There’s a moment every truck owner knows well. It’s the strained silence, punctuated by a grunt, as you try to heave something impossibly heavy and awkward over the tailgate. For me, it was a 150-pound portable generator, just after a week-long camping trip. My back was already tired, and my buddy had already left. It was just me, the generator, and the three-foot vertical climb into the bed of my F-150. I tried the deadlift approach, the slide-and-pivot, and finally, the defeated call to a neighbor. It’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a recipe for a pulled muscle, a scratched tailgate, or a damaged piece of expensive equipment. Whether you’re a hunter trying to load a whitetail deer solo, a contractor wrestling with tools, or just trying to move an appliance, the problem is the same: modern trucks are tall, heavy objects are heavy, and our backs are not invincible. This is the precise, frustrating problem that demands a mechanical solution.
- Easy Lifting: Built to eliminate the aches and pains of loading game animals and other heavy objects after a hunt in your truck by providing a means to safely load by yourself
- Equipped to Assist: Features a large platform and a hand winch to raise the load slightly above tailgate level to easily load your heavy boxes and hunted bucks without assistance
- Reliable and Durable: Capable of lifting heavy and bulky objects of up to 300 pounds and is made of durable powder-coated steel to ensure long-lasting use without degradation
What to Consider Before Buying a Hitch-Mounted Cargo Solution
A hitch-mounted cargo solution is more than just an accessory; it’s a key to unlocking your vehicle’s full utility and, in many cases, preserving your physical well-being. These devices solve the fundamental limitations of a truck bed or SUV trunk: finite space and challenging loading heights. They allow you to transport bulky, dirty, or heavy items externally, freeing up internal space and saving your vehicle’s interior. The core benefit is empowerment—the ability to handle tasks and transport gear single-handedly that would otherwise require a team of two or more. It’s about transforming a two-person job into a one-person operation safely and efficiently.
The ideal customer for a product like the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist is someone who frequently faces the challenge of lifting heavy, cumbersome objects alone. This includes hunters, solo campers, farmers, individuals with physical limitations or past injuries, and even DIY enthusiasts moving things like pressure washers or small machinery. It’s for the person whose primary problem isn’t a lack of space, but the physical act of lifting. Conversely, this type of specialized lift might not be suitable for those who simply need to transport extra luggage, coolers, or camping bins. For that, a standard static cargo basket would be a more practical and affordable choice. If your loads are always light, the mechanical complexity of a hoist is overkill.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Vehicle Compatibility: This is paramount. Measure your vehicle’s hitch height from the ground. Many modern trucks, especially 4×4 and heavy-duty models, sit much higher than older ones. A hoist’s vertical mast must be tall enough to lift its platform clear of your open tailgate, and it must not interfere with tailgate support cables. Failure to verify this can render the product completely unusable with your specific vehicle.
- Capacity & Lifting Mechanism: Understand the weight limit—in this case, 300 pounds. While that covers a wide range of items, don’t try to exceed it. More importantly, evaluate the lifting mechanism. A manual hand winch requires physical effort and, crucially, a safe way to lower the load. Some winches lack controlled descent, creating a potential safety hazard if your hand slips.
- Materials & Durability: Look for powder-coated steel for a good balance of strength and rust resistance. However, pay attention to the smaller components. Are the bolts properly sized? Do moving parts like rollers ride on smooth surfaces or on threads that could cause premature wear? The overall build quality is often revealed in these small details.
- Ease of Use & Assembly: A good design should be intuitive. How quickly can it be assembled and disassembled in the field? Complicated setups defeat the purpose of convenience. Read about the assembly process beforehand; some products have well-known quirks or frustrating steps that can sour the ownership experience from day one.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist stands out in several areas, particularly its unique lifting function. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist is an excellent choice for its specific purpose, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including static carriers, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- HEAVY DUTY STEEL CONSTRUCTION: 1 Piece construction with matt black powder coating finish that resists the elements, rust and scratches.
- DURABLE BUILD - Tubular steel in black epoxy powder coating to promote high strength and a lightweight design. and covered in a rust free coating. It is rated for 200 lbs
- 【LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY】Free up space in your vehicle with this roof rack cargo basket that can hold up to 200 Lbs. Overall dimensions include: 46"(L) x 36"(W) x 5"(H)
Unboxing and First Impressions: A Mixed Bag
Our experience with the arrival of the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist unfortunately mirrored that of many other users. The cardboard box looked like it had survived a cross-country journey on the outside of the truck, not inside it. It was battered, torn, and held together with more tape than cardboard. Upon opening it, the heavy powder-coated steel components were loose, having broken free from their internal restraints. This resulted in a fair amount of cosmetic damage—scratches and scuffs that exposed the bare metal underneath. While we understand this is a utility item destined for a life of hard work, arriving with pre-installed “character” is always disappointing and raises concerns about potential rust down the line.
Setting aside the packaging woes, the components themselves feel substantial. The steel is thick and heavy, giving an immediate impression of strength. The unit breaks down into three main parts: the hitch mount with the vertical mast, the lifting platform, and the winch assembly. This modular design is clever, making it manageable to transport and store. The platform’s expanded metal mesh seems adequate, and the brushed finish on the powder coat is functional, if not premium. However, a closer inspection revealed some minor quality control issues, like a small glob of welding slag on a critical surface that we had to file down. It was a stark reminder that this is a heavy-duty tool, not a precision-machined piece of equipment.
What We Like
- Enables true single-person loading of heavy items up to 300 lbs
- Versatile design is useful for hunting, farming, and general utility
- Breaks down into three manageable pieces for easy transport and storage
- Heavy-gauge steel construction feels robust and durable
What We Didn’t Like
- Severe compatibility issues with many modern, high-clearance trucks
- Assembly of the hand winch is notoriously difficult and poorly designed
- Packaging is consistently poor, often resulting in damaged parts upon arrival
Putting the SWIVELIFT to the Test: A Deep Dive into Performance
A tool like the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist isn’t judged on its looks, but on its performance under load. We took it from the messy pile of parts on our shop floor to the field, using it to load everything from a quartered deer to a cumbersome fifth-wheel hitch. Our in-depth testing revealed a product that is brilliant in concept but has some significant, and at times frustrating, real-world limitations.
The Assembly Gauntlet: More Than Just a Few Bolts
Let’s be blunt: assembling the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist is mostly straightforward, with one glaring, controller-throwing exception—the winch. Mounting the hand winch to the mast is an exercise in frustration that feels like a design afterthought. The challenge lies in securing a bolt and nut in a position inside the winch housing that is nearly impossible to reach with standard tools or average-sized hands. We spent a good 30 minutes contorting our fingers, dropping the nut repeatedly, and questioning the sanity of the engineer who signed off on this design. This wasn’t just our experience; it’s the single most common complaint we found among user feedback. One user offered a clever hack of removing the entire cable spool to gain access, while another suggested a telescopic magnet. The fact that users have to invent their own workarounds speaks volumes. For a product designed for quick field setup, this initial assembly hurdle is a significant flaw that starts the ownership experience on a sour note.
Real-World Lifting Power: The Good and The Grindy
Once assembled, we put the SWIVELIFT to work. Its core function—lifting—is genuinely impressive. We first tested it with a 100-pound deer. Securing the animal to the 36.5″ x 21.25″ platform was simple, and cranking the winch handle brought it up smoothly. The mechanical advantage is well-geared, requiring manageable effort to lift even loads approaching the 300-pound limit. The ability to stop, walk away, and have the load stay securely in the air is a massive benefit. After lifting the platform above the tailgate, the swivel function works as advertised. You simply rotate the entire mast and platform over your truck bed and prepare to lower it. It turns a dangerous, back-straining solo lift into a safe, controlled mechanical process. It truly is a back saver.
However, we quickly encountered some of the quirks other users had warned about. When we loaded a heavy generator with a concentrated footprint, the expanded metal mesh on the platform began to sag noticeably around the central support beam. We followed the advice of another owner and added a custom-cut piece of 3/4-inch plywood to the platform. This modification was a game-changer, distributing the weight evenly and creating a much more stable surface. We also noticed that as the platform carriage travels up the main mast, it can bind slightly, requiring a little “jiggle” to keep it moving smoothly. Finally, the swivel mechanism itself lacks a locking pin. While it’s held in place by tension, a heavy, off-center load on uneven ground could potentially swing unexpectedly, which is a minor safety concern.
The Downside: Uncontrolled Descents and Compatibility Headaches
Lifting is only half the equation; lowering is just as important. This is where the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist reveals its most significant functional flaw. The hand winch does not have a proper braking system or a controlled, geared-down reverse. To lower a load, you have to flip a pawl and then manually resist the full force of the load with the crank handle. If your hand slips, the handle will free-spin violently until the platform crashes down. Lowering a 200-pound object becomes a white-knuckle affair that feels unnecessarily hazardous. This is a critical design oversight that turns a simple task into a risky one.
The biggest deal-breaker, however, is vehicle compatibility. We tested the hoist on a newer Ford F-250 with a stock suspension, and the product was fundamentally incompatible. The vertical mast is simply too short for the truck’s height. At its highest point, the platform could not clear the top of the tailgate. Furthermore, as we tried to lift, the platform directly interfered with the truck’s tailgate support cables. This isn’t an isolated issue. We found numerous reports from owners of modern RAM 2500, Chevy 2500HD, and other high-clearance trucks who ran into the exact same problem. For some, the platform was still nearly a foot off the ground at its lowest setting, making it difficult to load heavy objects onto it in the first place. Before you even consider purchasing, we strongly advise you to measure from your hitch receiver to the top of your open tailgate and compare it to the lift’s operational height. For many modern trucks, this hoist will not work without significant modification.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are strongly supported by a chorus of user experiences that paint a very consistent picture. The praise is almost always directed at the core concept. One user, a combat veteran, shared a powerful story about how the SWIVELIFT gave him the ability to load a heavy inflatable boat and go fishing with his son again, something his injuries previously prevented. Others celebrate it as the perfect tool for single-handedly loading deer, with one hunter noting it “kept him from having to call a buddy to load his first deer for the year.” For many, when it works, it’s a game-changer that restores independence and prevents injury.
However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses on execution. The condition of the product upon arrival is a major point of contention. One user aptly stated, “the manufacturer, HME, should hire a packaging engineer,” after his arrived with all the internal tie-downs broken and the heavy parts having chafed each other during shipping. This experience of receiving scratched, and sometimes even rusted, components is far too common. The most critical feedback, echoing our own tests, is about vehicle fitment. As one owner of a new Dodge 2500 4×4 put it, “fully lowered it was still 6-8 inches off the ground. It didn’t fit right once I had it raised up to the pickup bed, either.” This sentiment is the death knell for many potential buyers with modern, high-clearance trucks, highlighting a significant design limitation.
How the SWIVELIFT Stacks Up: Hoist vs. Carrier
It’s important to understand that comparing the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist to typical hitch cargo carriers is like comparing a workshop crane to a shelf. They exist in the same space but serve entirely different functions. The SWIVELIFT is an active tool for lifting, while the following alternatives are passive solutions for carrying.
1. KAIRAY 60″x24″ Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier w/ Waterproof Bag
- HEAVY DUTY STEEL CONSTRUCTION: 1 Piece construction with matt black powder coating finish that resists the elements, rust and scratches.
- MESH SURFACE: Prevents smaller objects from falling through, 14.4" raised tubular side rails(3.2" only when folded) to make sure cargo do not jolt or slide randomly.
- SAFETY REFLECTORS: Driving at night, rainy days or other severe weather is very dangerous. Equipped with 2 red reflectors to help you safety at night.
The KAIRAY carrier is a traditional cargo basket. With a 500-pound capacity, it’s designed to carry coolers, luggage, camping equipment, and other bulky items you don’t want inside your vehicle. It comes as a complete package with a waterproof bag, cargo net, and stabilizer. This is the ideal choice for a family going on vacation or a camper needing to haul extra gear. Someone would choose this over the SWIVELIFT if their problem is a lack of space, not an inability to lift the items they need to transport. If you can lift your gear, but just don’t have room for it, the KAIRAY is the more practical and economical solution.
2. MAXXHAUL 60″ x 22″ Aluminum Cargo Carrier Rack
- Constructed from extruded aluminum material that is durable, light weight making it easy to install. Will not rust and is easy to clean and maintain
- Features a heavy duty steel under frame support that has a rugged powder coat finish and a 2" x 2" hitch shaft to fit standard Class III and IV hitch receivers
- Also include reflector strips and red-colored corners to provide extra visibility for added safety
The MAXXHAUL carrier’s primary advantage is its aluminum construction. This makes it significantly lighter than its steel counterparts, which is easier on your back when installing and removing it from the hitch receiver. It’s also naturally resistant to rust, a major plus for those in wet or snowy climates. While its 500-pound capacity matches the steel versions, its purpose remains the same: static transport. A user would opt for the MAXXHAUL over the SWIVELIFT if they value a lightweight, weather-resistant design for carrying general cargo and are not concerned with lifting assistance. It’s a great fit for SUVs and cars where adding too much tongue weight is a concern.
3. Goplus 500LBS Hitch Mount Scooter Carrier with Ramp
- 【500 lbs Max Load Capacity】Constructed of the sturdy and rustproof metal frame, this hitch mount wheelchair carrier comes with 500 lbs strong loading capacity, allowing you to load different...
- 【Cargo Carrier or Wheelchair Carrier】Designed with 29.5" x 50" loading ramp, the cargo carrier can be widely used for carring cargo but also mobility scooter or wheelchair.
- 【2 Straps & Stabilizer】This hitch mount scooter carrier includes an anti-rattle stabilizer, which effectively reduces noise and wobble during driving. Moreover, the 2 tie-down straps firmly fix...
The Goplus carrier is the most interesting alternative because it also solves a lifting problem, but with a different mechanism for a different purpose. Instead of a winch and platform, it uses a long ramp to load wheeled items like mobility scooters and wheelchairs. It’s an excellent solution for its specific niche, providing independence for users with mobility challenges. One would choose the Goplus carrier if their primary need is to transport a heavy, wheeled device. It would be impractical for loading a deer or a generator, just as the SWIVELIFT would be a poor choice for loading a scooter. This highlights the importance of matching the tool to the specific job at hand.
Final Verdict: A Brilliant Idea Hampered by Flawed Execution
The Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist is a product we desperately want to love without reservation. The concept is brilliant, and for a specific user with a compatible vehicle, it is an indispensable, back-saving tool that enables independence and safety. When it works, it transforms a daunting two-person job into a manageable one-person task, and for that, it deserves high praise. It successfully lifts heavy game, equipment, and other burdensome loads with relative ease.
However, the path to that success is littered with frustrating flaws. The abysmal packaging, the needlessly difficult winch assembly, and the nerve-wracking uncontrolled lowering mechanism are significant drawbacks. But the most critical flaw is its incompatibility with a large segment of its target market: owners of modern, high-clearance trucks. This isn’t a small quirk; it’s a fundamental design limitation that makes the product unusable for many without aftermarket modifications.
Our recommendation comes with a strong caveat. We would recommend the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist to hunters, farmers, and handymen who own standard-height or older trucks, and who are willing to overlook some assembly headaches and potentially add a plywood deck for better performance. If you fit this description, it can be an invaluable addition to your gear. If you own a newer HD or 4×4 truck, we urge you to measure carefully and proceed with caution. For those looking for a perfect, out-of-the-box solution, this likely isn’t it.
If you’ve decided the Viking Solutions SWIVELIFT Hitch Game Hoist is the right fit for your needs and your vehicle, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API