1st Hot Tub - Cover lifter buying advice

May 22nd, 2019 11:52 am

#1

jmccrack6501 [OP]: Newbie; May 21, 2019; 2 posts

May 22nd, 2019 11:52 am

1st Hot Tub - Cover lifter buying advice

We purchased our 1st hot tub, and the one thing left to buy is a cover lifter.

I am looking for advice from hot tub owners... Manual vs Hydraulic lifters? Specific models?

Feedback appreciated.

Share:

May 22nd, 2019 2:08 pm

#2

Eldorado: Deal Addict; Nov 30, 2003; 2607 posts; 924 upvotes; Nunavut

May 22nd, 2019 2:08 pm

Manual is fine for most people and cases, hydraulic for me is a waste of money.. the cover isn't really *that* heavy.. maybe if you have physical challenges where you might need the help

+1

May 22nd, 2019 2:56 pm

#3

jmccrack6501 [OP]: Newbie; May 21, 2019; 2 posts

May 22nd, 2019 2:56 pm

I assume you don't need to fully open when you add chemicals? That is the only use case that I would see benefit in the hydraulic, to be able to fully open (by yourself) when you are not in the tub.

May 22nd, 2019 3:01 pm

#4

Chickinvic: Deal Fanatic; Dec 27, 2009; 7166 posts; 4351 upvotes; Victoria, BC

May 22nd, 2019 3:01 pm

I've never had a problem lifting and removing a hot tub cover (and I'm a woman, not some "he-man"). I wouldn't choose to spend my money on a hydraulic one (unless I was disabled somehow).

+1

May 22nd, 2019 4:39 pm

#5

IMHIP2: Sr. Member; Jan 14, 2007; 564 posts; 187 upvotes; GTA North

May 22nd, 2019 4:39 pm

We have a manual.
Cover buddy or something like that.
Very easy and simple to operate. Had to actually look up and see what a hydraulic lifter did

+1

May 22nd, 2019 11:20 pm

#6

PointsHubby: Deal Expert; Feb 7, 2017; 15463 posts; 12662 upvotes; Eastern Ontario

May 22nd, 2019 11:20 pm

Save your money.
The manual lifters are easy to operate.
When in use, it’s not so much that the cover is heavy, as it is big & bulky
Unless you are truly frail or elderly
You’ll get by perfectly fine with a manual model.

PS... head to a good spa store
Like Arctic Spa
They’ll have tubs set up on the floor with lifters attached that you can try out

When buying a cover, IMO the most important thing is thickness & durability
More than weight
That should be your primary concern

+1

May 24th, 2019 11:48 pm

#7

antigua1999: Deal Fanatic; Jun 11, 2005; 8545 posts; 2321 upvotes; Mississauga

May 24th, 2019 11:48 pm

jmccrack6501 wrote: ↑ We purchased our 1st hot tub, and the one thing left to buy is a cover lifter.

I am looking for advice from hot tub owners... Manual vs Hydraulic lifters? Specific models?

Feedback appreciated.

pm sent

May 26th, 2019 11:43 pm

#8

fusion2k2k: Deal Addict; Apr 6, 2008; 1807 posts; 1152 upvotes

May 26th, 2019 11:43 pm

Agreed, go for manual unless you have some sort of physical ailment

May 27th, 2019 1:30 am

#9

redgrandam: Deal Fanatic; Mar 12, 2010; 6068 posts; 595 upvotes; SW Ontario

May 27th, 2019 1:30 am

Is top or bottom lifter best for one that is sitting just on top of the groun (on gravel no deck around it).

Anything wrong with the ones from Home Depot?

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/canadi ... 1000788319

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/canadi ... 1000702139

May 27th, 2019 12:53 pm

#10

fusion2k2k: Deal Addict; Apr 6, 2008; 1807 posts; 1152 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 12:53 pm

redgrandam wrote: ↑Is top or bottom lifter best for one that is sitting just on top of the groun (on gravel no deck around it).

Anything wrong with the ones from Home Depot?

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/canadi ... 1000788319

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/canadi ... 1000702139

I have a top lifter, no issues with it. It sits on a stamped concrete patio. Difference is whether it's mounted to the tub or attached to the ground/base.

May 27th, 2019 1:03 pm

#11

PointsHubby: Deal Expert; Feb 7, 2017; 15463 posts; 12662 upvotes; Eastern Ontario

May 27th, 2019 1:03 pm

fusion2k2k wrote: ↑ I have a top lifter, no issues with it. It sits on a stamped concrete patio. Difference is whether it's mounted to the tub or attached to the ground/base.

I’ve always been under the impression that bottom lifters require more room, cause the base is on the ground.

So this post is confusing ... as to what sits on the stamped concrete patio (hot tub ? ... certainly not the cover lifter with the top of tub attachment point)

May 27th, 2019 3:28 pm

#12

antigua1999: Deal Fanatic; Jun 11, 2005; 8545 posts; 2321 upvotes; Mississauga

May 27th, 2019 3:28 pm

jmccrack6501 wrote: ↑ We purchased our 1st hot tub, and the one thing left to buy is a cover lifter.

I am looking for advice from hot tub owners... Manual vs Hydraulic lifters? Specific models?

Feedback appreciated.

Hey I pm you the information and haven't heard back from you. If not interested plmk and I will list on Kijji.