Lifting 18’ Sunrader with two-post lift

[SlowYota]

Hey All,

 

I’m the proud new owner of an ‘85 Sunrader 18’! It’s in great condition generally but am planning some maintenance work in the next few weeks. I need to swap in a new throwout and pilot bearing for the clutch (requiring me to drop the transmission), and would like to do some rust mitigation on the underside of the frame and chassis. Getting the big sucker well off the ground would be a godsend.

 

As luck would have it, my boss is going to let me use his two post lift in his shop, but I’m quite worried that my rader might be too rear heavy to safely lift. I can’t seem to find any info on lift points for a Sunrader, or whether anyone’s successfully lifted a Sunrader on a two post lift.

 

I can quite easily calculate the center of gravity if I could get accurate axle weights, but alas; there’s lots of conflicting info out there. I’m going to try to see if my local dump will let me use their scales. 
 

Im wondering #1: does anyone know if the stock Toyota truck jack points are sufficient and #2: has anyone here successfully lifted their Sunrader using a two post lift?

 

Thanks!

 

-SlowYota

[fred heath]

My rig is 16’ with a deck extension on the back and 113#’s of Onan generator. 
 

Total weight about 4200 lbs.

 

You can lift with a two post using the frame for the lift, not the coach or cab.

My center shifted slightly to the rear. I compensated for this by flipping the two rear saddle cleats upright. This allowed the rear to rise slightly higher that the front helping to maintain balance.

 

As long as your two post has the proper weight capacity, you should be fine.

 

I recommend you test everything when the rig is about a foot off the ground. See if it’s going to be balanced. You can always reposition the arms as needed.

 

** watch the ceiling as your lifting. You motorhome is much taller than a normal truck or car. You don’t want to hear that dreadful crunch if you went too high.  Good luck.

[Ssunrader]

Might check the leaf spring bushings before you get that on the lift. Is another job the required a little elevation and would be a great time to take care of that if it’s needed.

 

Tailshaft bushings last a lot less longer on our heavy RVs too, but that can be easily done while on the ground or with a little boost. Might be worth checking while the transmission is out(?)

Edited September 2 by Ssunrader

[SlowYota]

On 9/2/2025 at 1:49 PM, fred heath said:

My rig is 16’ with a deck extension on the back and 113#’s of Onan generator. 
 

Total weight about 4200 lbs.

 

You can lift with a two post using the frame for the lift, not the coach or cab.

My center shifted slightly to the rear. I compensated for this by flipping the two rear saddle cleats upright. This allowed the rear to rise slightly higher that the front helping to maintain balance.

 

As long as your two post has the proper weight capacity, you should be fine.

 

I recommend you test everything when the rig is about a foot off the ground. See if it’s going to be balanced. You can always reposition the arms as needed.

 

** watch the ceiling as your lifting. You motorhome is much taller than a normal truck or car. You don’t want to hear that dreadful crunch if you went too high.  Good luck.

Thank you! I’m definitely going to be super careful! My boss has axle stands for some added safety

On 9/2/2025 at 2:51 PM, Ssunrader said:

Might check the leaf spring bushings before you get that on the lift. Is another job the required a little elevation and would be a great time to take care of that if it’s needed.

 

Tailshaft bushings last a lot less longer on our heavy RVs too, but that can be easily done while on the ground or with a little boost. Might be worth checking while the transmission is out(?)

Great suggestion. Will be ordering this parts!