Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack
by Racor
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List Price: Our Price: $127.00 You Save: $83.00 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $118.00 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack
Customer Review: The answer to my storage needs!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this product specifically for the storage of my ARB roof top tent. This tent weighs about (I'm guessing here) 200 lbs. My wife and I can not lift this tent to the top of my landcruiser by ourselves, and can not remove it from there for winter storage. I had been wondering for some time how to easily remove this heavy item, and where to store it.
When I saw this lift for sale on Amazon I thought my prayers had been answered! This lift easily holds the weight of my tent, and makes setting it up on the roof of my landcruiser easy as pie. I no longer have to drive around with my roof top tent on my car sucking down my gas milage.
Installation- others have recommended 4 hours for install. Yeah right. 2 hours, tops- if you're watching TV while you do it. Mine was functional in an hour. Instructions were not very complete, but you get the general idea about what they are talking about- and installation was not difficult. My garage ceiling is not painted, so finding the joists was as easy as finding the screws holding the drywall up. From there mounting each arm of the system took about 15-20 minutes, and mounting the axle took about 5-7. I used a 1/8" drill to pre-drill the lag bolt mounting holes and then an impact driver to drive the lag bolts in. I did not experience any lag bolt failure, even when using the impact driver.
Installation is rock solid, the thing did not even creek when cranking up my 200 lb load, and has freed up a bunch of garage floor space. Thanks for this great product!
Customer Review: I Like It!
Summary: 4 Stars
I just purchased two units for my garage. Installed both this past weekend. Using for miscellaneous items we don't use very often. I read many of the reviews which helped tremendously with the installation. The first took about 5 hours - 2 of which were locating studs and eating lunch. The second took just under three hours. I was able to do it by myself thanks to the previous posts.
A few things to consider. I used a very small drill bit to locate the studs (joists). There is a clear difference in a bit going through drywall and then into wood. I then measured 48" and did it again. I have a few extra holes that I had to patch but they are very small and made it easy to locate the edges of the studs.
Before I pre-drilled holes for the bolts I put the support together and then laid it on the top of the box it came in. I then traced it out, marked the holes and cut it out with a box cutter. This gave me a template for marking my holes and pre-drilling.
Remember to remove the cable wheels before installing the support. It is hard to drill the holes and secure the bolt with those in place but can be done with a socket wrench.
Also remember to decide which end you want the crank. It only fits one of the supports so you need to decide before putting them up.
The directions weren't much help but the previous reviews helped alot. The set up is pretty self explanatory but the installation requires some mental exercise before starting.
Customer Review: Very good design...but!
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, Amazon was top notch in this transaction. Item was signed, sealed, delivered perfect. Second, thanks to all your reviews. Learned a lot, and willing to add to that.
Finally, just the materials and hardware alone make this a quality product.
So just to add, I have a few install tips. I was lucky to have 16" on center joists, quality stud finder, a little giant ladder, 48" level/straight edge, carpenter square, and all needed power/hand tools.
I just laid out a big capital "I" on the finished ceiling using the above, then attached the center T sections to the marks on the ceiling. Making sure of course I was in the middle of the joists.
Then I took one extension piece out of the box, removed the pulley, and attached it to one of the center sections with supplied bolts, and pressed it to the ceiling.
There was my already drawn line in the middle of the slotted holes. I used a sharpie, and marked each hole right in the middle.
I did this for the 3 remaining areas. The last one, I just left the extension arm up there and all holes were ready for pilot drilling. I used a step up size drill bit. (same size as the shank on the lag bolt) No issues. All went in smooth.
So there, all the rest is a cake walk. Easy. But still took 4+ hours. (from staring at instructions <??> to the finish line)
The platform J hooks are the only reason I'm leaving a star off. There's got to be a better way, Racor! But would highly recommend, and will buy again.
Customer Review: got the job done with modifications
Summary: 3 Stars
Bought lift to store overhead a motorcycle cargo trailer, approx weight 170lbs. Initial install was pretty straight forward, except ceiling being 9.5 feet high, cables too short, so bought new cables. Now AOK, I thought.
Two sides of the heavy wire "platform" has rectangular tubing for rigiditity, two sides do not, so it sagged a lot. Bought 1/2" ID plumbing pipe 4' long and used U-bolts to attach to other two sides of "platform". Now AOK, I thought. Lifted trailer part way up to ceiling, look up and noticed the "T" brackets which hold the crank shaft have twisted 45 degrees. As lowering lift back to floor, gear box has significant click and the lift platform "drops" about 1/8" with each turn when the click occurs. Call Racor, they send new gear box and "T" bracket (very quick service by Racor by the way, well pleased with their response.)
Now, I get in attic and add additional bracing between ceiling joist in area of where the "T" bracket is located. Drilled additional holes in "T" bracket for more lag bolts to be screwed into the added bracing in the attic. NOW AOK...with some re-engineering it does what I wanted to accomplish. As stated in other post, it is a slow lifting process, so not something you would want to use frequently. For my money, even with the re-work, it is worth what I paid.
A friend bought one also at the same time for his trailer, we know exactly what to do now at the beginning of the install to make it work the first time.
Customer Review: Great idea, cheap hardware!
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased 2 of these units to install in my garage that has a finished ceiling. I installed both by myself and finished the job in about 6 hours. The product concept is great, unfortunately the hardware supplied by the company is junk and the construction could be better. If you decide to buy one of these, make sure you replace the lag bolts that hold the unit to your ceiling. The supplied ones are made of an inferior metal and are to short if your ceiling is finished. The bolts are about 2 inches long and they have to go through the sheetrock and furring strips before they hit a joist. That leaves you with a little over a half inch of bolt going into the joist. If your ceiling is finished, replace the bolts with heavy duty 3+ inch bolts. All of the hardware is metric so be prepared for that. The racks are held to the support beam with threaded J hooks. With such a great idea for the product, I would think that someone could have come up with a better way to secure the racks to the lift than that. My garage ceilings are 12 feet high so I have to lower the lift all the way down to place anything on it. Coming down isn't a problem but going up with 210 pounds of ac units is tough. My wife can't crank the handle when it's loaded. I'm going to modify the handle so that I can use a drill to take it up. With that said, I am thinking about buying a third unit for the garage. It's a great way to store seasonal items out of your way.