How to remove a pick-up truck cap with one person and simple hardware

[@baptizedbyfire13]

This is slick, man. Real slick. You solved not just one problem, but a few problems in one shot. You solved the storing issue for starters, and then you solved the single-man operation of removing it. You also inadvertently solved the complete opposite puzzle which is mounting and installation, again, by one man. Its a simple process of letting the ratcheting tie-down do the work for you instead of breaking your back. Easy in and easy out. I second the comment that the fellow made below on engineering. With all points of contact, when installed properly, can easily support an average 300 lb. truck cap easily. Using 6 straps which are anchored in two places each equates to 300lb. truck cap divided by twelve which equals 25lbs. With the correct hardware and proper installation as you displayed anyone can do this with confidence, This is better than my idea of using a pulley system. This more economical, and a more simpler design which is easier to install. You my friend, just proved that the brain is in fact a muscle. Not only is it a muscle but the strongest one that we have when you use it right. Damn great job.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

jlerro1981 Thanks for the very astute comment. There is one more improvement for this method that I wish I would have added, but I may show that if I make another video when I set up one of these for a friend. You're inspiring me to make more of these type of videos!

[@LOLpoopstain]

I just want to say that this is an excellent video. I dont think I myself could have taken the time to construct such a thorough video on an age old problem like this. I have a cap on my truck, and I havent been able to take it off because getting 4 competent bodies together at once isnt always possible. Thank you for the great video and instruction, you are helping a great amount of people!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I really appreciate the comment. I enjoy putting these videos together and its great to hear when someone finds them useful.

[@briandickerson406]

Genius! I appreciate you making this video. I am about to get my first topper and was worried about how I would remove it when I would not want it on there for particular loads. This is perfect!

[@norsemoen]

I nearly replicated this setup in my garage. Thank you for your tutorial!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I tried it first without the boards and I didn't like the way the straps indented and distorted the rubber seals on bottom edge of the topper. I also heard that fiberglass can spread so this kind of solved both problems. Thanks for taking a look at the video.

[@WildcardRC]

😲 Old vid, but super simple set up to do and cheap too!

[@timbirchard]

Thanks very much for this. You're an excellent communicator and teacher. Gratitude!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Tim Birchard You're welcome and thanks for the taking time to comment.

[@DelThompson]

Very well done! I'm going to try it this summer to replace the seal on my topper. Thank you for making this great video!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Del Thompson You're very welcome. Thanks for the comment and I hope your project turns out great.

[@5150roc]

I did the same, but used the heavy-duty tie-downs that are rated 10k each (not the yellow ones), they are red and black. They're 3 in. wide and have a large 6" crank handle/lever. All you do is crack them up 2 in. at a time and the entire camper shell is up in no time at all. I was able to get it up high with minimum effort and was able to drive forward right in the garage with the shell way over my hood. The secret is using the heavy-duty tie downs with large crank handle, along with heavy circle bolts (the screw type) rather then the bicycle hooks supports. Remember shells can weigh as much as 150lb to 250lb, so using heavy-duty, high quality supports are a must. This can be used for Jeep tops as well.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Thanks for sharing those good ideas!

[@anesthesiadreamin]

I made something similar a few years back for my fiberglass Jeep top (HEAVY) but I used four Harbor Freight block and tackle setups (one on each corner) so I could hoist it all the way up to the ceiling with minimal effort. I just hooked the hooks under the edge of the top, but I like your idea with boards much better, they won't damage the paint

[@BlueDragonBeastog]

Great video! I was wondering how I'd do it and I found my answer.

[@drewmettalife]

Thank you for this! I will be doing this next weekend to get a load of dirt for raised beds in back yard.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Drew Miller You're welcome and good luck with the job!

[@MrBillRudy]

Thanks buddy. I like the emphasis on safety. But about safely realizing the ratchets to lower the shell...?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I use the the cam buckle straps to lower the shell and only when the truck has been positioned underneath.

[@cdawg414]

I have a question about putting the shell back on. Once you've got the truck all lined up properly how do you release it down slowly and carefully? My experience with those ratcheting buckles is that when you push down on the release, you'd better watch your fingers.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I use the cam buckle for lowering it back down, just the reverse of removal. Once the truck is under the shell, I take off the ratcheting strap, which was only for additional safety, not for raising and lowering.

[@cdawg414]

Thank you Original Mechanic for not only providing a great video but also for ongoing support years after it's creation!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You are very welcome.

[@backatthebeach]

Did this just as shown and it worked great. Thanks!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Your welcome. Nice work!

[@IMMORTALFILMS]

Great Vid, the wife is looking at a truck with a shell on it, and I was wondering what to do with it when I need to haul limbs and things, so this will work out nicely. Thank you very much.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm glad it helped. I've used mine three or four times since I built it.

[@duanepowell5057]

Thanks. I am getting a cap for my truck and was wondering what to do with the cap when I need to load something large. I will set this up over the weekend.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Thanks for taking a look at the video and taking the time to comment. I hope it works out well for you. I really like mine.

[@lesterlangford5307]

Great video and great solution to a problem that I am currently facing. Thank you for taking the time to post your solution.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Lester Langford You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting and good luck.

[@schobo1]

I used to do the same thing. I had four 4x4s behind the barn, with L-brackets on them. I would drive the truck between the 4x4s, the get in the back and lift the cap off enough to slide 2x4s side to side, on in the front and back, and rest them on the L-brackets. Then just drive the truck out from under, and leave the cap there

[@jmg11078]

I got a camper top, i really like it. I don't really like how my truck looks with it on and i really disliked emptying bags of mulch from the bed with it on. I saw this video and made a quick trip to Lowes and spent $8 on hooks (I used all eyelets) $7 on (2) 2x4s, $13 on a package of 4 cambuckle straps (300lb working load on each strap). 1.5 hours after i left for lowes i had the camper top suspended from my ceiling in my garage. GREAT VIDEO!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Nice work. That's a lot faster than it took me to get mine suspended! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jmg11078]

I did not have to do the thinking... you did it for me...

[@matthewfouts3745]

Great solution , and cheap. Thanks!

[@alextotheroh8071]

Pretty darn brilliant. Thank you sir!

[@baptizedbyfire13]

I had thought of a pulley system replicating a bicycle hanger, but of a slightly larger scale to support the load. It's very similar to your method. Maybe you have seen these bicycle hangers? They pull the bicycle up to the ceiling and completely out of the way for storage in the garage. My system would indeed be more involved such as routing rope and the extra cost for the material, but the advantage would be having the truck cap lifted completely up to the ceiling, preventing accidental bumps and giving more clearance. Of course, the ceiling would have to free of light fixtures, etc.

[@philc.9280]

Thanks for such a great idea. I though I was stuck with the topper on forever as it limits what I can haul. My garage is taller so I can crank the topper real high and still park another car under it. We use the topper for camping only.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome. I still use this method almost 7 years later!

[@sportriderseattle]

you could save yourself a lot of effort when you initially place those boards under your cap by getting up inside your truck, bent at the waist and using your back against the roof to lift the cap where you can slide the boards in between.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Yeah, you're right, getting that first board under there is the toughest part. I'm six-two and I don't know if I can pull that off. Thanks for watching and sharing your idea.

[@cqsqaqwq]

Really nice video!! I like your idea but after I get my topper hanging, ideally I want to then be able to slide it back about six feet on some sort of rolling track system on the ceiling.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Chad Quinn Thanks for watching and commenting. That sounds like an interesting idea. You should shoot a video and share it if you build it.

[@RimfireRat]

you had that mounted on the plastic bed rails with no foam between the cap and the bed?

[@smokeyab920]

Great video. I am looking for a truck and have seen some with the cab and thought, oh no, but now, I will consider one with a cab.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+smokeyab920 Thanks for watching and I appreciate the comment.

[@australiandad5898]

Gave me some great ideas. Thank you 👍

[@TonyCasino]

great idea ! i struggled to devise a way to load and unload during seasons . very smart and simple idea . peace

[@BakerBaker1-9]

Good idea 💡 .... Thanks for the thoughts... I want something similar but to pull it up automatically and store it at the ceiling completely out of the way....

[@AnthonyNYC7]

Such a great idea. Thanks for making this video!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome. I've had the topper off about five times now since I made this, in fact it's hanging in there now!

[@gnagnafrog]

Hey, I got the same basic idea last fall, but didn't get to implement it before winter came. So here I am, looking for a few tips on KZbin, and sure enough, other people had this idea before I did! I guess our house is going to look weird from the street when the truck cap is hanging under the attached carport, so the WAF (wife acceptance factor) could be very low on this specific project, but dammit, it seems like this is the only way that I can get rid of that cap when need be.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+gnagnafrog I'm glad you found my video. At the time I made this there were no other videos like it. Good luck with it. I always go with the WWGUTI (wife will get used it it) factor.

[@peterp4319]

great idea. what type of wood makes up the planks ? and their size ? would ordinary fir 2 X 4s work ?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I used hardwood planks for this job. For another I just used pine 2 X 4s with no problem. 2 X 4s will be fine.

[@lifeisgood070]

Great video. Actually seems pretty easy. I like it.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I used to dread having to take the topper on and off. Now it isn't a big deal at all and I do it myself three or four times a year.

[@nazcaplain]

Totally groovy, I'm going to do this shortly. I assume the initial one-way straps you used are a Home Depot item?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

It's a cam buckle strap and they are available in any home improvement or hardware store such as Lowe's or Home depot.The ratchet straps are also readily available.Thanks for watching and good luck with your job!

[@ChrisMartin-ll2hy]

Great video, I'll be using this method for my cap, thanks so much!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting and I hope your lift works well.

[@ricardojohnsonthon7547]

Thanks Brother. Appreciate the video

[@jackoshaw]

Great tips.... Thanks for posting!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@49Jersey]

Well done video and a cool technique. I'm using this method on mine. Thanks.

[@yourreunioncommittee8220]

Sure would like to find a new bottom seal for my Vista brand camper; bulb with skirt type, attachment is very small "T" above the skirt off the bulb. Or, anyone got a foolproof method of softening the seal?

[@FisherCatProductions]

That's how I do mine. The hard part is after I have it hanging there, how to move it out of the way if I don't intend to keep it there LOL.

[@neoasura]

Put some caster wheels on those 2x4s while hanging, then lower it down to the ground and move it lol, I wonder if that would work.

[@thefreakinpope5148]

Awesome idea be nice if I could do it that way. Unfortunately I just get in the balancing point and carry it off. I built a stand for it that I back up to and walk it on to that.

[@macmcintire4866]

Thanks. Going to buy the hardware today

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome. I wish you success.

[@orlandotejeda6050]

Great idea

[@flyod26]

Thanks for the ideas!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and giving feedback.

[@LLAPJoe]

might try the same thing, except my garage ceiling is 13ft!. good video.. thanks

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

No problem. You just need super long straps and a tall step ladder!

[@Vvision456]

Nice work

[@BadgerTwo2]

thanks for the video, helps alot!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Sure, you're welcome.

[@davechaves940]

great job im gonna try it too. need toi get the quade in the truck but also need the top for work , looks like an esay way to put it on and off in a jiff!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

thanks for watching and commenting. I set this up a year ago when I got tired of trying to find help when I needed to take the the top off and it works great.

[@arennazarians2763]

Okay... Im gonna go try this now... Will let u know how it goes.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Good luck with it and thanks for watching.

[@cobrajohn1944]

Do not do this if the ceiling joists are not rated for the weight ! Bad idea

[@ZaKattack52]

Gotta know how to Jerry rig things when you drive a Ford.

[@357raider]

THANKS DAVID.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@graybush3822]

I always wished the damned manufacturers of these toppers would install eye hooks or tie downs on each roof corner so this procedure, as well as many others, would work much more efficiently. A built in luggage rack on top would even work better.

[@tomkleinvachter4774]

I was going to sell my topper because I bought a slide in camper. Not anymore. Thanks.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

So glad to hear it helped. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@MC-hs4mf]

Looks dangerous to leave it suspended especially if you have kids. And if anything fails the camper will impact concrete. I hope you don't leave it suspended in air especially if you have kids.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I park the truck under it. Although I made it with a double strap system for safety, I do not allow anyone to linger under it.

[@thinkford]

Great job to bad my garage door gets in the way! :(

[@american_chevy616]

Same problem here by 1 1/2 inches

[@danyube4450]

Ratchet straps …????? Might help heh

[@leocasi405]

so someone can just steal my shit just like that,,,hmmm thats interesting

[@juniorvilla1607]

EXTRUDED SOLUTIONS TRUCK CAP SEALS CHECK THEM OUT.

[@ministerc9513]

Just pick it up.