I would show my low cost, easy to operate, one man hitch installer/remover. This is just a temporary set up until I finish my garage. I bought a wheel barrow for $5.00 at a yard sale. Pull the hitch, lower into the wheel barrow and wheel into the shed. Lift out of the wheel barrow and install into the truck. The 2000lb. winch is from Harbor Freight, about $30. It is geared very low, so you can lower and raise very accurately. That is also a negative because it only moves a 1/4" per crank. It takes forever to move a great distance. My daughter cranked it down while I guided it into the bed rails. Worked perfectly.
Also worked great to lift the front of the riding mower up about 3' to clean the mower deck.
Also worked great to lift the front of the riding mower up about 3' to clean the mower deck.
dieselengineer
Charter Member
Looks real good Jamie, simple and functional, I like that. I may need to up grade the method I use. I have a nice pair of work gloves that I put on and I just go pick the hitch up.
Nice Jamie!
I am getting a TS3 hitch and they're really heavy so I need an electric winch. So your project gave me the push to order something (Harbor Freight online).
1500 Lb. Capacity 120 Volt AC Electric Winch
I am getting a TS3 hitch and they're really heavy so I need an electric winch. So your project gave me the push to order something (Harbor Freight online).
1500 Lb. Capacity 120 Volt AC Electric Winch
