TheSamba.com :: View topic - Car Tilters--do they work?

Wed Dec 25, 2002 2:38 pm

http://www.accessiblesystems.com/

I'm just in love with the idea of being able to flip a VW bus on its side and work on the bottom standing comfortably instead of flat on my back with crap falling on my face. Anyone have any experience with this "easy tilter" or similar products? Would a bus fit on this thing? What's the problems (other than royally pissing off my neighbors when I flip a bus in the driveway)?

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Thu Dec 26, 2002 10:52 pm

I built one & I wouldn't be without it. If you go to www.dropgates.com under restoration tips you'll see 2 types: the one you refer to & another. I used the latter as a guide & built one. Build or buy it's a large investment & you have to be serious! Don't even consider one without wheels/castors because they take up a lot of room & you need to push it away if you want to use your garage for something else. Apart from the obvious advantages of no crap or welding slag falling on your face, you can do a lot with the the floor vertical eg removing the steering box with the column still attached- ordinarily, the bus would need to be 6 feet in the air! With the castors, it's feasible to pull the unit onto a truck to go for sandblasting which should be cheaper for you because the contractor will have unbelievable access. But, it's not a novelty item. I've got an SC pickup on it now & there's a bus & a part-camper waiting in the wings.

Fri Dec 27, 2002 9:47 am

I figure it should almost pay for itself on one bus since the blasting and welding should go so much faster, and I like the one I linked to since it comes apart for storage. If it costs $800 new, you should be able to sell it used for at least $400. There would always be a line of friends wanting to borrow it too.

I guess I'm concerned about the design of the thing. It lifts the bus by the wheels and holds it there which doesn't seem like something Wolfsburg ever thought about when they designed the suspension. Good point about castors-- being able to roll it around is a must. Thanks

Fri Dec 27, 2002 10:35 pm

My biggest concern is safety. Safety should always be top of the list. As long as you've done everything to keep your body out of harms way I say go for it. Rolling a bus on it's side although odd sure makes working on the undercarriage safer. Not just falling debris but just getting tools into hard to reach places.

My second concern with them is the fluids left in the vehicle. Obviously the brake system will be drained as will all others before the vehicle is flipped but you never seem to get it ALL. A little brake fluid can do alot of damage.

All things being said I too am looking at making one. When I'm done with it I know of several people who will rent/borrow it off me or even buy it.

Best of luck

Sat Dec 28, 2002 6:16 pm

If you guys e-mail me, I have photos on file I can send back showing how I attached it & how it lifts.

Sun Nov 30, 2003 2:20 pm

Has anyone built one for a Ghia? I'd love to build one.

Sun Nov 30, 2003 3:19 pm

Does anyone have any experience with this model? Seems like a good price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43997&item=2445833762

Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:54 am

Have a look at:

http://www.partsobsolete.com/

They built their own. When I was at their shop with a bunch of 914 guys on a tour, I noticed a bunch of cars set up to tilt. Looks pretty simple. Not quite as versatile, or space saving as a rotissiery, but easier to make.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

Thu Dec 04, 2003 1:16 pm

This is what I've been using for a ghia Homemade and works good 8 locking positions

Sat Dec 06, 2003 3:22 pm

I have a tilter that bolts up to the drums of the vehicle. You drive the vehicle up next to it. Take off one time and bolt it up, then do that to the other drum. An electric drill powers the gear mechanism and the whole vehicle will tilt 90 degrees. There is a safety so you wont roll it over on its roof. Tilter will work on full size Chevy Vans, 4 x 4 trucks or VWs. Only need to put an adapter on for different bolt pattern. Also need to tilt on a smooth surface and have enough room on the side to actually be able to tilt the vehicle without hitting the wall. Works great. Made in Germany and goes under the name Liqui-Tilt. Originally saw it in Hemmings and later saw an actual demo at Englishtown Swap and Hershey. Chuck P :D

Wed Dec 24, 2003 6:08 pm

There's an awesom bodyshop on the south side of OKC called Affordable Customs. The owner only does metal work, no paint. That way he can move cars through and keep expenses down. When I visited him 2 years ago he had an awesome body roller, as he called it, with a 1959 Impala on it. Parts of it had an arc and then had a flat spot for resting. Best way to attack the problem of replacing or repairing the undercarriage. His was made to adapt for any make or model of vehicle.

Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:34 pm

Well this must be the oldest thread ever reopened, but it's about exactly what I want:
Liquui Kantelbrug kipper.
They were sold by Eastwood for a while.Here are 2 pictures. The seem cheesy, but I think it will work well. About 1/4 of a circle large steel circular segments that you bolt to your hub, hook them together, and lift up the other side. Easy Peasy.

Im convinced I want one of these. If anyone knows of one for sale.
Al

Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:07 pm

In one topic on here someone has a round one. You could literally roll the vehicle down the road in it. It looks convenient.

Thu Jul 20, 2017 1:47 am

Glideking did make one on rollers so to roll in place. I wish I had to option to use on with the axles/ suspension in place or removed. Removed would keep me from using the tipper one, then. But is just so simple and low tech, and not much time invested to get the car on its side.
Al

Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:33 am

Some buy 2 engine stands and mount them to their bumper mounts. Ends up looking similar to this Bottoms Up Lift.
https://www.accessiblesystems.com/

Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:40 pm

Tilters look more dangerous than changing a tire on the freeway with a bumper jack.

I would hope the prospective user would want to know the recommended method of use more than be caught up in their novelty.

Fri Jul 21, 2017 6:51 pm

theKbStockpiler wrote: Tilters look more dangerous than changing a tire on the freeway with a bumper jack.

I would hope the prospective user would want to know the recommended method of use more than be caught up in their novelty.
Please back up this theory with a little solid logic. are these less strong than 3 or 4 cheesy jack stands from China that most all of us would trust? (tho closer to the ground!)
Al

Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:42 pm

Quote: Please back up this theory with a little solid logic.

Being along side/under 1.5 tons or more of a vehicle that is balanced on it's side.

How do you decide how far to tilt it before it flips over?
How does the center of gravity effect going to far?
What acts as backup if the 'tilter' breaks?

Sat Jul 22, 2017 1:01 am

I don't think it would be possible to over- roll it. You did not study it closely. There is a 3 foot straight section on the end of the curved arcs. They are not arcs, rather arcs with straight ends on them. You might call the straight part a FOOT. Roll it over till it is against the FOOT.
You would have to use a fork lift to push it over in the direction of the roll. As far as coming back under-rolling, in the shown pictures they are using two jack stands. The vehicle would have to be raised up above the jack stands to roll back. Like a wheel chock in each direction. It's not teetering, it is BRACED. These are sold in Europe where they have much more government regulation to keep you from hurting yourself. TUV might be the regulation body. Same as does yearly vehicle inspections.
True, one needs to remove the gas tank, battery, engine or oil. cover the vents on the transmission and brake cylinder. But you have to do this with any rollover device
MY feeling about the negatives are only these: the vehicle moves over 5-6 feet while rolling. So you need 2 bays to do it properly. AND one CANNOT remove the suspension units if that's what's supporting the chassis.
The upside of a tipper:
All things being equal, that is, the engine and battery out, fuel tank drained: With a tipper you can have it rolled over in half an hour. With a rotisserie, you have to take off suspension units or bumpers at least and it takes MANY more hours to do this. Before and after rotating.
With the tipper, It's not balanced. It's BRACED.
Al

Sat Jul 22, 2017 8:37 am

I looked as some additional images but I still think this method is best suited for the Red Army. :lol:

The force on the jackstand is going to be partially rotational no matter how perfect it is designed.You need a engine lift or a Genni Lift along with the Tilter. If is ill advised to wrench on the car while using a Tilter. If the jackstand or the car slightly re-position themselves at all,the jackstand will not hold. I see the same dangers as the extension ladder has without being tied off or having a spotter.

For safety factors and features a Rotisserie is worth the slight extra effort.