How to Choose the Best Hot Tub Cover Lifter
Hot tub covers are relatively heavy. The average weight of a typical hot tub cover is between 50 and 75 pounds. Because of this, most people struggle to lift and move their hot tub covers when they want to use their hot tubs.
Fortunately, there is a solution to the dilemma. A hot tub cover lifter is a device that can lift hot tub covers for you. Then you’ll never have to struggle with lifting your hot tub cover ever again. If you’re a senior citizen or someone with a physical disability, you will appreciate the help the lifter provides.
As a result, you can reduce your chance of getting a back injury from having to pull all that weight around. You’ll never have an excuse not to clean and treat your hot tub water ever again!
Finding the Top Hot Tub Cover Lifter
Hot Tub cover lifters are not all the same. There are several considerations you need to make before choosing a hot tub cover lifter. Let’s review those considerations below.
1) The Available Space Surrounding Your Hot Tub
How much space surrounds your hot tub? This is an essential consideration because some lifters require a lot of space around the hot tub.
What you’ll want to do is to measure the distance between the hot tub and the nearest objects or obstacles, such as your house, fence, trees, or other obstructions. Once you know the distance, you can determine how much space you have available for your hot tub lifter.
2) The Shape and Diameter of Your Hot Tub
Hot tubs are available in different shapes and sizes. You could have a hot tub that is circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. When choosing a hot tub lifter, make sure it can fit the shape of your hot tub. Some lifters are made to cover one shape only, while others can cover multiple shapes.
The other consideration needed is with the size of the cover. Lifters are not all made to handle covers of any size. Each lifter model will have a maximum cover size and minimum cover size that is permitted. The average lifter model should be able to handle a cover that is anywhere from 76 inches to 96 inches in diameter.
3) The Mount Type
Look at the way your hot tub is installed before deciding on which type of mount is needed. Is your hot tub built into the ground, or does it stand alone on its own? Is the hot tub installed on a patio or a deck?
The amount of clearance around your hot tub will determine the type of mounting that is required. In some cases, you’ll have a few different mounting options available. Choose the best looking option for your hot tub.
Please consider the environmental factors too. For instance, if your location gets a lot of snowy weather, then it will add more weight to the top of your cover. The best way to deal with the added weight is to use a hydraulic cover lifter. Otherwise, you’ll need to spend time removing the snow and ice from the cover before using your standard cover lifter.
Installing Your Hot Tub Cover Lifter
There are several ways to mount a cover lifter on your hot tub.
- You can attach a bottom mount lifter to the bottom of your hot tub. You can do it from the sides or back of the hot tub.
- A side mount lifter can be secured to one side of your hot tub and extend toward the top of it.
- A back-mount lifter is positioned in the back of your hot tub. The sides don’t need any space.
- An under-mount lifter is connected to a metal plate underneath your hot tub. If your hot tub is on a deck, then you’ll have to bolt the under-mount lifter to the deck.
- Adjustable lifters give you the freedom to place them anywhere that you’d like on your hot tub.
Hot Tub Cover Lifter Options
There are three options available for your hot tub cover lifters. Each option is different in terms of cost, amount of clearance required, and how easy it is to use.
1) Manual Pivot Cover Lifters
If you cannot afford to buy an expensive hot tub cover lifter, choose the manual pivot hot tub cover lifter. It consists of a metal bar in the center of your hot tub. After folding the cover in half, grab the metal bar and lift upwards to push off the cover from the tub.
The benefit of a manual pivot cover lifter is that it is compatible with just about any hot tub regardless of its size and shape. You can mount the cover lifter to the back, bottom, or sides of the hot tub. As long as you purchase a high-quality manual pivot cover lifter, it should be simple enough for you to use without needing anyone else to help you.
2) Hydraulic Cover Lifters
Hydraulic cover lifters are the most expensive and the easiest to use. Since it does most of the work, your only job is to fold the cover and guide it off the hot tub without any strength required. You can adjust a hydraulic cover lifter to accommodate your hot tub’s shape and size, which is another added benefit.
3) Shelf Cover Lifters
Shelf cover lifters are the cheapest lifters on this list. A shelf cover lifter gets fixed to the sides or back of your hot tub. When you want to use the hot tub, you fold over the cover and slide it onto the shelf. You’ll still have to lift the side of the cover when you fold it over, so it will require some of your strength to be used.
If sliding the cover lifter onto the shelf is an issue, then look for models that come with rollers. The rollers can assist you with the pushing and sliding. Make sure you have enough space around your hot tub to fit the shelf cover lifter. If you can find a shelf that folds downward near the tub’s base, then choose that one.
Final Words
Now you should have a clearer picture of how to select the right hot tub cover lifter for your hot tub. Consider all of the variables mentioned in this article before purchasing your cover lifter. That way, you won’t be disappointed with the results.