I'm with you. I will be 66.5 when we start our full time adventure. We are looking at Predator 5000 watt. We just started researching hitch type hoist for the Chevy 3500 we just got brand new. I didn't even think I would need it for the electric bikes we plan on getting.
I actually bought Harbor Freight's hitch hoist. It works well. I am 76 now, and things I did easily at 66 are not so easy now. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Excellent my friend... I already have the Predator 3500... now after watching this... I'm going to go and buy the crane... what a BIG help it will be for me....
Hey Peter, thank you! You may want to watch one of my later videos, too. I installed a Decked Storage system in the bed of my truck, so I had to remove the Harbor Freight crane. I installed a hitch crane which also works well. ua-cam.com/video/CfjD7JNkhME/v-deo.html. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I'm 68, I needed to do the same thing as you with no help. I did get the HF crane with the hand crank and mounted that on my flatbed Chevy. Chevy bed has heavy sheet metal on it already that some one did and a nice job too. Once crane was installed I added the 2500 lb. 12 volt winch along with a deep cycle battery mounted along side and HF solar panel to trickle charge the battery. I have a travel trailer as well, all the heavy equipment is easily loaded and unloaded. I also use it to load 150 lbs hay bales for the animals, loaded rail road ties for a friend's corral. This is so useful well worth the money.
Nice job, I am getting to that age where I might need some help in the future, the only thing missing is how you mounted the brackets underneath. Did you attach it to a frame connection or just to the bed of the truck?
Hi Joseph. The mini crane definitely needs additional supports under the bed. I had to go back and add angle iron bars under the frame. Eventually, although I liked the mini crane, in a later video I switched to a hitch mounted crane. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I think the instructions says not to bolt it only to the bed but to connect to the frame. I am in the same dilemma with my 1982 F150, other people have had to make up reinforcing plates underneath out of 1/4" steel which connect to the bed supports.
Hi Chris, yes, my truck has some rust issues particularly with the bed frame. That made it difficult for me. I am currently looking for a good deal on a newer F-350 Powerstroke. Mine is a 2007. Runs great, but I am planning on upgrading to a 2017-2019. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I am wondering why the reinforcing plate was mounted on top and not beneath the bed? Also, is that a piece of aluminum instead of steel? I like the way the unit worked and I have one now too-with the hand crank winch. I think once you have this installed there will be a lot of uses for it. I can see not needed to back up to a hill to unload something heavy. Nice work.
Hi Bob. The plate is aluminum, and even though I put it on top of the bed, I am still going to have to add additional reinforcement under the bed... maybe a long piece of 2x2 angle iron. The bed still flexes more than I like. Thanks for watching and commenting! Merry Christmas!
@@RVSite2Sight Hi Again. I bought this to lift heavier auto pieces-rear ends, transmissions, etc from the floor of my garage up to the loft like shelf above for storage. I wound up using a piece of 1/4 by 14 1/2 x 24 flat steel beneath the one inch plywood floor that was screwed to the 2 x 6" joists. I put 2@ 2 x 8's side by side within the joists and bolted all the way through from the top using 1/2" x 4' bolts, flat washers and nuts. Did some 2 x 3/8 x 4 lag screws from the joists through the 2 x 6s and it all seems pretty sturdy--will find out tomorrow when I pick up the 1st load. I question why they do not want us to use the crank to do any lifting? If this does not allow me enough to lift the 8 feet I may have to use an electric winch to pull the load all the way as 8 feet is quite a distance. Product looks to be pretty well made and it went together well. My only other concern is the 3 short allen bolts used to hold the winch on to the crane bar. Yours working out OK for you? Merry Christmas!
If that ram is like ones in their other tools it needs to be topped off with ram or Jack oil. The way you were jacking that handle makes me think it needs some oil.
Hi Terry. You're probably right. I will say that I had to change cranes later to a different type. My old truck bed couldn't take the pressure on the mount.
I want to add a davit/hoist arm like that in the bed of my truck. I'd like to put a small winch on it to help raise and lower the load. Maybe weld a ring on the end of the hoist (like the tip of a fishing rod) to hold the winch cable out to the end of the arm. Put a DC receptacle in the bed to power the winch. Thought I'd use the trailer lights/trailer brakes wiring that's already there to power the winch. I need AC/DC power in the truck bed, and I have an inverter to convert to AC. Wouldn't need trailer lights and winch at the same time.that be too much of a load to have the winch and trailer lightson the sane wiring? Not like id be running both at the same time. Maybe a toggle switch to switch between winch and trailer lights. Y'all know lots more about this than I do. Do you have any suggestions? Do you think this work? I'm also going to put a tonneau cover to protect what's in the bed.
Adding a hoist to the mini crane would be simple. Mount a boat winch on the back of the crane and mount a pulley on the end. I actually built a 35' crane many years ago to install signs. You've already thought it out, now go ahead and do it. Thanks for watching and commenting.
, If i can ask you a few questions, what year and make is your truck? I had this crane on my last truck an 09 Chevy it went with the truck when sold it my new truck is a 21 Ford with an aluminum bed. When I mounted it on my Chevy I used a 2 x 2 ft 1/4 inch steel plate it worked great I would pick up snowblowers all the time biggest thing was a 15000 watt generator But now I'm af afraid of bending my bed
Dan, this may surprise you, but my truck is an old 2007 F20 Powerstroke 6.0 diesel. Fortunately, it had a steel bed. However, since I installed the Decked box, I removed it and went with a receiver hitch mounted crane. Granted, it's not quite as handy, and will not pick up as much, but it handles up to 500 lbs pretty easily. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I had one of these hoists 10 years ago. It definitely needs to be reinforced to the frame. First time I used it it bent the bed. I never used it again.If you have a thick flat bed it would be great. I am going to try one that sits on the ground and attaches to a Reese hitch.
Hi Hunter Lover. I had to reinforce mine, both on top of the bed and under. With the boom extended while picking up my generator, it flexed my bed, but didn't bend it. Just use caution. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Me too, Anthony. I filled up my F250 the other day and it was over $200! Something has to be done, or there won't be much rving at my house. Thanks for watching an d commenting.
I usually try to be careful, but I admit, I have had some close calls. However, at 73 years old, and spending my childhood growing up on a farm, so far, no broken bones. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I'm with you. I will be 66.5 when we start our full time adventure. We are looking at Predator 5000 watt. We just started researching hitch type hoist for the Chevy 3500 we just got brand new. I didn't even think I would need it for the electric bikes we plan on getting.
I actually bought Harbor Freight's hitch hoist. It works well. I am 76 now, and things I did easily at 66 are not so easy now. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Excellent my friend... I already have the Predator 3500... now after watching this... I'm going to go and buy the crane... what a BIG help it will be for me....
Hey Peter, thank you! You may want to watch one of my later videos, too. I installed a Decked Storage system in the bed of my truck, so I had to remove the Harbor Freight crane. I installed a hitch crane which also works well. ua-cam.com/video/CfjD7JNkhME/v-deo.html. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I'm 68, I needed to do the same thing as you with no help. I did get the HF crane with the hand crank and mounted that on my flatbed Chevy. Chevy bed has heavy sheet metal on it already that some one did and a nice job too. Once crane was installed I added the 2500 lb. 12 volt winch along with a deep cycle battery mounted along side and HF solar panel to trickle charge the battery. I have a travel trailer as well, all the heavy equipment is easily loaded and unloaded. I also use it to load 150 lbs hay bales for the animals, loaded rail road ties for a friend's corral. This is so useful well worth the money.
Okay, Ray... I gotcha beat... I'll soon be 73! I like the winch idea. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Take my word for it and beef up the bed underneath. A bracket off the frame is needed. 300LBS did a number on my bed.
Ron, I plan on doing that. Even after adding the support plate, I can see it needs more. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Muy interesante el tutorial, se agradece, saludos desde Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
Juan, me alegro que hayas disfrutado del video. ¡Muchas gracias por mirar y comentar! Además, no hablo español, pero sé cómo usar Google Translate.😀
Great your all set. I bought a kriptonight lock for mine on amazon just saying
Hey Howard. Yes, I will need to secure it. That sounds like a good idea. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Nice job, I am getting to that age where I might need some help in the future, the only thing missing is how you mounted the brackets underneath. Did you attach it to a frame connection or just to the bed of the truck?
Hi Joseph. The mini crane definitely needs additional supports under the bed. I had to go back and add angle iron bars under the frame. Eventually, although I liked the mini crane, in a later video I switched to a hitch mounted crane. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I think the instructions says not to bolt it only to the bed but to connect to the frame. I am in the same dilemma with my 1982 F150, other people have had to make up reinforcing plates underneath out of 1/4" steel which connect to the bed supports.
Hi Chris, yes, my truck has some rust issues particularly with the bed frame. That made it difficult for me. I am currently looking for a good deal on a newer F-350 Powerstroke. Mine is a 2007. Runs great, but I am planning on upgrading to a 2017-2019. Thanks for watching and commenting.
You’re so cute.. loved everything about this video! Are you still enjoying it?
Actually had to switch to a receiver hitch type crane. Thanks for watching and commenting.
ua-cam.com/video/CfjD7JNkhME/v-deo.html
@@RVSite2Sight can you recommend a brand? I’m a solo female RVer and the generator weight is really tough for me.
I am wondering why the reinforcing plate was mounted on top and not beneath the bed? Also, is that a piece of aluminum instead of steel? I like the way the unit worked and I have one now too-with the hand crank winch.
I think once you have this installed there will be a lot of uses for it. I can see not needed to back up to a hill to unload something heavy. Nice work.
Hi Bob. The plate is aluminum, and even though I put it on top of the bed, I am still going to have to add additional reinforcement under the bed... maybe a long piece of 2x2 angle iron. The bed still flexes more than I like. Thanks for watching and commenting! Merry Christmas!
@@RVSite2Sight Hi Again. I bought this to lift heavier auto pieces-rear ends, transmissions, etc from the floor of my garage up to the loft like shelf above for storage. I wound up using a piece of 1/4 by 14 1/2 x 24 flat steel beneath the one inch plywood floor that was screwed to the 2 x 6" joists. I put 2@ 2 x 8's side by side within the joists and bolted all the way through from the top using 1/2" x 4' bolts, flat washers and nuts. Did some 2 x 3/8 x 4 lag screws from the joists through the 2 x 6s and it all seems pretty sturdy--will find out tomorrow when I pick up the 1st load. I question why they do not want us to use the crank to do any lifting? If this does not allow me enough to lift the 8 feet I may have to use an electric winch to pull the load all the way as 8 feet is quite a distance. Product looks to be pretty well made and it went together well. My only other concern is the 3 short allen bolts used to hold the winch on to the crane bar.
Yours working out OK for you?
Merry Christmas!
If that ram is like ones in their other tools it needs to be topped off with ram or Jack oil. The way you were jacking that handle makes me think it needs some oil.
Hi Terry. You're probably right. I will say that I had to change cranes later to a different type. My old truck bed couldn't take the pressure on the mount.
Yes we all could use one of those.
Especially at my age! It's been a lifesaver!
I want to add a davit/hoist arm like that in the bed of my truck. I'd like to put a small winch on it to help raise and lower the load. Maybe weld a ring on the end of the hoist (like the tip of a fishing rod) to hold the winch cable out to the end of the arm. Put a DC receptacle in the bed to power the winch. Thought I'd use the trailer lights/trailer brakes wiring that's already there to power the winch. I need AC/DC power in the truck bed, and I have an inverter to convert to AC. Wouldn't need trailer lights and winch at the same time.that be too much of a load to have the winch and trailer lightson the sane wiring? Not like id be running both at the same time. Maybe a toggle switch to switch between winch and trailer lights. Y'all know lots more about this than I do. Do you have any suggestions? Do you think this work? I'm also going to put a tonneau cover to protect what's in the bed.
Adding a hoist to the mini crane would be simple. Mount a boat winch on the back of the crane and mount a pulley on the end. I actually built a 35' crane many years ago to install signs. You've already thought it out, now go ahead and do it. Thanks for watching and commenting.
, If i can ask you a few questions, what year and make is your truck? I had this crane on my last truck an 09 Chevy it went with the truck when sold it my new truck is a 21 Ford with an aluminum bed. When I mounted it on my Chevy I used a 2 x 2 ft 1/4 inch steel plate it worked great I would pick up snowblowers all the time biggest thing was a 15000 watt generator
But now I'm af afraid of bending my bed
Dan, this may surprise you, but my truck is an old 2007 F20 Powerstroke 6.0 diesel. Fortunately, it had a steel bed. However, since I installed the Decked box, I removed it and went with a receiver hitch mounted crane. Granted, it's not quite as handy, and will not pick up as much, but it handles up to 500 lbs pretty easily. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I meant to say F250.
I had one of these hoists 10 years ago. It definitely needs to be reinforced to the frame. First time I used it it bent the bed. I never used it again.If you have a thick flat bed it would be great. I am going to try one that sits on the ground and attaches to a Reese hitch.
Is the truck flooring strong enough?
Hi Hunter Lover. I had to reinforce mine, both on top of the bed and under. With the boom extended while picking up my generator, it flexed my bed, but didn't bend it. Just use caution. Thanks for watching and commenting.
God how I missed that diesel price 3:44
Me too, Anthony. I filled up my F250 the other day and it was over $200! Something has to be done, or there won't be much rving at my house. Thanks for watching an d commenting.
Please don't place your arm in the danger zone sir, if simething fails, you wont break bones.
I usually try to be careful, but I admit, I have had some close calls. However, at 73 years old, and spending my childhood growing up on a farm, so far, no broken bones. Thanks for watching and commenting.
You need a camera mount
Okay, I'm open for suggestions. Could you be more specific?
Tripod so you don’t have to hold it
Not sure about the spelling
Spelling doesn't matter. I will get one. Thanks.