Simple DIY Camper Shell Storage

I needed a way to store my camper shell when not in use, but I couldn't use the same storage rack as I used for the rooftop tent because the studs are too far apart. So I came up with this super simple method with some eye bolts and straps. Everything I used is linked below. Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!
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[@billday8501]

On another video the guy used four 2x4 blocks that fit in the ‘channel’ of the fiberglass, so that the weight of the shell rested on the block and not the outside edge (only). Not sure if your 2x4 will damage the shell, but it does give a better support imo. Thanks for taking the time to post - good tips and help as I do my own. 👍🏻

[@dollazNzentz]

Seems like a very inexpensive and smart way to go about this. I’ve seen some people do it with chains but the motorcycle straps makes more sense to me. I’ll keep this in mind when it’s time to take the topper off. Thanks for the video!

[@66tdarren]

Dude ! Awesome! You win the best idea of the day Award !

[@99shadows66]

The strap locking mechanisms are up at the ceiling, show us how you let the cap back down. I would have put the strap locks at the bottom where I can reach them without using a ladder.

[@LilBearBBQ]

Boom. My first thought.

[@paulb3862]

Nice job Braxen. Just a tip. If you put a second nut on the bolt and tighten it against the first one and they will stay where you pout them. Do that near the end of the bolt and you won't have that sticking down and scratching your paint. Still, excellent simple system you made.

[@SilkLotus]

Simple and effective, love it

[@judson714]

Thanks for the idea! Went out and grabbed the materials today and had it dine in a few hours. I ended up using a padding and wrapped it around the 2x4’s. It worked well. Cheers!

[@jimmybelue9658]

I made basically the same thing a few years back using 2x4s but instead of straps I used two bicycle lift hoist systems. One for the front and one on the back. Works great but you have to keep leveling the camper top as you go up or down. Used rubber mesh on top of the 2x4s to keep it from sliding.

[@scottholder4489]

Did this today...by myself... it worked great! Thanks!

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Glad it worked out! Pretty simple set up for a quick solution

[@henryclaussen7357]

Just completed this setup. I made a couple changes; I use a length of chain so that I could actually reach the cam buckle without having to go on a ladder, and the other thing I did was add a extra ratchet strap to go all the way around and to separate hooks in the ceiling since I’m parking my Mustang underneath it I wanted to be extra secure.

[@KyleJPilot]

I've been thinking about this for a while... this was exactly what I was imagining with the 2x4s and straps then putting them under the cap by standing in the bed of the truck and lifting with your back! All that to say, it's good to see it actually being done so I know I'm on the right track! Thanks for the video!

[@nathanday2595]

Great idea, great execution. Well done.

[@jimihendrix8535]

That is exactly how I am going to do it. I see a lot of videos with cables running different directions, pulleys, motors, kits that cost a lot of money, etc. Way too complicated. You could also have non-adjustable cables with the same hooks preset at the upper limit and hook those on when it is raised to the top if you are worried about the straps slipping. I am also going to screw a 4 x 8 piece of foam insulation board to the ceiling so the topper can rest against it without scratching the topper. Just ordered my topper today. Cannot wait to get this set up in place.

[@Livinginthewoods24]

Yeah just put the put the lumbers outside and just drive into the garage and will be perfect 👍🏼 Good job

[@BB-zc4gq]

I would like to see a vid of you putting it back on and realsing the tension on the straps. Seems to me that that process would require 2 people for sure.

[@stevesalcido5135]

Nice idea! Besides shortening the bolts, you may want to put some plastic caps on the last of the threads. Looking forward to your next video

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Thanks Steve! I was actually thinking the same thing about the caps. I’ll have to see if I can track some down

[@stevesalcido5135]

@@BraxenMcConnell look at your local hardware, they usually have a specialty hardware section. We have Lowes and Home Depot.

[@001dman]

hmmm simple solution i may have to use.. Should be easier on mine too, just use the roof rack on the topper to hold the topper up. suckers 8 ft long though. wonder if i have enough space between the i beams.

[@VCR1117]

Been having this idea I knew someone else had done it too. Although I’m not sure how well the house 2x4 will hold over time, as if the weight will bend it over time. I want to do it but install a long 2x4 standing for support. At each corner and bolt them to a square that connects them all.

[@ChickenJewel]

Thanks this saved me a few hundred dollars buying a system

[@wilgoo55]

any thought to adding a length of rubber hose on the lag bolt ends ( to help to mitigate those nasty scratches as you raise the canopy)

[@user-hd8ej8yx9p]

or just cutting off the excess

[@jimoconnor7491]

This was just the idea I needed. Worked great!

[@wdwilson397]

How do you cinch and/or release the straps...by ladder? Nice system

[@eddiesabori5167]

Definitely you give me a good idea...not the same application but it will work. Thanks

[@cameron6783]

Thanks man! I love my trucks camper shell but it'd be nice to lift it off in a quick and easy manner. Thanks to your idea I can!

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Love that! That’s for watching man!

[@mango4064]

Nice!!

[@jroson1702]

Excellent

[@michaelmonahan28]

I love you idea, but how do the straps lock in place once you have the cap raised?

[@chetbarney6635]

Are the 2x4s going to crush the little lip on the bottom of your shell?

[@shmelliot]

Hey Braxen - do you still use this set up for your shell? Any issues? Anything you would do different?

[@David_Moss]

Flips yer straps over and gain a 2-to-1mechanical advantage while lifting. Plus easy access to cam without ladder.

[@muckerpie]

you can use another nut, to tighten down that first nut, so it doesn’t loosen.

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Good call! Thanks!

[@pieterreitsma00]

Awesome paln definitely going this route, will just go with ratchets with the release at be bottom. I imagine you struggled lowering your shell?

[@johntollen9865]

That's what I was wondering. How do you lower it down ?

[@yliu4093]

Thanks great work. I just worry if you will fall down in case then it becomes a hazard to people. What do you think?

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Yeah, that could be a risk. I put a few extra hooks in the ceiling as braces, just in case that happened. So hopefully it doesn’t haha

[@mayers19851ify]

I’d like to see how well it comes down...

[@WRAPLOCK]

slip rubber hose over the 4 eye bolts threads to keep from scratching the paint!

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Done 👍🏼

[@jeremyray7869]

I was thinkin add one more nut to the ibolts n they shouldnt back out

[@kiwisaner1]

What time of straps did you use?

[@rickjames5834]

Great job my man but I use hooks on top of mine so it's easier to set down and also used as the tide on spot

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Thanks man! Eventually I will put a track system up top and I’ll do the same as you, but I don’t have the tracks in yet so that will have to work for now haha

[@AndrewIrizarry]

I heard using the rack on top will pull the mounts out since it's not designed for a lifted load, only a settled load.

[@davekuebler8782]

Put some poly tube over the threads of the eye bolts to protect against scratching you truck.

[@ashtonwhitcomb3217]

Get some pulleys to run cable down to a crank winch. This setup is likely to result in your truck or cap getting damaged at some point

[@michaeloloughlinsr.7809]

Good job. Did you shop camper shells leers vs snug top? How about campers and rack system how much are they compared and good vs bad for each system ? Mahalo from the big island 🌴

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Not really, I just kept an eye out for a good deal and I found one on a Leer. But I knew both leer and snugtop were great brands. I think it depends on what you’re doing with it. I’ve used both shells and rack systems and like both. But I think the shell gives me a bit more of an incognito camping solution than the rack does. But the rack and RTT look way cool and have more space, just not able to securely store stuff in the bed like you can a shell. Just depends on what you’re looking for.

[@f150bft]

How are you going to get it down?

[@nicogonz5756]

Hi. What type of anchor support are used so that the camper shell is firm to the pickup ???

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Just a couple eyelets that screw into the studs. There are 4 currently, but I’ll probably add 4 more as a safety

[@SPMOHED]

"I LOVE YOUR IDEAS."

[@Sashi2003]

If you mount the camping box on top of the shell, can 4 - 5 people sleep comfortably in the truck? Just something i was curious about🤔

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Yeah I think so! I’ve been thinking about putting a rail mount system on top of the shell so that I could put the tent up there. You read my mind haha!

[@Sashi2003]

@@BraxenMcConnell Haha lol.. But do you think the shell can take the weight of the camping trunk as well as the weight of adults?

[@BraxenMcConnell]

I’m still working that out, most of the shells say they have a working load of about 200lbs, but that’s 200lbs while driving (I think). So I’m trying to figure out if I need to reinforce the shell or not.

[@Sashi2003]

It'd look super cool and be very useful as well if it works out! Can't wait to see what you do with it 👊

[@InjectMusic]

Is this still holding strong?

[@eventhorizon1855]

What about ratchet straps?

[@stufoo]

Hmm. Step one. Buy a house with a garage. Lol I will use this in the future though.

[@goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe9644]

Next Video; How to make a drywall repair when you forget to take the trailer hitch off. Bwahaha

[@ejhayes76]

Been there, done that lol

[@condogwow]

Braxen??? These names are getting wild

[@Jringo1776]

Everyone talking crap is over thinking it. It's obvious he isn't planning to jack it all the way up to the ceiling.

[@conormalone3239]

That amazed me on how u thought of that 😂 and if u had stuff in there ( truck build stuff like shelf) that would add weight and could be more difficult to lift or work around so how u gonna lift the shell up 😂🤔

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Haha thanks! I think I’d build the shelving and stuff in a way that would slide into the bottom of the bed, so it won’t be attached to the shell. But if I add more weight with a rack or something, I could hook up a pully system and use a hand crank or something.

[@conormalone3239]

@@BraxenMcConnell ok thank god u got something to counter it 😂 as I was watching the vid I kept thinking wait there's gonna be a lot of weight it's gonna look weird with shelves coming down and u could scratch the truck 😂 well Braxen I gotta hand it to u ur always a step ahead 😂👍👏👏

[@kennymitt]

How do you let it back down onto the truck? Would think it would be tough with the ratchet straps unless they have reverse?

[@BraxenMcConnell]

If it’s not on the truck then it’s usually just hanging a few inches above the bed. So I can just lower each strap an inch or two at a time and it’s on in about 5 min

[@kevenchristopherson674]

@@BraxenMcConnell Just hang the straps the other way around so the rachets are at the bottom instead of the top.

[@fernandodelacruz5056]

Why did you remove the tow mirrors?

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Ooo nice catch haha! One of them actually broke, so I put the stock ones back on until I get a new one to replace the broken one.

[@fernandodelacruz5056]

Braxen McConnell oh ok bro, so bad that happened, hope you get a new one soon because it look so dope with the tow mirrors 👌🏻 everything you've done to the truck looks good

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Thanks man! I appreciate it!

[@johndowney6691]

The problem is the garage roof trusses are designed to hold the roof and the ceiling. They are not designed to be loaded with other stuff. You are over stressing the roof trusses.

[@sgorman9523]

It’s no more than 200lbs he will be fine. People hang stuff in there rafters all the time. And bikes too

[@brianchisnell1548]

The outer lip water flashing should not have weight on it.

[@jorgeespinoza7610]

show how you get it back down...hmmm...

[@SPMOHED]

That is genius

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Thanks man!

[@SPMOHED]

@@BraxenMcConnell can you subscribe me

[@arturogonzalez250]

GOOD JOB, TANKS FOR THE VIDEO! (ADD SOME LOCK NUTS THAT WAY YOU NONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THOES NUTS

[@hillarylevenworth8824]

Paint that garage!

[@AwesomeShows]

Go buy a hoist for $100 @harbor freight. Make life simple for yourself.

[@AggiePhil]

Throw some paint up on those walls bruh

[@flagstaffbarn]

Poorly thought out design. Getting it down with the cam locks at the ceiling will be a major pain in the butt.

[@BraxenMcConnell]

Take about 10 min to get it on or off. Pretty easy in my opinion. I did switch the straps around so the lock is at the bottom tho.

[@scottyd980]

No way Carpenters put a board that long in the dumpster. You don't have to lie to have friends.

[@leeleeuruamo6560]

Talks to much