THULE 571 Box Lift

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

The lift itself is clever, well designed, it works very well, and is solidly constructed. It does take time to lay out mount points but that is not a problem with the lift.

The only problem I encountered was with the directions. I'm an engineer and can read diagrams, etc. The written instructions do not align with the diagrams, and thankfully I chose to follow the diagrams and had a very successful install. If I had followed the text instructions to the letter, the lift would not have worked.

In the end, the lift works perfectly and provided a great way to store my kayak above my garage.

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

This lift works like a champ! I'm using it for my Yakima box, and because of it's simple design, would work for all sorts of other things as well. As noted in other reviews, I took the approach of first installing 2x4s perpendicular to my ceiling joists, and then mounted the lift to those (to deal with the difference in standard construction spacing here in the US vs. the EU).

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

Cost seems high for the type of hardware. Instructions say fasteners are for concrete ceilings. Who has those? So you have to buy additional fasteners to hang it. Also, wooden boards fastened across the ceiling joists will likely be needed to provide a firm attachment point for pulleys, since joists will probably not line up where you want to locate the the lift. Otherwise, this is a product that functions as advertised.

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

This is great to help get the car carrier out of the way and off the floor. It took longer than expected to install but once it is up it is easy to use and worth the effort.[...]

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

Product designed for a concrete ceiling but can be adapted for use with wood framed structure. Once I figured out how to get around the fact that the roof trusses ran at right angles to the provided hardware in my chosen installation area, it went up in a flash and operates like a champ. Good product. You will have to go to the 'big box' store for wood screws.

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

Some use the Thule cartop boxes for sports equipment. I use it for all the crap I take to my mother in law's house, having three boys under the age of 6. This box lift keeps the garage organized and keeps the kids away from the box so it doesn't get damaged or scratched.

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

Great buying experience! It took no time, and no hassles getting the product. As one previous reviewer mentioned, it's hard to mount this in a typical garage with joists on 16 inch centers without additional strapping. I used three 2x4's for strapping (width wise) just to be certain it would hold, and it has. The instructions aren't clear on how tight to a corner of your garage you can install and use this lift. [...]
The rope supplied, could stand to be a little longer so it could lower to the ground in my ~12ft tall garage, but I consider this a minor nuisance.
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Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

This is a great product!! I can now remove and re-install my ski box by myself on my SUV

Comments about THULE 571 Box Lift:

The lift works really well once it is installed. Be aware, though, that it is a little harder to install in our North American construction wood frame buildings if you have a fully finished garage, and your stud spacings don't line up with the spacing required by the lift. I would buy it again.