Opinions on the RLV Kart Stand

Alex Dunn · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Posts: 112

Good Afternoon Everyone-

Hope all is well. I need to get a kart stand and am looking at the RLV kart stand (the one with the arms that fold down) because I need a small kart stand because I drive a Wrangler so no storage in the vehicle and tow a 5x8 open trailer so I think this would fit in the trailer. Anyone have any opinions on it?
If it sucks, is there a better stand out there that folds up to a good size? The Bigfoot?

Thanks,

Alex

Matt McCauley · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 422

i think its great. except someone lost mine at a track when i let the borrow it. i miss it alot.

i would buy another as soon as i get enough money

Clarence Carter · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

I love mine
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Lance Keelan · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

Check out the Hitchhiker. Plugs into your hitch when you need it to.

www.hhks.net
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Brad Hendrickson · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject:

I like my RLV stand a lot. Since many others do as well, I sticker it up with my kart number so it does not accidently go home in the wrong trailer....

That said, the hitchiker can be easily transported on an open trailer, with a small peice of box tubing welded on (simulating a receiver hitch) to the trailer wherever you want it. The side benefit of the receiver hitch simulator is you can get attachments to stick a vise in there, or tire mounting tools, or a bike rack.
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Michael Moshenek · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

I hate mine. my kart weights in at about 220 and is impossible to turn sharply without picking up the end with the casters on it.

Jeff Grist · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 74

The RLV kart stand is great. I have used one for over six years. Our kart weighs a ton and we have had no problems at all. They fold up nicely and stack on top of our kart stacker. Works great.

Jeff Grist
Secrets of Speed Publications

Chuck Parker · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

The bearings that come in the top of the caster wheels are bearings that are designed for vertical loads. Or loads parallel to the bearing race. In the arrangement the stand is made the two bearings are always in a side load or perpendicular to the bearing race. The casters don't swivel to well, what the top of the caster pin needs is a radial bearing or a taper bearing.

I'm no engineer, so please excuse my inaccurate description. At the end of the day with a heavy kart the casters don't pivot well. I even replaced the swivel bearing with more precise type and the casters still wouldn't swivel well.

Gary Lawson · Joined: 21 Aug 2001 Posts: 542

I hate the RLV stands. They are a piece of junk compared to the Streeter stands. The quality of the casters is what separates a good stand from a cheap/junk one. I would never buy an RLV. Their bead breaker is also junk by the way too.

gene mccook · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

put the kart on the stand so the pivot wheels are at the back of the kart.

makes it much easier to push and turn

joseph hollinger

Alex Dunn · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Posts: 112

WOW

I didn't think opinions would be this polarized on the RLV kart stand!

So it seems the hitchhiker is a popular choice, what about the Streeter Bigfoot? Any have one or an opinion on them?

Scott Heavin · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:13 am Post subject:

I've got a Bigfoot & it's fine. Does the job and has held up well.

And I always hate to be negative about a company or product, but I wouldn't buy an RLV stand if it was $10. Those are the most frustrating things I've ever tried to use. Won't track straight (casters front or casters back), tips a lot easier than a Streeter, and just doesn't feel nearly as solid. I've had to push friends RLVs before and like I said, it's just frustrating to constantly have to stop, back up, go kick the casters around to the right direction and go again...hoping it might go straight ffor the next 10 feet.. It's not a difficult concept, but RLV seemed to miss.

*And I'll tell you something. At NCMP, the pit lane is pretty far from some of the garages, so a lot of times when guys are pushing an empty stand back, they'll ride it like a skateboard. You see guys doing this all the time with a Streeter. I've never seen a single person even attempt it with an RLV - you would be into the fence or barriers in seconds.
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Mike Graham · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:55 am Post subject:

I have a RLV and I like it alot. It is a pain to push when the kart is not on it since the wheels do wooble alot, but when the kart is on it, it is just fine for me. For the people who have been complaining about not being able to turn the stand when the kart is on it, why not just pull from the front (its actually alot easier and lighter to pull unless going up a hill).

Also this stand makes it easy for me to put the kart on and take it off the stand by myself!

Scott, if u know anyone selling one for $10 I'll gladly buy it!!! Wink

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

If you're not going to get a Kartlift like you should, then the Streeter is the way to go. Razz

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