Stacker Tips/Tricks

BIGG18c · 01-28-2025, 10:47 AM

Hey all, I am purchasing a 2012 26 foot stacker with a 4k stinger lift. I have never used a stacker yet. I am looking for all tips or tricks to have trouble free towing and use of my new to me toy. The two main cars that I will towing is a 2,000 pound roadster and a 2,800 pound nova. Which car should go on top? I am assuming heavier car on the bottom? Thank you all for any input!

Marc LaBrecque · 01-31-2025, 04:55 PM

Hey Grant , congratulations it's good to get some tips ..2 important things I learned make
Sure
you strap the suspension down on the car on the lift and definitely strap the
Lift down it will bounce on the stops !

james schaechter · 02-04-2025, 03:42 PM

I just went to a stacker this year and it has been great!

I asked friends that really put some serious miles on them for tips and it helped me spec out the one I have.

One thing is to check the straps often to ensure they don?t get loose. Mine were pretty good and occasionally they took a click or two to snug up, but it is worth the piece of mind.

Another is the dirt and gravel from some tracks can really accumulate and then fall off the car onto the bottom car so consider what is best there such as wiping the top car off from below or a cover on the lower car etc.

Tire rating and pressure is super important. If you don?t have G rated tires, consider that.

Also, really inspect the tongue and the hitch for potential weak points.

I run a trailer toad and while it is a pain to back up in some instances, it rides like a dream going down the road!

If you don?t know the loaded weight, I would suggest going over a CAT scale at a truck stop, if you download the app, it is easy and doesn?t cost much. I think it was $13.75.

Keith 944 · 02-11-2025, 08:25 AM

Question: if you?re only towing one car, do you put it on the lift and leave the lift on the floor or do you put the car in and leave the lift empty over the car?

Eric Merryfield · 02-11-2025, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith 944

Question: if you?re only towing one car, do you put it on the lift and leave the lift on the floor or do you put the car in and leave the lift empty over the car?

I leave the lift on the floor and park the car on it.

Eric Merryfield · 02-12-2025, 12:07 AM

[QUOTE=BIGG18c;708687]Hey all, I am purchasing a 2012 26 foot stacker with a 4k stinger lift. I have never used a stacker yet. I am looking for all tips or tricks to have trouble free towing and use of my new to me toy. The two main cars that I will towing is a 2,000 pound roadster and a 2,800 pound nova. Which car should go on top? I am assuming heavier car on the bottom? Thank you all for any input![/QUOT

Have insurance on the cars.......you are a lot more likely to have a incident with a stacker with car coming free, stuff falling on car below.....

I would strongly suggest also getting some fixed length straps for the top in addition to the standard 4 straps......piece of mind.....it still gets loose up there, but will not get free...strap lift down as well.

Re what to put on top versus bottom, a lot of its just preference, and how well you can get it strapped, what easiest to load, etc. I have a heavier truck on the top, and a car on the bottom, major plus if you can stand on the rear bumper of the car to tighten during stops.....

Truck came loose ONCE, broke mirror, got fixed straps no issues since.......tray fell on car on bottom ONCE....velcrod the living crap out of every square inch of the removable tray.....fell on the street car, just added character.

Stop frequently to restrap, the top will be 80% of the loose ones.

01-28-2025, 10:47 AM	#1
BIGG18c Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: North Dakota Posts: 39 Likes: 18 Liked 35 Times in 14 Posts	Stacker Tips/Tricks Hey all, I am purchasing a 2012 26 foot stacker with a 4k stinger lift. I have never used a stacker yet. I am looking for all tips or tricks to have trouble free towing and use of my new to me toy. The two main cars that I will towing is a 2,000 pound roadster and a 2,800 pound nova. Which car should go on top? I am assuming heavier car on the bottom? Thank you all for any input! __________________ Grant Christianson C521 S/G,S/C, Pro ET.

01-31-2025, 04:55 PM	#2
Marc LaBrecque Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 697 Likes: 20 Liked 419 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Stacker Tips/Tricks Hey Grant , congratulations it's good to get some tips ..2 important things I learned make Sure you strap the suspension down on the car on the lift and definitely strap the Lift down it will bounce on the stops !

02-04-2025, 03:42 PM	#3
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,971 Likes: 1,243 Liked 1,364 Times in 283 Posts	Re: Stacker Tips/Tricks I just went to a stacker this year and it has been great! I asked friends that really put some serious miles on them for tips and it helped me spec out the one I have. One thing is to check the straps often to ensure they don?t get loose. Mine were pretty good and occasionally they took a click or two to snug up, but it is worth the piece of mind. Another is the dirt and gravel from some tracks can really accumulate and then fall off the car onto the bottom car so consider what is best there such as wiping the top car off from below or a cover on the lower car etc. Tire rating and pressure is super important. If you don?t have G rated tires, consider that. Also, really inspect the tongue and the hitch for potential weak points. I run a trailer toad and while it is a pain to back up in some instances, it rides like a dream going down the road! If you don?t know the loaded weight, I would suggest going over a CAT scale at a truck stop, if you download the app, it is easy and doesn?t cost much. I think it was $13.75. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

02-11-2025, 08:25 AM	#4
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,180 Likes: 1,129 Liked 1,828 Times in 570 Posts	Re: Stacker Tips/Tricks Question: if you?re only towing one car, do you put it on the lift and leave the lift on the floor or do you put the car in and leave the lift empty over the car? __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

02-12-2025, 12:07 AM	#6
Eric Merryfield Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 864 Likes: 1 Liked 489 Times in 123 Posts	Re: Stacker Tips/Tricks [QUOTE=BIGG18c;708687]Hey all, I am purchasing a 2012 26 foot stacker with a 4k stinger lift. I have never used a stacker yet. I am looking for all tips or tricks to have trouble free towing and use of my new to me toy. The two main cars that I will towing is a 2,000 pound roadster and a 2,800 pound nova. Which car should go on top? I am assuming heavier car on the bottom? Thank you all for any input![/QUOT Have insurance on the cars.......you are a lot more likely to have a incident with a stacker with car coming free, stuff falling on car below..... I would strongly suggest also getting some fixed length straps for the top in addition to the standard 4 straps......piece of mind.....it still gets loose up there, but will not get free...strap lift down as well. Re what to put on top versus bottom, a lot of its just preference, and how well you can get it strapped, what easiest to load, etc. I have a heavier truck on the top, and a car on the bottom, major plus if you can stand on the rear bumper of the car to tighten during stops..... Truck came loose ONCE, broke mirror, got fixed straps no issues since.......tray fell on car on bottom ONCE....velcrod the living crap out of every square inch of the removable tray.....fell on the street car, just added character. Stop frequently to restrap, the top will be 80% of the loose ones. __________________ Eric Merryfield 1883 STK