Designing and building a TOWABLE spec lift

[FattyJR]

Hello out there, Hopefully I am in the right place.

I have been in the automotive arena for a number of years building all sorts of different part and vehicles.

I have now embarked on importing (well actually 2 )a 1947 chevy truck from the USA. Shipping is all sorted within the usa and all I have to do is collect from the UK docks and bring it home.

I planned to hire a trailer to do the job, but there is no-one local with a trailer suitable OR low enough for my liking. So I am planning on designing and building a low level towable spec lift with high speed dollys (similar to the collins kit you can buy) for the rear.

I have a rough idea what I need to do etc, but would like a 2nd opinion for the set up as two heads are better than one. I think the main problem is the position of the pivots for the spec lift.

Take a look at my rough drawing and any suggestions, drop me line

 

[FattyJR]

Looks like my picture didn't post so will try again

 

[BrianGar]

Could you not give someone with a tilt bed a few pound for the day instead? Many recovery yards and breakdown crews are sitting idle at the minute.
Costs will add up on that super fast - plus will you have any use for it once you are done? and if not, would you be comfortable selling it on?

Brian,

 

[patprimmer]

Do you know the condition of the rear tyres, axles and wheels of these trucks as those components would be used with that contraption, well at least according to your drawing if not your description.

Also the device looks to have very poor torsional stability as the central draw bar could easily twist as load transfers sideways. I would have thought an A frame rather than a single RHS drawbar.

It is not at all clear, but are you planning on two of these devices. One under the front and one under the rear with the front articulating but the rear locked in straight ahead?

I am sure local earth moving companies transport their equipment on what we call a Low Loader semi trailer.

Regards
Pat
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[LionelHutz]

Never used a car dolly before?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=car+dolly

Or a car trailer with a winch?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=car+trailer+with+a+winch

I find it very hard to believe one of these options won't work.

Just looking at your picture makes me shudder. You won't have a stable tow vehicle with the back end being lifted off the ground. A buddy tried that with a dump trailer improperly loaded and lost about $10k on the truck he crashed. As for pivots, are you worried about those 2 pins you show in the side view or how to make the wheel platform pivot so you can actually go around a corner?