DIY Roof Top Tent Electric Winch Hoist - Cheap and Easy

[@danhenninger1]

Best one yet. I’m doing something very similar. You addressed most of my concerns. I need to use a single lifting point so I can “spin” my tent to get it up inside the roof trusses. Once up I’ll lay 2 bars across the rafters and lower it onto them. I want to leave my crossbars attached like you did. Excellent video, thanks so much 👍😉

[@jerrymestas1231]

Impressive self, I was just checking out my garage yesterday for our new tent. This seems to be the best and the easiest option that I've seen so far. Thank you for showing us us.

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks Jerry. It was pretty easy to install and cheaper than the other options out there that I could find. I just need to find a better way to rig the tent to the hoist hook so that the tent balances itself. - Geoff

[@waynechen7007]

I love the idea and it is not as complex as the other projects that I saw. Thank you!1

[@Colorado4x4]

👍👍👍

[@rogerwa123]

When you were hoisting yourself I thought this was going to be a darwin winner video ;-)

[@Colorado4x4]

Hahahah! I had to try it! Might as well use my body as an anvil right? 😝😝😝

[@wellssm]

Thanks for the great video. Just installed same thing today for my tent. Winch price is now $120 at harbor freight. Still total cost for supplies was under $200 and only took about 2-3 hours to install thanks to the video.

[@Colorado4x4]

You’re welcome! I’m glad that it was able to help! - Geoff

[@brianquillin9434]

Thanks for posting this! I installed a similar hoist in my garage yesterday and will be getting my FreeSpirit Evolution tent tomorrow. I also have the RhinoRack Backbone with quick release legs so your video is exactly what I needed! Thanks again. New Subscriber.

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks Brian! Nice! We love our Freespirit tent. It’s really nice and keeps everyone comfortable when we go on trips. The Backbone system is really nice too. The hardest part for me was balancing the tent while hoisting it up, but I’ve kind of figured it out now just by shortening the ratchet straps on the side that is sagging the lowest. It works pretty slick. Thanks for subscribing. - Geoff

[@alvincrain]

@@Colorado4x4 is it okay just to leave the RTT hanging on the hoist?

[@alvincrain]

is it okay just to leave the RTT hanging on the hoist?

[@Colorado4x4]

I think so but I ended up putting two ratchet straps under it as an added safety measure. It just takes another couple minutes to secure it with the ratchet strap. My tent is 182 lbs and it would severely hurt someone if it fell on them. - Geoff

[@TravelRunnerWA]

Thanks for posting this. I'm about to build the same set up and my garage is unfinished at the moment, so easy to find the studs to bolt into.

[@Colorado4x4]

That makes it easy!

[@aznhomig]

Brilliant. Will be using this method to get a rooftop tent and rack stowed away when not in use. Especially as a one-man job so you don't need to call a friend over to get a RTT on top of your car. Your back will also thank you.

[@Colorado4x4]

It works pretty good!

[@aznhomig]

@@Colorado4x4 If you don't mind answering, what's the distance gap between the roof of your garage and the top of the rooftop tent when it's stowed away? Looks like there's at least a foot or more of clearance that will have to be accounted for since the hoist and the hook can only go up so high before it's topped out.

[@Colorado4x4]

@Syntax Error I wish I could go out and measure for you but we moved to a new house a couple of months ago and I haven’t installed the hoist here yet. The winch is maybe 8” tall and then the winch hook is 3” or 4” tall.

[@leviennis1274]

Wow! Not only is that brilliant, it is cool as can be! Well done, brough! Keep the amazing content coming! I am a groupie for sure!

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks Levi! I can’t wait to see some of your awesome woodworking videos 👍🏻

[@pjsoriano7655]

Really like this idea and I basically have the same amount of room in my garage hoping to hold my bed rack and RTT combined weight of 230lbs

[@Colorado4x4]

Nice. It should work! Just make sure you get good anchors into studs.

[@outlaw9232]

It’s a pretty great system that does not cost a lot of money. Great job Geoff!

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks John! I just couldn’t believe how much the manual hoisting systems cost. This winch is $100 and you can’t beat that with a stick! DIY is the way to go.

[@OverlandPNW]

Cool hoist but the bow and antlers kept getting my attention! Wow...nice rack! Anyway, I did a similar RTT mount and love it. I often take a kayak out and need to have the RTT off. Cool video. Cheers!

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks! He’s not a bad little buck. I think this is the best hoist for a roof top tent for sure! Good to hear from you again

[@T4CTIC4L_G4M3R]

Great video! I followed it almost exactly. Only exception is I leave my roof rack on year round so I cuz down the 10’ SUPERSTRUT into 5’ sections and use eyebolt through that to hoist it in a similar fashion to your roof rack. Great tutorial 👍🏼

[@Colorado4x4]

That’s perfect. Thanks Keishi! This was my first how to video so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Thanks for watching. - Geoff

[@Colorado4x4]

🔔🔔🔔UPDATE📣📣📣 My roof top tent has been hanging since this video. I timed myself and pulled it down today and attached to the Jeep. It took me 15 minutes from start to finish (pulling Jeep in garage, climbing up and removing ratchet straps, lowering tent, locking in roof rack rails, backing Jeep out of garage, done). Works like a charm! I did add the pulley to the winch (not shown in this video) as it slows the winch speed down and it can lift more with the pulley. I like the slower winch speed. - Geoff

[@mikelgeldedios5864]

Which kind a green strap did you use? I couldn’t find one at Home Depot or Lowe’s ?

[@Colorado4x4]

www.lowes.com/pd/SmartStraps-4-Pack-1-in-x-10-ft-Ratchet-Tie-Down-300-lbs-Work-Capacity/3740749 I used these but I think any strap that is rated for the load will be fine. These are 300 lb load capacity and the tent weighs 182 lbs

[@derek7652]

Appreciate the vid & feedback. I’ve reached the same conclusion & prepping garage to go this route with my jku and FSR odyssey - Also in CRock! 👊

[@Colorado4x4]

Hey Derek! That’s awesome that you are in Castle Rock too! Maybe we can hit a trail sometime! I ended up just buying a little Offroad trailer project that I’m working on and will put the tent on there. The hoist works great. Biggest problem will be how to rig your tent so it’s balanced when hoisting. - Geoff

[@derek7652]

@@Colorado4x4 very nice! Yes def down to wheel whenever & appreciate that feedback on the balancing - that’s what I’m working on now prior to installing ratchets…needed a break haha.

[@ricktaylor1860]

Perfect dude! I stalling mine today. Thanks for the vid.

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍🏻

[@snart87]

Thanks for the easy to follow video!

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@jly4430]

I’m going to try this tomorrow! Awesome vid!

[@Colorado4x4]

Great! Thanks for the compliment. It’s really my first how to video 😂

[@alvincrain]

Of all the videos I just watched, yours seemed to be the most logical. One question, I also use the roof rack rails for a Thule Cargo carrier. That being said, what would you suggest if I'm gonna leave the rails on the car?

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks! Hmm. I would probably wrap two straps under it as a cradle and then connect them to the hoist hook. The problem is that the cradle straps are going to want to pull to the center directly under the hook, so you will have to secure them somehow to the cargo carrier. Unless if the cargo carrier has some sort of attachment points on it?

[@darinhodge8015]

Good job mate

[@EBLovesMusic]

I just have to comment. When you test the winch the first time by using your own body weight had me laughing. It's exactly what I would have done except I would be icing my back for the next 3 weeks.

[@Colorado4x4]

Hahahaha. I had to do it! 😂 I kind of figured that I was going to hurt myself so at least I was prepared for that! - Geoff

[@soniakirchharr5450]

Great video. I’ve decided to use your idea with a few tweaks. How is lift holding up so far?

[@Colorado4x4]

@@soniakirchharr5450 thanks! It was holding up great with no issues at all. I moved houses and haven’t reinstalled the lift because I just leave my tent on a trailer now. At this point, I might install it a little differently so that it would keep the tent level when winching but other than that, it was great! - Geoff

[@coreywells3911]

What are you using to connect the tent to the hoist? Your tent seems way more stable than mine going up..

[@Colorado4x4]

I used ratchet straps to cradle the tent. And then attached a d ring to the winch hook. My was jankey going up and was tilting every which direction. But then I figured out that I could tighten a strap in a corner to get it more level. It takes some effort but now I have it mostly figured out. - Geoff

[@9g3series]

Can you show how and what kind of strap you using before hook up to the hoist string?

[@Colorado4x4]

I used ratchet straps that I ran under the tent. I had four of them and looped them around the ski rack crossbars (the crossbars were bolted to the bottom of the tent). Does your tent have any attachment points at the bottom corners? The ratchet straps allowed me to mostly level the tent when it was hanging. Honestly, the hardest part of getting it hoisted up was getting the tent level. I wish I could show you a picture but my tent is attached to my Offroad trailer now. We’re supposed to move into a new house in a couple of months and I might try to set up some sort of pulley system that has 4 lines, one for each corner. - Geoff

[@9g3series]

@@Colorado4x4 Well, I still wondering how you join those 4 ratchet straps to the hoist hook though.

[@Colorado4x4]

I put a large d ring and attached it to the winch hook. I then attached the ratchet strap s hooks to the d ring

[@9g3series]

@@Colorado4x4 It would be my great appreciation if you could give me a link of that d ring that I can buy, thank you.

[@Colorado4x4]

Something like this www.amazon.com/Anndason-M8-Stainless-C1arabiner-1523LB/dp/B074M471DL/ref=asc_df_B074M471DL/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198090729295&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16109301598179968598&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028741&hvtargid=pla-360972834878&psc=1

[@mikehoffman3690]

Very nice job

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks Mike!

[@tpotnoc]

How many ceiling joists does your mount span? I'm guessing you're screwed to two of the trusses by the looks of the length?

[@Colorado4x4]

I mounted this to two separate trusses

[@deanwalker2403]

Can you please send me a link or name of your lift straps. The ones I have don't work as good as yours seem to. Thank you

[@Colorado4x4]

I used tie down straps like these. One at each corner of the ski rack cross bar and then attached them to a D ring/carabiner and then attached the carabiner to the winch hook www.amazon.com/CARTMAN-Lashing-Straps-600lbs-Carry/dp/B017902W8G/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3UDD8UTJTXKXR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CocKIYzvQXhvjOfRpzBca7SubSHeFjF8vadmSJe8rsFmHePhp6GH7FNlol_PZw94FONsNbQ5-bYdJ-ijFxxYlnAhXOSTul6Q3WpVVUdmUqujhZMb3rxCcU3RaeVmEx5ax-I9X4UXOkgll5m04mrzSgv6hqUHzpqifYWupjoZXPMCPbcv0s7R1DAhRYgZXLjlUjWZ-suYyZO61TqDvA54rQ.ZXZZMA44I03EZcKfq6oH5ldu1MTqg3RJd-cMzGZO8So&dib_tag=se&keywords=tie+down+straps&qid=1736191669&sprefix=tie+down%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-3

[@aaronshamp5378]

Do you think the hoist would hold the tent for a long period of time?

[@Colorado4x4]

Aaron, I don’t know. You can probably find the owners manual in PDF form online and see what it recommends. I wanted to add backup straps just because my tent would be hung for long term winter storage and it weighs about 180 lbs and people and kids were walking under it in the garage and I didn’t want it to fall and kill someone. - Geoff

[@aaronshamp5378]

@@Colorado4x4 ok so just adding the straps is just a added safety feature

[@Colorado4x4]

@@aaronshamp5378 yes

[@Colorado4x4]

@@aaronshamp5378 a belt and suspenders approach! 😃

[@sergiocorral6753]

What kind of roof rack do you have?

[@Colorado4x4]

One of the Rhino Rack Backbone systems

[@moodATM]

Hello, what’s the distance from the bottom of your tent to the ceiling? I’m trying to see if this will clear my garage door lol.

[@Colorado4x4]

I wish I could measure it for you but we moved houses. The height of the winch is maybe 8”? And then my tent is probably 18” or so.

[@moodATM]

@@Colorado4x4 Thank you I appreciate it man! :)

[@Colorado4x4]

@@moodATM yea man you bet! I would just measure your tent height and then add the winch height. It sucks because the winch still hangs down a little bit because of the hook so that adds some height

[@lorrainestorm4637]

If I mount my strut with three 3/8" lag bolts across three beams, will that be a high enough weight capacity to lift and hold the tent? I"m worried it will pull through the bolt teeth over time and fall out of the wood. I have the smaller FSR RTT so it weighs 151 lbs.

[@Colorado4x4]

My tent weighs 183 lbs. Just look up some specs online, but mostly they say that a 3/8” lag bolt has a withdrawal capacity of about 300 pounds force per inch of lag bolt. So a 3” lag bolt can hold around 900 lbs force before being pulled out of a stud. Also it depends on your installation so make sure you are centered in the stud and drill the correct sized pilot hole for your lag bolt diameter. I ended up adding two ratchet straps as a belts and suspenders approach because I don’t want the tent falling on anyone! Hope this helps. - Geoff

[@lorrainestorm4637]

@@Colorado4x4 That's very helpful, thank you!

[@Colorado4x4]

Good deal

[@12gage37]

im gona do that with my portable shanty , i like that better than a weeb of rope and pulleys👍

[@Colorado4x4]

I would! It’s easy to install and the price was right for me! - Geoff

[@gregoryhare3652]

How’s the lift doing now?

[@Colorado4x4]

Still great! No complaints at all. I’ve gotten better with rigging up the tent with ratchet straps. I’ve only used it a handful of times really but no issues at all! It works great! - Geoff

[@ryobiguydiy]

What’s your ceiling height? I’m trying to do the same thing but for a large fishing kayak.

[@Colorado4x4]

Garage door is 8’ tall and the ceiling height is 13.5’. It would be perfect for a kayak

[@ryobiguydiy]

@@Colorado4x4 Thanks, man. My ceiling is only 9ft, so I’m hoping I can clear the garage door.😬

[@Colorado4x4]

No problem! Happy to help. You might be able to make it clear. I thought about another idea, you can put a small pulley in the ceiling and then mount the winch on the wall and pull it up that way. I thought about doing that for this tent so the controller would be on the wall, then the line would go up through two pulleys (one in the corner on the ceiling and one over the tent). I don’t know, I may try it that way when I move into my new house this fall. Let me know how it goes! - Geoff

[@robertalbino3502]

Can you help me install this in my garage too? Im in the denver metro area

[@Colorado4x4]

Robert, I’m not sure. Depends on my work schedule and what is going on. Where are you located?

[@robertalbino3502]

@@Colorado4x4 i’m in aurora near Green Valley Ranch. Can provide beer and food if that helps lol

[@Colorado4x4]

LOL. Man I will have to see

[@mattt8443]

Love this set up… I’m going to do the same thing this weekend. Did you just use 2 green straps and run them through the eye of the winch? And the secure it to the ceiling with the ratchet straps?

[@Colorado4x4]

It’s pretty sweet and cheap! Yep. I used the green ratchet straps and ran them under the tent and hooked onto the winch hook. Once I got it hoisted to the ceiling, I just ran two extra ratchet straps under it that are connected to the other d rings. Works pretty slick. Just a warning about when you first winch it up, it will probably not be balanced! That was the biggest pain for me because the tent isn’t balanced. Other than that it worked great. - Geoff

[@tolaputaviaigual]

Hey jeff, are the crossbars enough for the tent without compromising the Fibre hardtop structure??

[@Colorado4x4]

Hey David, so my Jeep has the Rhino Rack Backbone system installed (was there when I bought it). I doubt that the factory hard top with cross bars will be strong enough, but I guess it depends on how many people and how heavy the tent is. My tent is super heavy! And we have 2 adults and 2 kids in there when we go camping - Geoff

[@tolaputaviaigual]

@@Colorado4x4 hey many thanks for quick reply. I am looking into the same, 2 kids and my lady. It seems that the rhino is a good solution but bloody expensive in Spain. Thanks a lot !!

[@Colorado4x4]

You bet! The backbone system is expensive here! I can’t imagine what it would cost there. I will tell you that it seems like a good system. It was already installed in my Jeep when I bought it but I haven’t any issues with it at all. That tent I have weighs 182 pounds + me at 175 lbs plus 140 pound wife plus a 9 and a 7 year old and a 30 pound dog 🐶. 😂😂❤️

[@garyjennings5795]

That is one tall garage ceiling.

[@Colorado4x4]

It’s so tall!!! I just wish that my garage door was a foot taller. - Geoff

[@lingcolemag]

@@Colorado4x4 I have the same problem, can barely clear the rig under it with tent on.

[@tomkelly3896]

Never showed us where how the winch grabbed straps🤡🤡

[@Colorado4x4]

Sorry. I just took a d-ring and connected it to the winch hook. And then connected the ratchet straps to the d ring

[@UncleFjester]

Roof top tents suck! too expensive, can't stand up, ladders, But Hey! You look tough in the carpool lane picking up kids! Get a ground top tent and be done with that trendy 🐂💩

[@Colorado4x4]

Hahaha. Good points! There’s definitely positives and negatives to all of them. I own 3 ground tents and all of them are great! I will say that I sleep (my wife and kids too) way better in the roof top tent because of the mattress. I agree with looking like the Overlander with the roof top tent. You got to put those orange traction boards on there too to really look the part! The other great option we have is the outfitter wall tent with the wood stove and cots, but it takes so much space to haul it around. I did get a DIY trailer to drag behind the Jeep and I put the tent on that and it has been working out great. We just find a good camping spot in Moab and set up base camp and then go wheel!!!

[@Purplebottom]

How about you do you? RTT isn’t too expensive for me 😎