Just wondering if this can be done......

cargodreaming · Dec 9, 2005

I just bought a sprinter 3500 with a cube. My question is there a way to have hydraulic lifts installed to raise the van to dock level. What I had in mind is the same concept of a RV's leveling system that would raise the van just the few inches it needs to be level with the dock under any ground level. Is this to far fetched? The sytem would need to be light so not to impact load weight and strong of course to handle a loaded van. Any ideas?

LDB · Dec 9, 2005

I've got a set of power dolly legs on my truck that have a 35k capacity so they'll lift the truck off the ground. Not sure if the lift span would work for a Sprinter though but some web research might find you an answer. Good luck.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

davekc · Dec 10, 2005

They have box lifts like you see on airport consession vehicles, but they are too heavy for a freight application.
Most small box trucks (12,000lbs or less) that are not dock high, carry a set of ramps. This will provide roughly 6 to 12 inches. If you need more than that, I wouldn't recommend doing it. Too great of a angle to unload.

Davekc

vipra · Dec 10, 2005

That's a great idea, but... you said you only need to raise your Sprinter "a few inches" to get it to dock level. The floor of my Sprinter is a little over a foot off the ground, and docks are over 4 feet off the ground. From what I can see you'll either need to raise the whole Sprinter three feet or raise the back end to a 60-degree angle, both of which seem very impractible.
Also, I don't get why you want to do this in the first place. 99% of the places I go to have a ramp, so I just back up to the door and a forklift loads me at ground level. It's rare that I go to a place that can't do that.

Vipra

cargodreaming · Dec 10, 2005

Well the reason I want to be dock level is for a number of reasons. One I will be hauling to a few places that do not allow vans. If I can atleast get dock level I could deliver there. I will pull pallets off myself so there is no reason for a lift to enter box even if it could. Another is the ease of being able to use a dock verses multiple trips with a liftgate. The ramp idea mentioned above has crossed my mind. so I might try that first. This is my first cube van and sorta have a bunch of things in my head I want to try out. Some are practical others probably are not. If I can achieve this goal I will post more about it later on. I have driven a Ford E150 for years and needed a change not to mention the opportunity to make more money.

terryandrene · Dec 10, 2005

Is your cube Sprinter a 6 wheeler?

cargodreaming · Dec 10, 2005

>Is your cube Sprinter a 6 wheeler?

Yes it is.

cargodreaming · Dec 12, 2005

Well the ramps worked. I am maybe a half of an inch higher than the dock but this is usally worked out once the dock plate is extended. The truck sits sturdy and does not budge even while moving pallets in the cargo area. This will do until I find away to have automatic lifts. :7

davekc · Dec 12, 2005

I thought that might work. Many at the airports with box trucks use that setup.

Davekc

kwexpress · Dec 17, 2005

KW Express
o/o till i die

i think you should also cut the roof off and rig up away to raise it up and down to.this would get them taller stacked skids.

and also the sides to so they will fold out then you can do some oversize.

and of course you could do produce with the vented van also.

then your carrier could just give you 3 sprinter loads at a time.

your options with the vans are just endless.

Keep dreaming its the only thing that makes it worth it in any kind of van

kwexpress · Dec 17, 2005

KW Express
o/o till i die

Now that kinda van would be a vansformers. like the transformers them toys you buy for your kids.

I think I will just start with a straight truck do away with the dock high problem add about 2 or 3 tag axels hell maybe 4 and I need away to make them tag axel centers some sort of jet turbo fan so when I fold in my axels they have enough lift power to just fly the freight from dock to dock across town or world cause i want it to be a hovercraft also.

the hovercraft would have to run on eletricity that would be generated from the movement of water. this is the most important feature i need
this way I could charge a fuel surcherge for the jet fuel and diesel I burn and when it run out of jet fuel over the ocean i could turn on my electric hydro prop system and hover over the water and continue my delivery on time without any cargo claims or dead driver/pilot/boat captain.

Now I dont want any electric fan idea for the jet cause I want to be able to charge a fuel surchage.

redytrk · Dec 17, 2005

Why not just have Scotty beam you over?

OntarioVanMan · Dec 17, 2005

now whoa! the 3500 is only 40 in. between the wells..did you raise the floor or have the wells modified?

cargodreaming · Dec 17, 2005

The floor is raised. There is a 2 inch I-beam between the box and the frame. Here is a picture of it http://tinyurl.com/au9zq. .I started driving it this week and it does great.Heck it just feels good not to have to bend over everytime I need to get something off my truck. As I mentioned above the ramps are working out ok , but as I found out the other day in the cold rain its kinda hard to get a good grip when they are wet not to mention getting soaked while trying to set them up. I have found two companys that are looking into how they might beable to help me with my idea of having a lift to reach dock level. I will keep things posted on this progress and will have info on it so if others want to try it.

davekc · Dec 17, 2005

The guy I seen recently with ramps ran screws into the top about every two inches. I think he had three or four rows. Only the head of the screw stuck out. These would provide additional traction when it was wet and he had a fair amount of weight on.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII