RVHaulers Phoenix Hydraulic Smart Car Loader Bed Demo and Tour

We tour Rick's NEW 2015 Volvo Model 730. It has been outfitted with our PHOENIX hydraulic smart car loader. Rather than loading with a winch and ramps, this loader offers an alternative way of carrying your Smart For Two car, ATV or motorcycle. It certainly makes a manly-man statement in the campground when you arrive! For more information see www.rvhaulers.ca

[@1armedguy4]

Greg you and your crew did a fine job on that truck bed, looks too me it's a perfect colour match, but that truck is just gorgeous , what a awesome colour choice, be proud you do fine work !!

[@Scorpiomary]

nice video Greg. truck is really gorgeous. Congratulations Rick on A Great looking rig

[@rvhaulers]

+Mary Cox Thank you Mary for your kind words, and for taking the time to comment!

[@mkrywanio]

Great Truck Gregg and Great Shirt too...brings out something special in you

[@rvhaulers]

***** My wife says that shift brings out a bit too much chest hair...

[@Sig721Tau]

@@rvhaulers How much for this setup?

[@waterslouis5331]

What a beautiful rig Greg. I must admit I had a hard time concentrating on the truck between your new shirt and that wonderful view in the distance. Once again you and your team have hit it out of the park. I did notice he had the same TPMS that I have in my truck. It really gives you peace of mind to know everything is ok back there. Lou

[@purplelove2863]

Absolutely Beautiful!! I’d love to own one of these someday!!

[@tonybillstrom7069]

Much Great Video and Truck!

[@kenhelmers2603]

Very cool! Thanks fir sharing!

[@Rwalt61]

Sweet looking truck.

[@mister8ch]

Nice truck, Rick!

[@pauldietrich8994]

Nice ride!!

[@jonpaton4449]

Excellent engineering

[@mikehouse9568]

thanks for the great VLOG!!

[@rvhaulers]

Thanks for watching Mike, and for taking the time to post a comment!

[@skylerlance7645]

I've got my house on the market and am prepping to become a full timer. All I can say is WOW. I've spent a lot of time researching all aspects but you are in a league all your own... My hat is off to you...

[@rvhaulers]

+Skyler Lance Wow Skyler. Wow. Thanks so much for the compliment and kinds words.

[@alphafort]

massively cool !!!

[@mwpeck4642]

awesome rv hauler

[@Replicant2600]

Smart car finally makes sense.

[@Redhoss22]

I think its perfect the way it is. I think i want one for myself

[@dvms6746]

Gregg, awesome builds. Can this work without singling?

[@VanisleNSX]

Nice rig Gregg!

[@rvhaulers]

Thanks for the comment Vanisle! Thanks for watching.

[@anapierre1719]

VERY VERY VERY INFORMATIVE THANKS GREAT VIDEO

[@rvhaulers]

Hello! I am glad you found the video interesting and informative. Thanks for watching, and I appreciate you taking a moment to share your comment! I really like knowing when someone is watching, and if I made a video that folks find helpful. Gregg

[@erxkeel]

HOLY CRAP. I bet he has a shiny nickle invested in that setup!

[@caredneck1]

Beautiful work work as always. Great craftsmanship and wonderful innovations. The shirt is a little loud though. lol.

[@rvhaulers]

+caredneck1 I hope the shirt didn't distract too much! A great customer and friend sent it to me, and I am delighted to be able to show off a bit of colorful style.

[@alxmetro]

Great truck! Respect 2 000 000 times

[@tonyhamilton1981]

This is the first time I wore sunglasses watching one of your clips, LOL

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

Indeed. Beautiful gloss on that rig! And yeah, the great shirt brightened things up too. Cheers from a rather dark Seattle!

[@LarryTheButcher]

That is cool! I'd love to see, money no object a platform that goes about the For Two to stash my motorcycle!

[@RC-ld3cn]

A Smart Car would defeat the manly-man statement you would normal make with this setup.

[@hard2getitrightagain314]

Rig one for a pair of 750 Shadows Aero cruisers and let me know when it ships!

[@lifeandtimesofunclebob9591]

Beautiful rig. We two have Harley’s and a Jeep. Will be looking to get something similar in a couple years. Right now we have a Fullhouse Toyhauler. I like the bed because its universal.

[@franciscovega3567]

Nice truck Greg, can you travel to Mexico with this kind of equipment semi truck and RV?

[@wtfimdoinghere]

wow Rick !!!

[@pleyenterprise]

I would like to see a quick lock mechanism from the plate to the car.

[@staceystory7175]

I'm going to buy a small I love this

[@Rob_Moilanen]

Nicely done piece, couple of questions, when you single these up, do you also do super-singles on them (is super-singles an option), or leave them as dual sets? And is that box below the hydraulic box deep enough for a spare tire for the truck (do you even have provisions for a spare)? Yeah, I know, most folks with these wouldn't even consider changing a tire on their own, they'd just call a service truck to do it for them. Myself, I can manage to change a tire on my own (yes people, you can change one of those big tires) so it'd be nice to have the capability to do so, if I should need to, and save myself the cost of a very expensive service call out . You could modify that bottom box (or use the other side of the bed, which would probably be safer since it wont be roadside) to have a open bottom wheel well, and install a chain crank lift in the top, to lift the tire up under the truck for storage. Or if folks wanna be really snazzy, put an air or hydraulically operated shelf up under it to raise and lower the tire for storage. With a shelf system instead of a wheel well, you can use lip seals to keep most of the road grime out and keep the spare (and the compartment) from being all nasty. Beyond that, keeping the spare down low, would save people the possibility of injury from trying to lift those tires up onto the bed of the truck, and not have to mount a tire crane on the bed and lose part or their headache box storage. You could also add in a secondary compressor system with one of those small 110v job site compressors for air needs, not have to tie into the trucks air system, and be compact enough to fit in one of the boxes. Heh, there ya go Greg, a couple more options to sell to your customers, betcha Rick would a loved those as options for this piece :-)

[@rvhaulers]

+Syd Syko Super singles can be purchased with a new truck - yes. There is really no place for a spare, unless we take away the drom box storage. You are right - very few folks would want to tackle a change themselves.

[@TheBasher-_-]

I saw one of these on the road.

[@janetwoodgeard-tolman9625]

I love this. but I visualize something like a bar going across behind each axel that would pop up from the floor to secure the tires from rolling. much less labor intensive than having to remove those from behind the rear tires each time. just a thought.

[@rvhaulers]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, and for your interesting idea!

[@TairnKA]

I agree, there's too many steps to deal with the rear tires.

[@nonnomen4947]

I noticed that the wheel chocks have to be removed manually. I think it might be possible to put them on rails to pull them sideways out of the way either one by one or, with the help of a mechanism, both together. Two racks with a cogwheel in the middle will do. The contact that switches the light on an off in the RC box should get, imho, some plastic disc on the door side to avoid direct contact of the piston with the paint.

[@rvhaulers]

Hello no-name! Thanks for watching our videos, and for taking the time to share your ideas. Keep the ideas coming.

[@HDTRVER]

I been wearing Hawaiian shirts for years and I love them ........ how much would you take for yours, love the colors in it ........ but wait, it was a gift ....... ok, it's not for sale :) , understandable

[@wyldbladze]

That is one nice looking truck. Is the power for the hydraulics for the car lift always on, or is there a switch controlled relay in the cab that turns that power on? Only asking because locks are only for keeping honest people honest. The relay could prevent someone from popping the locks and unloading your car/motorcycle. A suggestion for the storage door on the passenger side of the bed. It could be one door if it opened vertical with pneumatic shocks to help with raising it and holding it open.

[@rvhaulers]

+wyldbladze Power is activated elsewhere, and in a hidden/secure manner. It is behind lock and key. Thanks for your ideas.

[@davegretzinger5330]

Are you in Canada? I am and need help getting started on converting a straight truck into a hdt.

[@BenDOver-le9tb]

Nice shirt

[@noname-oq2of]

I think i need one

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

An excellent piece of engineering.I'm curious. Did you add skid wheels to the lift when you added the lip ramp? Or would skid wheels interfere with how it sits on the bed? What about sliding rear wheel chocks? Or ones with a pin to lock them in place to avoid having to bolt them down. Obviously this video is over three years on and is demonstrating your first version of the vehicle lift. Perhaps there is another video showing modifications? Not that any are needed. It's a brilliant piece of kit as is. An excellent piece of engineering.I'm curious. Did you add skid wheels to the lift when you added the lip ramp? Or would skid wheels interfere with how it sits on the bed? What about sliding rear wheel chocks? Or ones with a pin to lock them in place to avoid having to bolt them down. Obviously this video is over three years on and is demonstrating your first version of the vehicle lift. Perhaps there is another video showing modifications? Not that any are needed. It's a brilliant piece of kit as is. But, ya know. Us lazy Americans, are always looking for the easiest way to do things. The automation built into RVs over just the last ten years is amazing. Everything is done with a remote now a days. Which for disabled folk like me is a godsend. I couldn't get down to hand crank the stabilizer anymore. I can still go switch the lights off, but why get off my, soon to be big, azz when there is a remote in my hand. Hahaha. Heck I don't even need to feel the water in the shower to know if it's warm enough to step in. It's all done for me. Right down to the exact temp. How lazy is that!! Who was the one to say "I just can't go another day sticking my poor finger in the shower to see if the water is warm enough.". That's the one individual I need to personally thank. I've been save from a dreadful lukewarm finger discomfort at least a thousand times. Sure children are starving in our street, but my fingers have been saved on countless occasions. Ok so I didn't install this. It came with the unit. Now if you could find a way to get my 68 Continental over the cab while the 45" 5th wheel is still hitch.... Hahaha Happy New Year! May 2019 bring even more satisfied customers knocking your door down for their own HDT. Along with all the other usual stuff....health, happiness, spontaneous topside hair regrowth (my biggest wish for the new year), new and exciting challenges, etc..etc.... Cheers from Seattle Now if you could find a way to get my 68 Continental over the cab while the 45" 5th wheel is still hitch.... Hahaha Happy New Year! May 2019 bring even more satisfied customers knocking your door down for their own HDT. Along with all the other usual stuff....health, happiness, spontaneous topside hair regrowth (my biggest wish for the new year), new and exciting challenges, etc..etc.... Cheers from Seattle

[@rvhaulers]

Hi Cameron in Seattle! Thanks for taking the time to post your questions. Yes, we made some tweaks to the bed since this version. One of the main improvements was we were able to incorporate a huge roller (instead of wheels) into the leading edge of the deck surface, and to make it go even lower to the ground (and make it more level as well). Improvements to the chocks have been made as well to make them faster to attach. On a sad note, I have had no success in activating topside hair growth. That continues to be a challenge.

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

@@rvhaulers Excellent work boss man. I was really hoping to hear you'd found a cure for baldness while tooling away in the the shop. But it's ok. You wear it well. I, on the other hand, have a funny shaped head. My hair is now sprinting towards the back finish line. When it's done my scalp ain't gonna be pretty. Happy New year. Happy Boxing Day. Cheers from Seattle Cameron

[@sm6wet]

Nice, one can probably get a Mini Cooper JCW on there too.

[@norrisdemeray3325]

Can you fit a Chevy Bolt or Volt? From what I have researched similar dimensions .

[@riazfarid8213]

ماشاء الله GOOD VERY NICE 👍🌷👍🌷👍🌷

[@johnfranklin4038]

rear chokes should have one bolt on inside that you remove then it swivels on outside bolt to make it much easier and faster to remove the car then they will provide guidance to when you drive it back onto the deck so it's centered correctly (looks like it's a bit to the left when you drove it back onto the deck) and have integrated ramps on the wheel chokes so when you swivel it 90 degrees the ramps are set ready to drive off/on and won't be an extra piece that you might accidently drive off and leave :)

[@rvhaulers]

Hello John. Thanks for the neat idea. It is great having creative folks watching, and helping us to make our builds better. Keep the ideas coming!

[@galenlong8022]

Awesome truck gregg. when doing the Phoenix lift how deep of a Drombox can you go? can you go 36 or 42 inches. love your videos, really hoping we get to do some business.

[@rvhaulers]

We can create as deep a drom box as you wish. We are very practiced at extending the frames to accommodate any bed length you wish. I am sure you know that the more length we add to the bed, the longer the overall rig becomes.

[@galenlong8022]

Thank you gregg.

[@DieselTrucker-oi7jv]

KW W9 is the ONLY truck I would buy!

[@fjkfta]

Love the setup. But i think the rear chocks are overkill. You could use the baskets and some what we call putchy holes for the hook and idler hook. Would be much simpler design. I haul cars for a living and that is how your modern car is strapped to the trailer all stacked out. Just my opinion other than that yall have so top notch work.

[@rvhaulers]

+Frank Kelly Hello Frank. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@TheCobra423]

Make one for a 57 Chevy and I may consider it.

[@mando8925]

i would make rear chocks that lock upwards to support the rear tires from rolling back yet be bale to flip back and become the ramps for the lift

[@drivenhome7840]

How much battery power did that suck up?

[@tumbleweedking5668]

Is the bed 102" wide?

[@notoriousbigdog]

bro i seen one hauling a four door 1967 Chevy impala like the one from supernatural candy apple red color white top

[@vincebrandt8137]

This would be awesome for a bike, could you build a garage on that ?

[@rvhaulers]

We certainly could build a nice garage enclosure. Thanks for the question. Gregg

[@sferg9582]

So, what is that at the 12:30 mark? It looks like an exhaust pipe for the generator(s) pointing right down on the fuel tank???!!! Yikes!

[@briankumpan9892]

any supplier of household moving supply like for Atlas van lines or Mayflower, they carry those wheel tie downs, I know I have moved plenty of cars in my time

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

Yes and no. These are made to specifically fit this vehicle to ensure minimal movement and no rubbing on the brake lines. Universal baskets don't fit as snug and often require trimming. Those of us who are serious RVers have no reservations paying a little extra for added security and safety. Not that universal baskets/straps are not safe. A custom, snug fit is the safest option. Happy New year. Cheers from Seattle!

[@TXTigresa]

Worst part about planning to go with a toter is trying to determine costs. So far I've come across one figure for these lifts. Something like $43,000, not including installation? I'd rather go short with the singling and use the truck as my primary. Use Uber when necessary.

[@irishCanadianGuy68]

what's the largest car this could work with? could it work with a 2 door mini cooper?

[@rvhaulers]

Hello CJ. The Smart car is the only car that can be loaded width-wise. Certainly, most motorcyles can be loaded this way as well. If you load from the rear, we can load longer vehicles.

[@shanerussell8894]

mr wonderful shark tank you look just like him

[@rvhaulers]

+shane russell Wow, that is the first time someone has told me that! Thanks for watching.

[@coldsteel86]

A lot of moving parts, how long have you been installing this type.

[@rvhaulers]

Hello Frank. We have been building these for 4 years. Thanks for watching!

[@dennis8445]

I wasn't sure I wanted a smart car until now. I'll just have a ramp that pull's out from under the smart car. Kiss engineering works best for me.

[@GrumpasHauling]

Hi Gregg I work at ford motor co. in Louisville KY. is there any ford vehicle that will fit on a RVHauler

[@rvhaulers]

Hello Dan, The smart car is the only road-legal vehicle that can be loaded width wise. Everything else can be loaded lengthwise! We can build a bit longer to accommodate a Ford, or Jeep, or maybe a side by side vehicle length wise on the bed. Thanks for the question, Gregg

[@annhan999]

Can it only be used for a smart car? What about another small vehicle that more than 2 people can fit in...like a mini cooper or something similar...is there enough space for that?

[@rvhaulers]

Melissa thanks for your question. The only car that fits width-wise is the Smart car. The others (including the mini) are actually pretty long when you put a tape measure on them! They would stick out about a foot on each side. The alternative is to load other vehicles length-wise. Unfortunately that isn't possible with our Phoenix hydraulic bed. We load longer vehicles from the back of the bed, with ramps.

[@shadowmane20]

@@rvhaulers would the truck have to be longer to accommodate a Mini Cooper or Fiat 300 and still have clearance for the trailer?

[@ItsaboutMakingnotBuying]

At 17:16 if you made the door on the left open like the one on the right you would have a big opening. Wish I could afford one.

[@rvhaulers]

Thanks for the idea.

[@ronpatterson2955]

Hi Greg,what’s the towing capacity?

[@rvhaulers]

Hi Ron, The hitch installed in this particular RVHauler is setup for up to a 7,000 lb pin weight and a gross trailer weight of 30,000 lbs. If you wish, we can upgrade the capacity to 10,000 lbs of pin, and a gross trailer weight of 40,000 lbs. Is that enough for your purposes and plan? Thanks for watching, Gregg

[@RolandElliottFirstG]

Are those the Bose active ride seats in the cab ?

[@rvhaulers]

Wow, good eye! Yes they are the Bose seats.

[@DieselTrucker-oi7jv]

Wonder if they have built in sound? 8-)

[@chpnlzt]

WHAT NO HELICOPTER ???

[@_BAD_MERC_]

I want one that can handle a Lincoln Continental.

[@stephenchristian5739]

DAMN I WILL SAY HIS COMPANY WILL EXPLODE IF HE CAN COME UP WITH A FULL SYSTEM FOR TRUCK & DUELLY I HAVE ALWAYS ENVISIONED AN HYDRAULIC BED THAT SLIDES IN OUT TO LOAD MY RACE BIKE, BED IS WAY TO HIGH SO I USE A LOW TRAILER FOR EASIER LOADING .. I HAVE A FEELING HES CLOSE TO THIS IDEA IMAGINE ALL THE LOAD U COULD PICK UP WITH A TRUCK BED DESIGN

[@michaelford6210]

Do you build for handicap

[@rvhaulers]

Sure, we can do lifts, and a door through the back of the sleeper to gain access to the sleeper if folks aren't quite as nimble, agile, or able to gain access to the drivers and passenger positions.

[@BoomerTheRVBassett]

Greg watching Now after our Phone call

[@rvhaulers]

Call again when you have more great questions and ideas! Gregg

[@kbnguy]

Wait. What? Are people still RVing?

[@gabrielruvalcaba2310]

I drive a 72 caddy

[@JeffryGilbertBKK]

PT Barnum was right.

[@andrewm1058]

why have a sleeper if your pulling a rv?

[@rvhaulers]

Andrew M Thanks for your question. Many folks that have these RVHaulers are now able to purchase the largest of 5th wheel trailers. Many are over 44 feet long. When they travel, and setup their "home-base" in a new area to explore. They will often take the RVHauler on its own for some overnight trips around the area - often into places that couldn't accommodate their very long RVHauler + 5th wheel combination. The RVHauler is really like a mini-motorhome on its own as you pointed out. Another reason people like the RVHauler with a sleeper, is it allows us to title the RVHauler as a motorhome instead of it being a truck. It has the individual components such as the microwave, refrigerator, sleeping area, shore power etc, that makes it qualify as a motorhome itself. In most states and provinces, if the RVHauler is titled a truck you have more expensive insurance, have to maintain a commercial drivers licence, stop at scales, and maintain a drivers logbook. When we have a sleeper, it is titled a motorhome, and we greatly lower our costs, and increase the travel flexibility.

[@clarktm1275]

because you can't legally sleep in the trailer while it is being towed.

[@Rob_Moilanen]

+Todd Clark It's not just that, you can't have ANY passengers in the trailer (or any vehicle for that matter) while being towed and the truck is in motion, period. I don't know about Canada, but it's certainly the rule here in the states. However, you are allowed to have passengers sleeping in the sleeper birth while the truck is in motion, provided the sleeper is equipped with a safety restraint system, which most newer trucks come with them installed from the factory.

[@dbfcrell8300]

I had this Volvo with Smart loader, but I kept forgetting to grab my open coffee during loading, and got tired of cleaning up.

[@rvhaulers]

Not a problem. You can use non-spill mugs. Although I sometimes forget to close the lids on those too.

[@MujoNovak]

LOL

[@evanmoses30]

there's no right audio

[@rvhaulers]

+Evan Moses Thanks for letting me know. It was my mistake during editing.

[@evanmoses30]

no biggie i just noticed it due to wearing ear buds

[@1armedguy4]

Y

[@merksecution8395]

Your shirt doesn't match the background.

[@rvhaulers]

Yeah. My always says I dress funny.

[@calebhogue4695]

Gregg RVHaulers would this bed work with a small cart or atv

[@arthurbradley4182]

Copy that!

[@Truthcanbeconfusing]

how these people can haul an rv with a semi truck and then roll around in a micro car is odd, they should be driving around in something bigger.

[@ssoltys4128]

And they don’t need a cdl 🤦‍♂️

[@Truthcanbeconfusing]

You say make a manly statement with this setup, that's impossible. You're driving that clown car.

[@cesarcardona1984]

Everything is perfect except the smart car.

[@EfficientRVer]

I think a Prius Prime would be ideal, because it can carry 4-5 or sleep 2 on a side trip. But it weighs twice as much and has to go lengthways, so would need a much beefier hydraulic setup and probably a turntable to drive off. Still, the Smart Car being carried sideways is pretty cool and is way better than being tied to using the big rig for trips into town once settled in at a campsite. Putting a car in the back end of a beefy custom RV/toy trailer is more to my taste. Simpler, doesn't lock you into using a specific car like this, and garages the car out of the sun/hail etc. It would give up some length of living space or make for a trailer longer than most RV spaces.

[@catherinebarrs3975]

Your stuffed if your tall and cant fit in a smart car

[@jamesgilhooly1326]

If you don't have a CDL....You won't be able to drive this 1...

[@rvhaulers]

Hello James. Thanks for your comment. The reason we have single rear axle configurations is so we can title these rigs as motorhomes. You can operate these with a standard drivers license. If you can operate a motorhome, you can operate one of my RVHaulers. Sometimes, you have to take an air-brake course. Very rarely might you need to consider a CDL.

[@AlbertaRanch]

That could be the nicest truck and the ugliest shirt I've ever seen. :)

[@rvhaulers]

+Dude Solfest Hey! A customer gave it to me! I kinda like it. Although get close with a welder and it might turn into a plastic inferno....

[@andrewjackson7476]

+Gregg RVHaulers Have you tried carrying something other than a smart car? Miata or similar size?

[@rvhaulers]

+Andrew Jackson The only car that fits width-wise on the bed is a Smart car. Everything else is too long, and you have to load it length-wise.

[@andrewjackson7476]

Gregg RVHaulers O.K. Thank you for very helpful videos.

[@rvhaulers]

+Andrew Jackson Thanks for watching Andrew!

[@jamesgrey3368]

That's one of the most wasteful and idiotic things I've ever seen. Amazing.