DIY Telescoping Lift for RTT on Trailer

[Mark2457]

This was my setup with linear actuators, 16" of travel, worked out very well for several years. I used threaded tube adapters in the tops of the telescopic posts after a welded nut setup failed (mostly due to a poor weld on my part). Trailer went all over in this configuration, Death Valley, Mojave Road....miles and miles of washboard road with zero issues. I had lock out pins to when it was it was down and up but frankly didn't need to use them. Build thread in my sig.

This is a pic when I was testing out the wiring

Final product

Thanks

Looks awesome and my ideal goal

Do you have a build thread somewhere with details?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[john61ct]

Looks great, but not something that I can buy?

Not afaik, just a design concept.

Seems a lot simpler, cheaper more flexible and more robust than the gas strut approach.

My need is for between 200 and 800# of load at any given time will vary greatly.

 

[dstock]

Thanks

Looks awesome and my ideal goal

Do you have a build thread somewhere with details?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! Build thread in my signature below

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[joshuag23]

Thanks! Build thread in my signature below

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

The link in your sig didn't work for me. Looks like it's the exclamation point in the URL.

Dstock's M101A1 build... or the reality, I needed a new project!

And so it begins..... After a couple years of looking at a variety of possibilities for a trailer to tow behind my JKUR, from buying something new, or used, or starting from scratch, I decided to buy something with the basics to build around. A search on Craigslist found an M101A1 just 7 miles...

expeditionportal.com

 

[dstock]

The link in your sig didn't work for me. Looks like it's the exclamation point in the URL.

Dstock's M101A1 build... or the reality, I needed a new project!

And so it begins..... After a couple years of looking at a variety of possibilities for a trailer to tow behind my JKUR, from buying something new, or used, or starting from scratch, I decided to buy something with the basics to build around. A search on Craigslist found an M101A1 just 7 miles...

expeditionportal.com

Thanks for the heads up!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[dstock]

Thanks for the heads up!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Build link in my sig has been fixed!

 

[Hoghead]

Mine is very similar to dstock’s. I just don’t have any good pictures of it (and no build thread) However, I didn’t go thru the trouble of putting heim joints on the rack. Great idea, but not one that I had at the time. But mine still works, no binding. I say that to let you know not to over think it. it is very doable. When you get your steel, tell your supplier you want the tubing to nest one inside the other. I would also say, I like the large tube on top to prevent water intrusion. I did not do that and wished I had. Buy some steel and get to welding! Or hire a fabricator, no shame in that. Just more expensive.

 

[dstock]

Mine is very similar to dstock’s. I just don’t have any good pictures of it (and no build thread) However, I didn’t go thru the trouble of putting heim joints on the rack. Great idea, but not one that I had at the time. But mine still works, no binding. I say that to let you know not to over think it. it is very doable. When you get your steel, tell your supplier you want the tubing to nest one inside the other. I would also say, I like the large tube on top to prevent water intrusion. I did not do that and wished I had. Buy some steel and get to welding! Or hire a fabricator, no shame in that. Just more expensive.

Hoghead raises a couple good points. The steel you want for nesting tubing into one another is called Telescopic Tubing. If you do go with large tube outside with lift tube inside like mine, drill a small hole from underneath the trailer directly under the large tube so that any water intrusion has a place to drain. Have fun!

 

[Ryannnz]

We used 2.5” sleeved over 2” tubing with linear actuators. Larger tube sleeves over on top to prevent water intrusion.

 

[Eugene the Jeep]

Here’s my version. If I were to do it again I would make a few modifications. Feel free to ask questions. Can videos be uploaded on here?

 

[john61ct]

upload to YT then link to it from wherever

 

[Mark2457]

We used 2.5” sleeved over 2” tubing with linear actuators. Larger tube sleeves over on top to prevent water intrusion.

Do you have a detailed build thread anywhere? Would love to see precise details of actuators and controller

 

[kmacafee]

Something like this? https://alcobrametals.com/telescopic-tubing/aluminum-telescoping-rectangular-tubing/

 

[Eugene the Jeep]

Here's a sped up video of setup:

https://youtu.be/02Bx9hcfbIQ

I think it's just a over 3 min in real time.

Something like this? https://alcobrametals.com/telescopic-tubing/aluminum-telescoping-rectangular-tubing/

I'd be hesitant to use aluminum for the telescoping portion because of its softness. But I'd definitely use aluminum for the top tent platform, which I didn't do.

 

[kmacafee]

Here's a sped up video of setup:

https://youtu.be/02Bx9hcfbIQ

I think it's just a over 3 min in real time.


I'd be hesitant to use aluminum for the telescoping portion because of its softness. But I'd definitely use aluminum for the top tent platform, which I didn't do.

Good thing they don't use aluminum to build airplanes, ships, trucks, rockets then.