General Guidelines:

• Wear protective gloves and appropriate safety glasses when assembling the dock system.
• Inspect all parts to ensure the appropriate number of dock frames, hardware, legs, foot pads / wheels, and decking panels before assembly.
• Assemble dock system on flat level ground on shore for safety and ease of assembly. Do not assemble dock system in the water.
• Always have a helper to assemble dock system. We recommend a minimum of two people during assembly and installation.
• Measure your water depth prior to assembly to allow for approximate leg post heights during assembly / prior to dock installation.

Tools Required:  9/16” Wrench, ½” Wrench, ¾” wrench, ¾” Socket, Level, Jigsaw (for notching panels)

PARTS LIST:

Aluminum Truss Dock Frames:  4 x 16 Welded Truss Frame, 4 x 8 Welded Truss Frame, 4 x 8 Ramp Frame (Optional)
Dock Leg Components: 2” x 2” Aluminum Leg Posts, Foot Pads, 7’ Aluminum Uprights, Poly Tires, 2” Galvanized /ySteel Axle (4’ for straight dock, 8’ for L Section), Shore End Wheel Kit (Optional), Shore End Starter Kit (Optional)
Decking: 4’ x 4’ Tan Titan Decking
Bolt Bag / Hardware:  Varies depending on sections purchased and desired layout.

For these assembly instructions we are building a 32’ dock with an 8’L
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Step 2.
​Lift connected frames onto their side and insert the round leg uprights into the leg pockets within the frame. They will be the larger pockets approximately 4’ back from the front edge of the dock frame. Make sure the axle pockets welded to the bottom of the upright are at the bottom / will be underneath the dock once installed. Once both legs are at the approximate desired height for water depth, and the axle pockets are lined up to allow the axle to slide through, you can tighten the uprights in the leg pockets using the set bolts (1/2” square head nut with brass square nuts).

Step 3.
​You can now install the axle through the axle pockets at the bottom of the uprights. If you are building a straight dock (4’ wide), the axle will be approximately 6’ long with enough length to allow you to place the dock wheels to the outside edge of the dock (outside of the uprights). If you are building and 8’ L dock, the axle will be approximately 8’ long with enough length to just extend past the axle pockets at the bottom of the uprights, with the wheels underneath the dock frame (to the inside of the uprights). 

Step 4.
When installing the wheels onto the axle, ensure that the “nub” on the side of the wheel faces out when creating an 8’L dock. When building a straight / 4’ wide dock, the “nub” on the wheel should face in. Install large rings on both sides of each tire, and use the hex bolts and nuts inserted through the pre-drilled holes in the axle to hold the wheels in position. 

Step 5.
Now you can tip the dock back over so that it is resting on its wheels. We recommend having another person help during this step. If you are building a 4’ wide / straight dock, you won’t need the chain stabilizers for your dock system. If you are building an 8’L dock layout, you can now install the stabilizer chains from the axle to the stabilizer chain plate on the dock frame. Attach the last link of one end of the chain through the bolt and insert into the pre-drilled hole in the axle. Then run the chain across and up to the other side of the dock system to the chain stabilizer plate and pull chain through until it is tight. Wrap the remaining chain around the dock frame to keep it out of the way. Next, install the second chain in the same way on the other side of the dock.

Step 6.
Now we will assemble the “add on” dock frame before connecting it to the 16’ Lake and with 8’L. Insert the set bolts (1/2” square head bolts and square brass nuts) into the-add on leg pockets located about 2’ back from the front of the dock frame. Then slide the 2” x 2” leg posts into the add-on leg pockets to the approximate desired height, and tights the set bolts. Then slide the foot pads onto the bottom of the leg posts and tighten the square head bolts and brass square nuts to secure them to the leg posts.

Step 7.
For most dock layouts the shore end of the dock frame can just rest on the shore. If adding a ramp, a starter leg kit can be added to the shore end of the dock frame.

Step 8.
Now you can connect the add-on frame to the lake end frame using the ½” x 1.5” Hex Bolts and ½” Brass nuts through the pre-drilled holes in the dock frame. There will be 4 nuts and bolts per frame to frame connection. 

Step 9.
After assembly and dock installation you can begin putting the 4’x4’ Tan Titan Decking panels onto the dock frames. Simply lay each titan decking panel into the top of the dock frame with the “Titan” logo facing so that it can be read as you walk back to shore. You will need to notch the Tan Titan decking panels at the locations where the dock leg posts extend through the dock frame. A jigsaw will cut through the Titan panels with ease.      

In the early days, docks were purchased or built mostly just to provide access to deep enough water to get to your boat.  Today, docks provide storage, comfort and an entertainment center at the lake.  They can be a place to draw friends and family to spend their time on the water without taking out the boat, a safe area for the children to play, and a comfortable space for the adults to hang out.  There are quite a few accessories for docks. The basic dock accessories are dock bumpers, dock stairs and seating, such as the dock furniture set available from Lake Area Docks & Lifts and manufactured by Homecrest. ​

Dock bumpers can provide a place to safely tie up your boat, or a visitor’s boat to the dock.  There are multiple types of dock bumpers for protecting boats.  The most practical bumper is the vertical bumper, which is mounted vertically on your dock, this not only provides protection for boats even when there are fluctuating water conditions and waves, they also provide a place to tie the boat without needing cleats.  In addition, the best vertical bumpers are ones that can be adjusted up or down to accommodate water fluctuations or different boat sizes.  Bumpers can also be mounted horizontally on the dock.  While they provide a longer area of protection the boat may not stay above the dock in waves or low water situations.  Also available are different types of dock edging but once again they can only protect the dock and boat when the water is calm, and the boat sits at or above the level of the dock. ​

Your dock can also be used to store items, like kayaks, paddle boards and floating pads.  Kayak racks can hold store multiple kayaks near the water but off the dock making it significantly more convenient to get on the water.  Paddle board racks can also be attached to the dock to store paddle board, a kayak rack can also work for paddle boards, but most models should be stored vertically to avoid warpage.  Some docks can also accommodate dock boxes where storage of items like toys, inflatables, skis, knee boards and life jackets can be stored, if your dock will not hold a dock box and you have a lift with a canopy you can get a lift loft for storage. ​

Now while you are spending so much time on the dock you will want to have easy access to the water or your boat.  Dock steps, Ladders, handrail and solar lights can help with that. ​

In the used boat lift market today, the most common types of boat lifts are vertical or cantilever.  Cantilever lifts pivot out and down while vertical lifts raise straight up and down.  Vertical lifts have become more common in the marketplace as they are more flexible in that they can operate in shallower water and have more lift height, giving you more flexibility when water levels change.  If you are in a shallow water lake the best choice for you is a vertical, if you are in a lake that has deeper water, 2-5 feet and the water does not fluctuate much, a cantilever lift may also work for you.  If you are in deep water 5’ or deeper, you will want to make sure the lift has long enough legs to accommodate or find the cost of longer lift legs. ​

After determining what size and kind of boat lift you need the most efficient way to begin your search is on the internet.  You will want to find a lift close to your lake place as they can be difficult and or expensive to transport over the road.  The best place to start looking for a used boat lift is at Dock and Lift Dealers near your lake place, starting with their web site to see if they have a lift that looks like it may meet your needs. For instance, you can search through the available used docks and lifts on the Lake Area Docks & Lifts website on the Used Equipment page. There are a few advantages to purchasing a used lift from a dealer. First, most reputable dock and lift dealers will back up what they sell to you, if the lift has some issue, you did not uncover, they typically will be able to help in the repair.  They can also move the lift to your lake and install it {keep in mind if the lift is 10’ wide or over you should have an oversize permit.  You can also find out what used lifts are available in the weight and the size you need, and what price used lifts are selling for in your area.  Other places to look would be sites like Craigs List, Facebook Marketplace, and any other site that provides local listings. ​

Carefully inspect the used boat lift, raise it up and down, check to be sure the winch runs well, and the cables are in good shape.  Check the framework of the lift to make sure welds are in good shape and it is sturdy.  Bring a tape measure to be sure the inside width is at least one foot wider than your boat and if there is a canopy it is 1-2 feet longer than your boat.  Other things to look far include making sure the nuts and bolts on the lift still turn, and that the lift legs can be adjusted.  If the lift does have a canopy cover, what shape is it in, and what would be the approximate cost to replace the cover be.  Does the boat lift have a motor, if so, is it battery powered or plug in does the motor work, is it a type of motor still being sold in case it needs service.   ​

When you find a dock you like, inspect closely the structure, are the welds holding up? or are they cracking.  This can be best seen where the docks connect together.  Are the dock legs long enough for your needs, do the adjustment still work? If not keep in mind you may have to purchase additional leg material, screw legs or bolts.  Can the dock be reconfigured to meet your needs.  The next item to look at closely is the decking, deck panels are the most expensive component of a dock.  If it has wood decking you will typically have to replace the wood in the near term, are you willing to do that and has it been factored into the price.  If it has a plastic decking or aluminum deck what condition is that in?  If not, how much will it cost to replace the decking? If the decking needs to be replaced soon you will likely be better off buying new.   ​