Gas Struts

[rickst29]

Originally Posted by mickmanor

with due respect to all prior ideas, I will offer another option:

ECLV 30'' Electric Wireless Remote Control Dining Table Coffee Table Lift,Black,110V-240V,Working Platform Computer Desk Electronic Scissor Lift

It's a lift designed for light duty work that should handle the TM shells.
Available from amazon for $279. It has "actuator" power.

120/240V needs plug-ins or an inverter, and I'm not sure about only "55w" lifting 200 pounds. A bigger issue might be the lack of wheels, because the TM shells are being rotated (to the front, and to the rear) while being lifted. We need any "pure vertical" lift to also roll - in my case, towards the front (where the tow vehicle had been). The maximum height of your ECLV doesn't go all the way up, either.

Inspired by your idea, I looked at a couple of "330 lb capacity" hydraulic lifter tables, but they're really too heavy (150 lbs) to wrestle in and out of a truck bed. A lighter and less costly on-the-ground option would be a double scissors motorcycle lift, such as this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKY3J3Y. Only $160, and just 60 lbs dead weight. But the wheels are too small to actually roll while loaded, except on a concrete slab. The working height is also a bit limited, ranging from 13-1/2 inches (min height) to 36 inches (max height).

The TM shell lift points are 20-24 inches from the ground. In my 2619, the front corners are in free air (that's compatible with placing a motorcycle lift underneath), only 20-21" off the ground. That's because the front of the shell remains down on the frame when I release of the lift bar hooks on the sides. (They don't rise at all, because the torsion bars are too weak.) If I were to use this motorcycle lift, I add about 6 of the plastic square "jack stand helper" before starting the lift, ending at 43" total height. Others would be in a similar situation, with light more or fewer of the 1" jack pad helpers.

That would be enough height AND enough lifting power, at less cost than even the first set of my gas struts - but it's yet another thing to buy and wrestle in/out from the SUV or truck. I'm usually parked on dirt, so the tiny wheels will be unwilling to "roll" as the shell slides forwards. (They'll just dig into the dirt, in the original location, causing "tilt" and non-vertical stress on the lift). If a TM owner needed help for the rear shell, I'm also not sure how to get "underneath" that shell - the back bottom edge of mine, including both corners, rests on the storage bumper.

OTOH, there wold be no need for a complicated installation, and the results are certainty. My gas struts cost more, and they will assist only the shell on which they are installed. If you have issues with both shells, the motorcycle lift could possibly be re-used at the rear shell, after you have already opened the front.