Is a 500kg tail lift OK for a Formula Ford

[Patmo]

Hi
Has anyone exprience on using a 3.5 T luton with a 500kg tail lift for transporting a Formula Ford ?
Thanks for feedback
Patrick

[matlockscot]

The weight rating for a tail lift is generally the maximum weight at a distance of 1 metre from the rear of the truck. Presumably you have ramp extensions to deal with the length? I use a 1 ton lift for a Sports 2000 car which weighs around 550kg which does the trick, I'm guessing that 500kg might struggle (but if you try, make sure you back the car in with the engine & gearbox closest to the truck). I'm others will have more relevant experience / advice!

[Patmo]

Hi Thank you for your answer
May I understand that a taillift 1 ton means
OK for one ton at 1 meter and 500 Kg at 2 meter ?

If I ssume the center of gravity of a racing car is at 1.5 meter for the rear end of thee gearbox
a 750 Kg tailift might do the trick...
Corect ?
Patrick

[Lancsbreaker]

I think its a bit more complicated than that....."Centre of Gravity" is one thing, but you are actually putting that weight to ground on four points - the wheels....so what are the corner weights, and how far are the furthest corners away from the pivot point of the tail-lift? You'll then have to do some maths to work out the leveraged weight you are putting onto the structure of the tail-lift.

Of course you can make all Health and Safety practitioners scream by saying that rated capacities usually have at least a 100% safety factor built in so you'll probably get away with it