One Man Camper Shell Install

[PKleine]

I recently removed the shell so I could load the slide in camper. I rounded up the usual suspects and the job was done easy. Re-installation went the same way.



Now, I can't always depend on being able to round them up in a timely manner, so has any one figured out a way for one man to remove and install a camper shell? I appreciate your thoughts & ideas.

 

[Deezul1]

The way I did it was to plant 4 posts, 1 outside each corner of the bed and run a 2x4 front to back on each side kinda like parellel bars and about 3" higher than the bed. Then I would get inside the shell with a 2x4 the width of the outside rails and push up with my shoulders to get enough room to slide the loose 2x4 crosswise to the bed with the camper shell sitting on it and do it at each end then drive out from under it. I used this setup for years and the only drawback was having to move all the crap you end you storing under the shell.

 

[Dieselnerd]

When I had a camper shell I installed a large eye bolt in the center of gravity in the roof of the shell. I mounted an inexpensive 12 volt winch on the ceiling of my garage and was able to easily install and remove the shell by myself. I added some extra eyebolts in the ceiling and heavy rope to put under the shell and stored it on the ceiling of my garage when not in use.

 

[bighammer]

I have a pair of 2x4s a little longer than the cap is wide with eyebolts in the ends. In the garage, I have 4 more eyebolts screwed into the trusses. I back the truck in, unbolt the top and block up the cap to get the boards in. Then all 4 ropes go over and down to the side wall so I can lift the cap and take up the slack. I can pull it snug to the ceiling and park under it.



I've had my rowing skull and some other stuff up there and sort of forgot about it until I saw this thread. I really need to pull the cap off for plowing so I can see a bit better.

 

[TowPro]

call me stuped, but I just got in the middle of it, lifted it on my back and walked out of the back of the truck.



Of course I only did this once or twice.

 

[R-N-R]

I raise each corner onto 2x4 blocks, insert 2x6s across the front and rear between the cap and bed (approx 21. 5" from both front and rear), add 2x4s between the 2x6s (inside the cap), attach tow straps to eyebolts on the ends of the 2x6s, attach the other end of the tow straps to a hook with is attached via cable running through 2 pulleys (mounted to 4x4s attached to garage rafters) to a come-along which has one end attached to the garage wall. It takes me about 20 minutes to mount or un-mount the cap by myself. While "hanging" the cap is high enough for me to pull the front end of the truck under it. PM me if you would like pics.

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by TowPro

call me stuped, but I just got in the middle of it, lifted it on my back and walked out of the back of the truck.



Of course I only did this once or twice.

This way worked for me.

Wasnt real easy, but I dont do it all the time.

Eric

 

[Prairie Dog]

Originally posted by The patriot

This way worked for me.

Wasnt real easy, but I dont do it all the time.

Eric

Mine weighs 200lbs and I suspect any good back doc would strongly recomend against this method. Or, maybe I'm just not as manly?

 

[bighammer]

I can pick itup, but moving something that big (and $$$ sort of fragile) doesn't feel comfortable. A mistake means injury, truck and/or cap damage.

 

[J D Moore]

My solution was to purchase 4 tie down hooks from JC Whitney PN 14UH9758Y. They are rope hooks with a lift-up "T" bar. I mounted these on each outside corner of the topper. I fashioned two lengths of rope with loops in each end. The loops are secured on the T bars and the the two ropes attached to a rope from an overhead pulley leading to a boat trailer winch. The cap is lifted with the winch, the truck driven out of the way. I then pull a small trailer into place with my lawn tractor and the cap is lowered into place. The trailer is then moved to it's storage area. It can be done by one person but I usually have my wife drive the truck and tractor.

Jim

 

[JTroiano]

I have a cherry picker and I made an attachment that fits in the end. It is like a big "T". I roll it under the cap and crank the handle.



Jon T