Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Tailhooker on July 26, 2008, 11:26:27 am
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Hot spring has a few listed below, and there is the Covermate I,II,III models out there. What do most people like out there? Most dealers through in the Covermate I, or comperable basic lifter. Is it worth upgrading or going gas shock?
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CoverCradle® Retractable Cover System
Dual pneumatic gas springs in the arms of this lifter make cover removal a breeze. The top-of-the-line CoverCradle system features a low-profile design and ultra-smooth gliding mechanism. Requires 24" clearance.
CoverCradle II Retractable Cover System
Similar in design to the CoverCradle, this lifter uses a single pneumatic gas spring and allows for a smooth operation.
GlideRite® Retractable Cover SystemGlideRite® Retractable Cover System
This simple and efficient cover lifter requires 14" clearance.
Lift 'n Glide® Retractable Cover SystemLift 'n Glide® Retractable Cover System
This economical cover lifter requires 14" clearance.
UpRite® Retractable Cover System
This system lifts the cover up over the spa bar top. It is ideal for limited clearance applications such as decks and gazebos. Requires only 7" clearance.
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I think it depends on your install. I have the covermate with gass shocks and it works great!
It also holds my cover high to act as a windbreak and screen, my tub is set into the deck so I don't think I had many options.
But it does a good job at winbreaking at times so it was a win win situation. I also have neighbors that are directly on either side of me, my wife and I are trying to figure out what to do for the side without the cover on it.
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Vinny, Target has molded privacy screens. http://www.target.com/Outdoor-Screen-Enclosure-White/dp/B000K6JHR6/sr=1-1/qid=1217090013/ref=sr_1_1/601-1634692-4791332?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Agarden%20screen&page=1
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Probably 80% of our spas go out with the CM1 most of the time its a throw in and that one's cost is not bad to be a give away. That and it works really well, Covermate3 is our second choice, but kids specially teenagers cant seem to use the safety lock and just force the lift down and bend of break the shocks.
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I personally love the coverplay....very durable and no rust, but it has a few limits such as round or octo tubs it has to be mounted to the deck/cement.
We have also sold a couple of the covers with the lifter built in. So Far we really like them, we will see how they last over time.....
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Vinny, Target has molded privacy screens. http://www.target.com/Outdoor-Screen-Enclosure-White/dp/B000K6JHR6/sr=1-1/qid=1217090013/ref=sr_1_1/601-1634692-4791332?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Agarden%20screen&page=1
Thanks Boni!
I have no clue what my wife wants ... I'm thinking roman shades but do you insult a neighbor by installing 1 shade where the window is? I was also thinking some kind of sheet (fancy shower curtain maybe?) that is easily put up and down. My screen room is aluminum so magnets are out.
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I also wanted to add that 3 years ago when I bought my spa there seemed to be less choices as well.
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Most of our spas go out with either Cover Cradle 2 or CM1.
The problems Jim describes with CM3 are universal to the zero clearance lifters. We have seen them with CM3, UpRite and Cover Valet. :-X
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Speaking to Hot Spring specifically, I would go with either the Cover Cradle or CCII. The CCII is a bit cheaper and has one shock instead of two. The extra shock is nice for the larger covers.
The Cover Cradles are made specifically for Hot Spring. The Hot Spring cover has a metal plate in the side of the cover to attach the Cover Cradle. This makes for a strong lift and less wear on the cover.
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Tail hooker,
The CM1 is a decent lifter. It's pretty basic but it does the job. I had one on my Caspain.
What hot tub is this lifter going on? I ask as the Caspian was a 6 x 6 and I don't think I would put a larger cover on the CM1. There were a few times when there was some slush on the cover and lifting it was very difficult. My wife would also have a hard time lifiting the cover. Usually to open it fully, I would fold it half over and then get in the tub and lift it all the way up by lifting from the middle of the cover.
when I got my Geneva, I upgraded to the Pro lift II ($300?) which has the pnematic shock assists, and I think it's a great lifter. The main difference being is to open the Pro lift II you flip the front half over (like all lifters) and then, rather than lift the folded cover, you gentley push the lifter back, and it goes up. Easy. I ca do it with a few fingers.
The PLII is also mounted directly to a metal brace in my cover and I think it provides for a smoother lift. fliping the cover over a bar (asin the CM1) sometimes I felt that I could twist out (or rack) the bar. Not so with the Pro lift. Smooth and easy.
since the cover is mounted directly to the lifter, there is no need for cover clips/locks on the back of the spa. For me, this is a huge plus. I hated walking around the spa to snap/unsnap the clips (espically in the winter). And it;s easy to forget about those back clips and I had snapped my fair share of them. The Pro lift II style eliminates that.
If you are going to get a lifter that mounts directly into you hot tub cabinet, I would take a few minutes to decide wich one you want. as it will be with you for a long time.
The covermate I is a good, basic lifter and may serve you well. So don't get me wrong...however, are the better ones? Absolutey. If you have it in your budget, go down to you dealer, and try them out and see if they make a difference to you. :) I think too many people overlook the lifter and take what ever the dealer tosses in.
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Tail hooker,
The CM1 is a decent lifter. It's pretty basic but it does the job. I had one on my Caspain.
What hot tub is this lifter going on? I ask as the Caspian was a 6 x 6 and I don't think I would put a larger cover on the CM1. There were a few times when there was some slush on the cover and lifting it was very difficult. My wife would also have a hard time lifiting the cover. Usually to open it fully, I would fold it half over and then get in the tub and lift it all the way up by lifting from the middle of the cover.
when I got my Geneva, I upgraded to the Pro lift II ($300?) which has the pnematic shock assists, and I think it's a great lifter. The main difference being is to open the Pro lift II you flip the front half over (like all lifters) and then, rather than lift the folded cover, you gentley push the lifter back, and it goes up. Easy. I ca do it with a few fingers.
The PLII is also mounted directly to a metal brace in my cover and I think it provides for a smoother lift. fliping the cover over a bar (asin the CM1) sometimes I felt that I could twist out (or rack) the bar. Not so with the Pro lift. Smooth and easy.
since the cover is mounted directly to the lifter, there is no need for cover clips/locks on the back of the spa. For me, this is a huge plus. I hated walking around the spa to snap/unsnap the clips (espically in the winter). And it;s easy to forget about those back clips and I had snapped my fair share of them. The Pro lift II style eliminates that.
If you are going to get a lifter that mounts directly into you hot tub cabinet, I would take a few minutes to decide wich one you want. as it will be with you for a long time.
The covermate I is a good, basic lifter and may serve you well. So don't get me wrong...however, are the better ones? Absolutey. If you have it in your budget, go down to you dealer, and try them out and see if they make a difference to you. :) I think too many people overlook the lifter and take what ever the dealer tosses in.
Most likely looking at the Envoy, liked the jets best on that model. I think that I am getting some steps built as part of my pool install so I might be able to trade no steps for an upgrade on the lifter. I think that the dealer "gives" something similar to the GlideRite® Retractable Cover System (the tub sits on top of the mechanism "i.e. no drilling into spa I think")
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When looking at cover lifters also consider how much clearence is required behind the spa, and how far down they lower the cover. Some folks like a cover lifter that lowers the cover as far down as possible, other prefer a cover sitting a bit higher (privacy, and a wind block.).
Have the wife come down to the showroom with you and have her try opening a few covers on her own, and see if she has a preference. ;)
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When looking at cover lifters also consider how much clearence is required behind the spa, and how far down they lower the cover. Some folks like a cover lifter that lowers the cover as far down as possible, other prefer a cover sitting a bit higher (privacy, and a wind block.).
Have the wife come down to the showroom with you and have her try opening a few covers on her own, and see if she has a preference. ;)
Shouldn't have any problem with room behind the spa. I know that all the covers in the stores are new. Do all covers take on water eventually and when they do is much tougher to lift the cover if you don't have shocks? :-/
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Do all covers take on water eventually and when they do is much tougher to lift the cover if you don't have shocks? :-/
Yup.
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We sell a good number of replacement cover lifters to people that think the lifter will work on 200 pound water logged covers.................they don't...nor do the shocks help much when the cover has absorbed 100 pounds of water.
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Regardless of all that, if you are going to end up with a Hot Spring, it makes complete sense to go with the lifter that is designed for Hot Spring.
If other manufacturers had lifters designed for their spas, then I'd go with that lifter.
I have had great luck with my lifter on my Hot Spring cover. You will too.
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I asked these questions on another spa forum yesterday (have been reading this one regularly but have never posted) and got no responses so maybe you folks will be more helpful. We have had our spa for a year with no lifter and are now shopping online for one. I have a few questions:
1. Should I also buy the cover saver straps to reduce stress on the hinge? Are they an unnecessary add-on or a good idea?
2. The composite skirting is only about 1/4 thick. Will that be sufficient for the brackets to screw into or should we add additional wood framing?
3. I'm also considering buying a 1/4 inch floating blanket. Has anyone tried the leash that can be bought that removes the blanket at the same time that the lifter removes the cover? Again, is this a worthwhile add-on or a waste of money?
Thanks in advance.
Sandi
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1. You can if you like but I think most people don't usa a cover saver. I guess it is possible it will save the cover's hinge. My cover is 3 YO and the ends of the hinge are starting to wear.
2. Is there any wood at all for the framing? (uprights and on the top) I have the plastic skirting, have a Cover Mate 3 (has gas shocks) and had to install it right near the lip of the acrylic where there was wood framing. Works great but it holds the cover high - which works for me.
3. The 1/4" foam blanket works well. The leash makes it convienient to use. I had the 1/4" one originally and it lasted 2 years. I replaced it with a 1/8" one and it certainly is not the same. Personally I would use velcro and glue on both the cover side and blanket side for the leash. (should be self explanitory when you get the leash)
Hope this helps!
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Been watching this tread seeing where it;s going....figured I throw in my opinion :)
There really isn't a "best" cover lifter. Most work quite well, though a little differently (there's a few that are cheaply built and wont last long, but even they, tend to do their job).
With EVERY coverlifter, the most difficult part of opening the cover is flipping back the first half of the cover. After that, it only gets easier.
Shocks - The lifters that use shocks generally require less room or clearance behind the spa. They also usually stand the cover straight up on the edge of the spa and act as a wall or barrier. This can be an advantage, or undesirable depending on your personal preference. One other downside is that the shocks some how lock in the open position, and occasionally break as people forgot to "unlock" them before closing. Also, it seems most of the shocks have a life of 3 to 5 years (but are replaceable).
No-shocks - These cover lifters require more room behind the spa tend to leave the cover lower than lifts with shocks. But realistically, when sitting in for spa your eye-level is only a few inches above the spa and even these block most of your view. Other than the with the Cover-Up, they tend to require slightly more effort to close, but not much.
the Coversaver - Works well and depending on the quality of your cover, it may help to extend it's life.
One issue we're seeing more of is people going longer between replacing their cover due to excessive water absorption and weight gain. Some of it is due to the economy, some due to their not realizing how much weight it's gaining, as the coverlift makes it still easy enough to open. We get a few orders for new covers, along with replacement parts for cover lifts, that have been damaged from excessively heavy covers.
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I would think that a foam blanket sitting on top of the water would cut down on the amount of water that is absorbed into the cover. Since the cover is on about 22 to 23 hours a day, I would think it would help a lot in making a cover last longer. Along with cutting down on the amount of water that is lost through evaporation. Is that correct ??
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I would think that a foam blanket sitting on top of the water would cut down on the amount of water that is absorbed into the cover. Since the cover is on about 22 to 23 hours a day, I would think it would help a lot in making a cover last longer. Along with cutting down on the amount of water that is lost through evaporation. Is that correct ??
This is the belief. My belief also is that since the water's surface isn't open it cuts down on heat loss as well. But I don't think there is proof of either.
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This has been my reality. I had a cover seam defect that was fixed under warranty just under 2 years. They replaced the skin only, not the foam.
When they took everything apart, I totally checked it out--I had a few condensation water droplets in with the foam, otherwise it was nice and dry--no water logging anywhere.
I attribute this to the knowledge gleaned here before purchase. I have used a bubble blanket since day one and I truly believe this has made the difference in the longevity of my cover.
The seam that was defective was on the outside of my cover, facing the natural elements, not the inside faced with chemicals, etc.
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Thanks to all who responded to my questions about cover lift accessories and the cover lift itself. I decided on the Covermate EZ b/c the brackets mount at the bottom of the skirting and I know we have wood framing there, and the straps mount right where the shell and the skirting meet and I know we have framing there. I also ordered the cover saver straps and the leash for the blanket.
As for the blanket, we currently have the 1/8 inch thick foam type and I agree that it helps with protecting the underside of the cover and with evaporation. What I don't like about it is how it bunches up and moves around if I turn on the jets just to add chemicals, plus it has gotten a few tears in just a year from taking it off and putting it on, which is why I'm getting the heavier one.
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I believe I have found the best cover remover, in fact its a cover, cover remover and gazebo all in one. Check out [glow]www.sterlingcovana.com[/glow]
I just started selling these in my showroom recently.
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I believe I have found the best cover remover, in fact its a cover, cover remover and gazebo all in one. Check out [glow]www.sterlingcovana.com[/glow]
I just started selling these in my showroom recently.
That's neat! Whats somthing like that cost?
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We are offing them at $3995.00 as an introductory price.
I plan on ordering one for our home as it is very windy where I live , we call it the Tundra.
I have to weigh our cover down with cinder blocks which are a pain to remove before a soak.
This cover will seal itself and open on its own from the comfort of my kitchen.
Gotta love it.