Ground to roof lift - Montana Owners Club

mtlakejim · 03-08-2020, 06:43 PM

I weld a bit and have been looking at designing a lift to get heavy objects (IE: A/C units) up on the roof of tall RVs. Got a guy who is RV mobile Repairman that needs one. Any ideas? Has to be able to fold up to under 8' to fit his van.

Slow Hand · 03-08-2020, 09:59 PM

Thats a tall order LOL
My rv is 13.5 so maybe a crane with a extension for the boom. It would have to be strong to lift about 200#. you would need a generator and a electric winch. I wonder is a Warn winch would do the trick. It would take some serious fabrication.

Golfmedik · 03-09-2020, 02:34 AM

I've seen one of our smaller RV repair centers here in GA use an extension ladder like roofers use to transport shingles up on the roof. Not terribly expensive, but effective.

MidMOTraveler · 03-09-2020, 06:36 AM

Safety Hoist Company makes several kinds of ladder style lifts.
I’ve used ( rented) them several times.

BB_TX · 03-09-2020, 07:58 AM

The Safety Hoist is sort of an elaborate (and expensive) way of what DIYers do using a ladder. But you could fab something similar using lightweight square tubing to form a rail system with a rope pulled removeable trolley to lift the load. The tubular rail could be broken into 2 or 3 sections that would fit into each other (smaller tube sections welded inside larger outer tubing) and break down for ease of transport. And the trolley could be fitted with rope and pulley(s) to reduce the effective weight of the pulling to get the load up to the roof.
The bottom would need anchoring either by a 2nd person, or by some strapping method to keep it from slipping out as the load reached the top.

jeffba · 03-09-2020, 05:22 PM

something to clamp to the ladder.....

mazboy · 03-09-2020, 07:54 PM

i can't image what you need to put up on your roof that isn't already there.

I just say 2 ladders and a couple of people would work just as well with less cost.

BB_TX · 03-09-2020, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazboy

i can't image what you need to put up on your roof that isn't already there.

I just say 2 ladders and a couple of people would work just as well with less cost.

A 2nd AC for units with only one, or a 3rd where there is 2, or replacing an AC unit that had failed would be most likely. But a mobile repairman working alone may find other things such as a satellite dish very difficult to get up on top by ladder. A good lift method could mean taking a job rather than having to pass it up.

Sdgood1 · 03-09-2020, 08:36 PM

I’d check in to modifying a drywall lift.. some of them can go 20’ or so high. And can handle (guess) that kind of weight

Renegade1LI · 03-11-2020, 10:45 PM

I use a dry wall lift for lots of stuff, just need to be on stable ground. The forks will lock horizontal & I think it will lift 200lbs, I went with a panel lift made in USA, no chineesium steel if I can help it.

Renegade1LI · 03-11-2020, 10:48 PM

You can also rent a material lift from home depot with forks & a boom, 1200lbs capacity.

JBS · 03-15-2020, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

I weld a bit and have been looking at designing a lift to get heavy objects (IE: A/C units) up on the roof of tall RVs. Got a guy who is RV mobile Repairman that needs one. Any ideas? Has to be able to fold up to under 8' to fit his van.

They make ladders with a lift on them

Dave W · 03-15-2020, 02:50 PM

Look at a Werner Multi Ladder used straight (https://www.wernerco.com/us/products.../Multi-Ladders). I have a 13 foot version wuich is too short but possibly an 18 or 22 foot version along with a block and tackle rig would work. When I added the second a/c. I used a 15 foot aluminum ladder and just slid the a/c up attached to the pallet. It's about 100 pounds that way

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