Cover ValetNP509 Spa Cover Lift and Caddy,Black

Our swim spa is 13 feet, the lid folds two different directions and is very heavy. Before I got the lift, I could not barely get the lid on the swim spa by myself. Now with a lift, I can. Our lid was so fat. I had to get extensions so it could hold the folded over lid and ease it down.

Bought the first one in 2016 and it still works.After 8 years I decided to get a new one since I had to get a new cover. The new cover is thicker and the lifter comes with extensions to handle the new cover.After looking at many other designs I liked this one since the plate sits under the hot tub, no drilling needed.Also you can see in my last 2 pictures it doesn’t obstruct any views.Before this lifter I used to take it off manually which I believe ruined the other covers.Simple design and great value for the money.Just go slow while using it and it will last.

Mounting took a good 3 hours!I have a Caldera Ravello spa. The Cover Cady requires 4 screws into the spa in order to stabilize it. With the under spa plate mount alone the spa cover and cady weight causes it to lean too far away from the tub. So to put screws into a spa you better know what you are screwing to. I called for a schematic from Watkins but none exists. It was possible to remove the side panel though (a little tricky)) which allowed me to find structural supports that I could screw into. Unfortunately, the Cady screw holes did not match the spa supports. I had to install two pieces of wood into the spa supports from the outside of the spa and then screw the Cady into the wood.I found these instructions while writing this review. Unfortunately it did not come with the installation instructions included in the box. To locate these instructions google CoverCaddy.pdf7. Mount the Main Unit (ccAA) through the spa cabinet to the support beams using all 8 lag screws.If you cannot locate, or if no support beams exist, mount a pair of support beams to the outside of thecabinet and then mount the Main Unit (ccAA) to them.** Failure to mount the Main Unit (ccAA) to support beams may cause damage to your CoverCaddy, spa, and/or spa cover and will void all warranties.**

I installed the product by cutting a slot in the bottom of the hot tub frame and sliding the spa lift into the slot.I then split a 2x4 and added it vertically to the side of the tub for more support for the lift bracket. The bracket fits tight to the frame and my cover slides easily into the U brackets and with light pressure folds down and away from the tub. Lifting the cover is again light upward pressure on the bracket then simply slide the cover back over the spa.Would certainly recommend the product.

I positioned my hot tub next to my deck, and couldn’t use a standard lift cover. After a few months of manually lifting to remove and reset the cover, I started to not even want to use the tub because of it (especially getting into the cold moths). I came across this cover on Amazon and thought it should work. It does! I can open half the cover from my deck, as I always did, get in the tub and push the cover onto the cover assist. With a little pressure the hydrologic arm keeps the cover resting alongside the tub. When it’s time to get out, just a little pressure and the hydrologic arm springs the cover up and I can pull it over the tub. The main benefit for me is that the cover can be removed and reset while in the tub, which is necessary for the layout of my tub to my deck. I’ve only had it for a couple weeks so I can’t speak to the longevity.One slight issue that I had is I poured a concrete pad specifically for my hot tub. Meaning I only have a couple inches on each side of the concrete. The plate of this unit, which sits under the tub, needs about five inches outside the tub. I dug out the ground and put a brick under this small section. If needed I can pour a small amount of concrete under, but we’ll see how long my temporary fix lasts. I could have screwed the frame of this unit into my hot tub (which the directions says to do) but I didn’t want to drill into my tub.

This thing is amazing, and I say that without hyperbole. Easy enough to install, I used a breaker bar and a paver stone to leverage the tub up, doesn't need much space. The first time you try it, it feels like "no way, it can't be that easy" but it truly is that easy.One piece of advice, before you install take it somewhere you don't care about the ground and give a good helping of WD-40. It worked great for the first couple weeks until the metal on metal of rotating the "hooks" got sticky. Some WD-40 and now it glides like butter.Bottom line, this requires no mounting, no holes, is held in place by weight of the hot tub, and makes removing and replacing the cover a breeze. Absolutely one of the best hot tub accessories I've ever purchased, hands down.

I like that this is installed without having to screw on directly to the hot tub though I did have to make modifications since I didn't want to empty my tub. Also the opening ws was too narrow for my extra thick tapered cover so I needed to bend the top bars to create a wider opening. I tend to leave the arms in place ready to receive the cover. Rather than opening from the side, I have it set up so i can step on to the spa steps, open the cover away from me halfway, enter the hot tub, push the cover back and pivot it down. Closing is similar though I do get out before closing the cover all the way. The pivoting is effortless with the hydrolic arm. In my case the cover lifter is mostly unseen whereas many other cover lifters have parts exposed and imo can detract from the appearance of the hot tub to some degree. I feel i could have paid less from other sellers but was in a rush.