How I Made: A Camper Shell Lift

[@cgmd4294]

God I wish everyone on KZbin made videos the way you did. Well done sir.

[@cameron6783]

I appreciate the video, but there is not way in hell I am going to drill into my camper shell.

[@gvjester]

Great video, thank you for the time lapse, perfect length video while being very informative!!

[@chrisduncan7087]

Nice idea with the winch. If it were me I would have mounted 500lb eye bolts at 45 degree angles for the pulley mounts. In this setup the pulley and the chain are experiencing the same amount of load (about 300lb for a 200lb cap) at a 45 degree angle that bisects the right angle created by the cable. You gotta brace for the resulting vector, which is not vertical.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Nice solution! I really like how you found the center/balance inside the camper shell. That was cool. Nice to see another video from you, Claudio!

[@MakeItNowchannel]

Thanks Bruce!

[@OldAndGettingOlder]

Holy cow that is slick. Are looking for any distortion in the cap from having it hanging from a single point? That's my concern, but the single point lift is so nice.

[@invidiousshoota]

That's a great point. I wonder if there's a way to rig up something with old tie down straps. Run two straps: one around the front half and one around the rear half, then connect them in the middle with more strap material. That way you could support the front and rear of the cap and still retain a single attachment point. Would that be considered a 4-point harness? hahahaha

[@jeffreyhurst9552]

If you’re worried about distortion, you could put a 2’ X 3’ piece of plywood inside the topper to spread the weight over a larger area.

[@SirNC89]

Fiberglass will Fracture, crack fragment break from that much stress.

[@TheLexiconDevils]

You run beams under the canopy then run 4 lines from each corner to a common centre and lift it that way. Bolt the canopy to the beams as per being mounted on the truck

[@sneil560]

I have a similar shell. Currently I raise mine from 4 mounts I added to hold a rack. Do you find the center of gravity more towards the front or the rear?

[@TheLexiconDevils]

Cross braces under the canopy bolted with the mounting holes. Extended out each side a few inches. Run strap from each corner to balance centre. Attach to your winch setup. I wouldn’t trust a single bolt through the top like that

[@jamespolucha6911]

I would probably forget to unhook the cable and drive off pulling everything down

[@MorganPorritt]

Have you had any issues or concerns with the weight of the shell in one spot in the roof? I was considering doing something similar but am a little concerned that the weight of the shell could over time be an issue on the spots where I'm connecting to the d-ring.

[@MakeItNowchannel]

I never did, but, I would only ever lift it up, pull the truck out, and then put it down. Or in reverse. I don’t think I would want to lift it and leave it up.

[@zainthomas5053]

I built myself into 2 5ft tall saw horse line up both side pickup truck and use your back to lift up and side in 2x4. It reallly works one man job...

[@guyh.4553]

Having a bad back, this gives me lots of good ideas

[@jasonblagdon3686]

Well put together video. This is my next project.ill borrow your idea with a few changes .good job

[@barryroberts6470]

Nicely done the only problem you have is remembering to un-hook that winch, before you drive off or else you will be left with half the truck just hanging there ha ha ha. All the best for Christmas to you and your Family. Barry (ENG)

[@MakeItNowchannel]

Haha. Yeah that is an important step. Thanks Barry.

[@hughseagraves7036]

Seeing that made me think that I will need a "remove before flight" flag to remind me.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Looks a great system

[@Dave-sw2dm]

200 pound cap that is not designed to be supported by one bolt in the center. What could go wrong?

[@jesseandrade3342]

Dude I love your idea

[@goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe6724]

Maybe a piece of plywood 2'x2' on underside of cap for more support and a breakaway link if you forget to unhook.

[@MakeItNowchannel]

That’s a good idea! A break away link would be awesome

[@dclearman71]

"Had my wife help keep it up" LOL....

[@revoblaster]

“So I can get my nut on” 🤣🤣

[@michaelwenmanK7USN]

Just seeing this many many years later and too bad you drilled thru the top of that shell. would have been better off using 2 x 4's with an eye bolt at each end to connect the cables off of those instead.

[@TheBeerbelly007]

Pretty clever, I liked it---

[@OlWolf1011]

Maybe make a cradle out of 2x4s and cable to slide under the loosened rails of the shell - and lift it that way.

[@Brabbo-55]

Very good, Thank you for that.

[@timmills3823]

so am I the only one that found it funny that your wife helped you get it up?

[@gsftom]

So he could get his nut on... 😀

[@hayvalley]

Freakin brilliant.

[@tomconnors6310]

Nice idea.

[@Sandman66]

You drilled a hole..in the roof...I dont think so....i got friends..

[@benhansford8524]

That is fiberglass... One attachment point may work for awhile but soon it will weaken??

[@dispartep]

Best made video EVER!

[@jamiefors5062]

That’s cool

[@bobinmissouri]

can I use your place to store my shell Lol since I don't have a garage lol just kidding good build

[@SirNC89]

I think you should warn Everyone to think twice before they do this. Fiberglass will crack with that much pressure on one point (PSI). And it is not strong enough to tolerate pressure in the center of that shell.

[@josephdupont]

Yea make sure the cable is off!!1 that would be something.

[@joeybagofdoughnuts6664]

NICE!

[@tmaq9726]

Had your wife keep it up😂

[@austinkopp9811]

I deeply apologize for this.... 4:37 that's what she said.

[@JeepTJay6]

4:38....gigidy gigidy

[@KableTac]

if you value your camper top never lift it like this. youre just asking to destroy the fiberglass by having all the weight forced into that one little spot.

[@fredvanguilder2246]

Or…..spend considerably less to build sawhorses

[@Shane-dq9tm]

Yes my man...4:35...standard ops

[@woodrowmagnus2535]

You put a hole in your truck cap dude! That's bogus! Truck caps are notorious for leaking anyway, and you put a hole in it so that it'll leak even more? Bufla dude, there are better ways.

[@dangda-ww7de]

everything look good but 1 thing u should of bought a tundra.

[@MakeItNowchannel]

Hahaha. Yeah I should have bought a lot of things but that’s the one I could actually afford!

[@bikerrbb]

I would not put a hole in my camper!!!

[@brianrobertson3545]

And the top of the shell isn't rated for weight bearing so you've effectively destroyed it making your work useless. Should have attached the winch to boards and lifted it from the bottom.

[@cynzhero62]

#497👍🇺🇸

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Sweet, and clever. Nice job. I cringed a bit when I saw you drill a hole through the roof, but I guess it's old, used and peeling anyway, not like it is a pristine new $2000 shell.