DIY Roof Top Tent Lift

Finally an easy, safe, one person way to handle a cumbersome roof top tent. We can now install and remove our roof top tent by ourselves in minutes.
I was asked for dimensions on the adapter, here you go...
2" X 2" Square tube, 18" length slides into the shop crane arm, and 29" extension after the bend, the bend is 30 degrees.
Check out the modification for heavier tents • DIY RTT Lift Modificat...

[@glenmelville7526]

Exactly what I was looking for. Your engineering is to be commended. Thank you and happy camping.

[@ShootingSportz]

Wow this is by far the best idea I have seen for someone who doesn't have space for a garage hoist and pulley system.

[@marktrollope3094]

Very well done, keep it simple, some good engineering and made your life so much easier. Thanks for sharing

[@paulrhodes2629]

Great concept, Ideal for the garages that dont have the head space. This should be made available in your local hire centre if you dont have the storage room to keep it. Very easy to put together.

[@Opawchicago1975]

Perfect!awesome job! this is the one that I'm looking for.thanks for sharing

[@shonkytonky]

The eternal issue of rtt removal. Solved !. Awesome idea !.

[@rhino2geaux]

I definitely need this! Great idea...might I suggest adding two lines at each corner of the tent closest to the lift. You can attach the lines to the vertical arm to help stop it from spinning so a second person isn't required.

[@alib2801]

Thanks for the great idea! Now I just need to find a metal worker to build one! Really well made video.

[@VoyagerOverland]

Thank you!

[@Kiwiadventurerandoverlander]

Thanks for sharing. Definitely need it as well.

[@karlmiller8689]

Thanks for sharing. Me: iKamper Skycamp Mini on 4Runner, this problem has been gnawing at me for a while. There are 3-4 good solutions I’m considering, but this might be the best one. Brilliant idea, solid execution. Well done.

[@VoyagerOverland]

Thank you for that 👍

[@HammerRocks]

Nice work. 👍

[@tokhang0079]

Very clever concept😮

[@PaulKing1970]

One word. Genius!

[@davidhillman1066]

Nice job!

[@americapride]

I had same system and been used it over 4 years for Ikamper RTT. Works great till now. For every camping trips, we install and remove RTT right away because I park my suv in side garage and don’t want to carry the RTT in town for no reason

[@VoyagerOverland]

Same here, makes it really convenient for drying the tent as well.

[@davidmerritt1114]

Great idea.

[@bigmofo4160]

Wow that’s exactly what I need. You have the Barricade roof rack as well. Wish you were my neighbor

[@VoyagerOverland]

I got that, good one 👍

[@am0363]

I just put a hitch a the end of a 2ton harbor freight hoist. HAUL-MASTER 6 in. Drop / 5 in. The harbor freight one goes higher than the manual says. Worked perfect!

[@VoyagerOverland]

That's a creative solution, what type of vehicle is your tent on?

[@audacious7]

Love your idea. I'm taking it. lol Depending how you are measuring the angle of bend. It can be 30 or 150 degrees. :)

[@linchpin6761]

very impressive!

[@MikeyB00o]

Thank you for sharing! This will make a great first playing with new welder simple job.

[@tristynfournier8548]

good job

[@michaladamek6055]

Perfect!!!!!❤

[@janolopez7436]

Brilliant 🍻

[@phong333nguyen]

Awesome

[@capnjackcanon]

I made a similar mod, but I didn't angle the add-on square tube, now you've got me thinking... time to dust off the welder...

[@robertsack257]

You should sell this. I have the exact same Jeep, Rack, similar tent (Roofnest). I would buy this in a heartbeat. I don't have access to a shop. Great idea!!! I wonder if I just extend the tube 3 feet, if that will give me the clearance to use the hoist without the bend.

[@VoyagerOverland]

I think it would tip over forward with that much sticking out at the front, needs the bend so you can keep the weight closer and lower 👍

[@robertsack257]

@@VoyagerOverland Thanks for getting back to me so fast. Like I said, I have the identical setup you have. How far down did you make the cut on the tube? Also, if you know the angle, that would save a lot of trial and error.

[@VoyagerOverland]

@@robertsack257 I put the dimensions in the description for you 👍

[@michaelkennedy9778]

Excellent ... I’m there ... have the crane and 4 foot extension ... so how many inches out for the bend ? And what angle is the bend? Thanks .

[@VoyagerOverland]

Measurements are in the description...

[@410Expedition]

well here we go, another trip to Princess Auto!! LOL!

[@VoyagerOverland]

My favorite Canuck store 😎

[@hailin8488]

I'm thinking the same thing! Thanks for share. may i ask do you have a 2 tone engine lifter or a one ton lifter? thanks

[@VoyagerOverland]

1 ton, either would work

[@ghingisoverland6932]

That’s perfect! Planning on using harbor freight engine hoist for exact same purpose. What are the dimensions? Thanks

[@VoyagerOverland]

Pretty simple really, 2" X 2" square tube, 4' long. Cut and bend as desired according to the vehicle you are work with. Let me know how it turns out 👍

[@rhynhardtmudde3337]

Do you think this would support a 230lb RTT to mount on a lifted 4runner? Thanks and great video

[@VoyagerOverland]

I think by adjusting the extension angle and maybe adding a counter weight at the back of the lift, this can work with any vehicle.

[@pngit1]

Mine is on a trailer so quite a bit lower. I think I can get away with a standard hoist. Great idea though

[@DSPVDO]

Like the build, just wondering if you are still using it and how it is holding up? any modifications ect.

[@VoyagerOverland]

I used it last weekend as a matter of fact and in the snow no less 👍 Works awesome, takes minutes to remove or install the tent.

[@DSPVDO]

We have a jeep JL with 2inch lift, Rhino rack rails, and a CVT tent, will your design give us enough clearance without maxing out the cylinder?

[@VoyagerOverland]

Wife's JKU is on a 4" lift and 33" wheels, depending on how high your engine crane goes and the angle of your adapter, I would say yes it would.

[@swang671]

Was anyone successful at making this using the Harbor Freight 1 Ton Foldable Shop Crane? It's less expensive than the Princess Auto, but I'm not sure if the 2x2 will fit the Harbor Freight crane.

[@spaseyota]

What thickness of metal tube did you use? 1/8”? Surely not 1/4” right?

[@VoyagerOverland]

Correct, 1/8"

[@DSPVDO]

What straps did you use? I have some 15 ft ratchet tiedown straps

[@VoyagerOverland]

I'm sure they would work 👍

[@dillon8388]

Where did you get that crane from? Whats the height of the stock crane fully extended?

[@VoyagerOverland]

Princess Auto. 88"

[@bigmofo4160]

How much would you charge to make a duplicate and transport it to Phoenix AZ

[@mishatraininginc.9367]

you are able to lower it veeery slowly using this lift when putting it back on the jeep?

[@VoyagerOverland]

Yes, very precise control

[@jimmy..9532]

Hi can i ask how long your bar is from the end of the crane manufacturers blue coloured jib i was going to make one however just have a one piece extension! Does that make sense? Or im i talking #$@!!

[@VoyagerOverland]

The black center square tube is 24". I think that is what you were asking...

[@misswiss278]

okay stupid question..but if I have a smaller car is the engineered enlongment that you made necessary ? I am just asking cause us (2 sisters) are also having trouble getting it on our car but we have a very small one so we considered getting a crane..?

[@VoyagerOverland]

The extra length is for reaching further up and away, it might not be necessary for a small car. You would need to try it and and see 👍

[@misswiss278]

@@VoyagerOverland thank you so much for your answer 🥰

[@fred4264]

Awesome work, would you be able to share the measures and angle you put on the additional arm?

[@VoyagerOverland]

Measurements are in the description 👍

[@fred4264]

@@VoyagerOverland sorry and thanks for mentioning it. I also saw that you take the crossbars with it, are you not struggling to fit it into the nuts of your rail base? I know that the attachment legs of the roof tent is a nightmare to put and remove so I am thinking to take the crossbars too and i believe it helps to lift the whole pack. Have a good day

[@Dopestrat]

What engine hoist/crane did you use?

[@VoyagerOverland]

Any engine hoist will work, this one came from Princess Auto 👍

[@001parkster]

Hi would you of been able to lift the tent without the extension you added.

[@VoyagerOverland]

No, the extension provides the extra reach and height required.

[@mitchconnor4638]

Have a link to the lift you used? Nicely done!

[@VoyagerOverland]

Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWGmnppnhaqFedU

[@jasonhouk7939]

Pretty brialliant

[@VoyagerOverland]

Simple is good 👍 Thank you

[@collin7776]

What is the height that you can achieve with this setup, looking at building the same setup and I wonder if I can use the dimensions you are providing. That said I have a 4runner with an iKamper, so I would near to clear ~90 inches. Need be I could always install additional 2x2 metal tube between the legs and wheels to give a small increase in height.

[@VoyagerOverland]

I'm loading the tent this weekend, I'll measure maximum lift and I will let you know 👍

[@collin7776]

@@VoyagerOverland Awesome thanks, at worse I'll get a couple wood pallets and put the shop crane on top not as stable but only lifting ~150lbs. Also I meant to ask; RCEME ?

[@VoyagerOverland]

@@collin7776 ok, you have my attention... Yes RCEME, many, many years ago. How did you guess?

[@collin7776]

@@VoyagerOverland An educated guess; the decals on the side of the jeep as well as the very well organized garage and finding a crafty solution to a problem. Also I just got my 20 years in the RCN.

[@VoyagerOverland]

@@collin7776 you should be a detective😎 The white JK is my wife's actually and as you notice the roundel, she was RCAF... But I don't hold it against her. 🤣 20yrs... Thank you for your service 👍

[@TrailAdventuresTV]

Too much work for a RTT IMO! Great work thought!

[@Jpt01amr]

How would attach the hoist to my hardshell roofnest tent ? I’m trying to think it out

[@VoyagerOverland]

We leave the cross bars attached to the tent, makes for good lift points and much quicker 👍

[@Jpt01amr]

@@VoyagerOverland wow thank you for the quick reply . Your video solved my issues thank you for helping us out

[@VoyagerOverland]

@@Jpt01amr My pleasure 👍

[@jurgenschlieszeit8156]

I try to build your solution. could you please tell how long the part is, which is outside before the bend. 18" are inside, XX" is the length to the bend, the band is 30 degrees and from the band this part is 29" long. Thank you

[@VoyagerOverland]

That part is adjust to whatever length you require for your application 👍

[@jurgenschlieszeit8156]

@@VoyagerOverland It just mustn't be too long, otherwise the crane will tip over.

[@VoyagerOverland]

@@jurgenschlieszeit8156 Correct

[@RobDaBankz]

I can’t see how you attached the Clovis hook on the end?

[@VoyagerOverland]

I have a 3/8" rod welded inside the square tube, a bolt would work just the same 👍

[@RobDaBankz]

@@VoyagerOverland ah yeah thank you, I just finished making ito today, but the hoist doesn’t have enough lift 😢😢

[@VoyagerOverland]

@@RobDaBankz My plan was to either extend the cylinder or move the cylinder mounting point if I needed more height. Let me know if you try either of those options 👍

[@Opawchicago1975]

btw whats the size of the hook?thanks

[@VoyagerOverland]

There is not much for weight there, I used a 1/2" hook to have more space for the strap I am using.

[@ryansj16]

this is fantastic, you'd probably make good money selling the extensions as a side business. BTW what is the weight of you RTT

[@VoyagerOverland]

Perfect timing for your question. Our tents weight 140 lbs but we just upgraded to a new tent and it weights about 100 lbs more with the attached awning.... I have an upcoming video on a modification to my system so it can handle a heavier RTT 👍

[@ryansj16]

@@VoyagerOverland thats great i just got a 250lbs tent as well and looking for solutions. i'll be waiting with anticipation for your next video. ty and happy camping

[@DSPVDO]

Had this built in Florida and used it once, moved to NC, and the moving company lost the extension!!! had another extension welded together from the shop in Florida but they didn't want to drill the holes because they didn't have the receiving tube from the crane. So, my question is, the new hole on the crane receiver, ( @3:42 on your video) and on the 18" end ( @3:56) how far in do I drill the hole for the crane receiver? tried to see on your video, looked about 5" thanks again for a great design, cant wait to use it up here in the Mountains of NC.

[@VoyagerOverland]

NC? wow never been that far south. It's pretty simple, slide it in the crane, mark it, and drill it!

[@Disturb4935]

Can you make me one??😁

[@alainbrouillette7740]

Hey can you make one for me ??

[@davetee3589]

I need to buy something like this for my hardshell 220 pound RTT. Some one please sell me one

[@davepetro5676]

Or call your rental place rent a genie lift for 50 bucks a day Hydrological or battery operated and has forks or a arm to lift the same way you did

[@VoyagerOverland]

I had to think on this for a while... I remove and install the tent several times a year, the rental fees would far out weight the build cost in my case.

[@theanswer69786]

pls sell me a bracket like that lol

[@jonathanthompson3359]

Don't grind metal with your bike right next to your table. The metal bits will get onto the brake rotors and the cassette. Don't ask how I know...

[@davidknott1612]

Can I pay you to make one for me?

[@VoyagerOverland]

Thanks for the offer, but no thanks 😊

[@robertsack257]

Go on to Thumbtack or Angies List and look up welders. They have the metal rods on Amazon for $50-$60. Most welders can do this relatively easily.