Instead of fighting gravity, I wanted to use gravity to help me lift the roof on my ATC. One method to do this is to reverse the direction of force and use the weight of my body and the strength of my legs, as opposed to the traditional overhead lifting action.
Here are some shots of a prototype device that I built from stuff lying about the garage. The parts include a 48" piece of Unistrut, a piece of chainlink fence top rail, two old crutch tips, miscellaneous Unistrut hardware, piece of old broom handle for the upper crutch tip, rope, piece of plastic pipe, a couple of screws, etc. The only thing that I had to go after was the garage door pulley - about $3 at Lowes.
I have not loaded the roof, yet; but, I feel that this device will help greatly after I add a couple of kayaks or a luggage carrier.
Like I said, this IS a prototype. If I had a welder, I would do a few things differently and cut down on the overall weight. Some of the hardware is more bullet-proof than needed.
The first step, after positioning the lift, is to raise the rear section enough to put stop pin (old screwdriver in this case) in the Unistrut. This allows me to stand and complete the lift with my leg.
The lift at the front is totally by leg power - much easier than doing an overhead lift.
-Buzz
Prototype Roof Lift Device
Started by
Buzz
, Nov 07 2007 10:26 PM
19 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 07 November 2007 - 10:26 PM
#2
Posted 07 November 2007 - 10:50 PM
Bravo! Great, elegant idea!
#3
Posted 07 November 2007 - 11:19 PM
If you had the weight on the roof, do you think you could reverse the procedure to lower? May be a double pully system?
Patrick
2015 FWC Hawk Flatbed
#4
Posted 07 November 2007 - 11:58 PM
Buzz,
Nice piece of work and great photos and explanation.
Nice piece of work and great photos and explanation.
DLN
Ex- 2006 Eagle - 2002 Tacoma TRD - Ride Rite Air Bags
Current - 2004 17' Casita SD
#5
Posted 08 November 2007 - 12:16 AM
Buzz what a great Idea......how about using a small boat trailer winch to raise and lower the top.....You have given me something to build.......
05 Ford F250 LB V10 04 FWC Grandby
#6
Posted 08 November 2007 - 01:09 AM
Nice work Buzz. Using your head...I mean leg.....instead of your back!
I especially like the use of stuff that was lying around....Cool.
Brian
I especially like the use of stuff that was lying around....Cool.
Brian
#7
Posted 08 November 2007 - 01:23 AM
Using your head...
I tried that once when I had a load on my Yakima rack on the camper. Just about broke my neck.
Great work Buzz!
#8
Posted 27 November 2008 - 04:23 PM
Buz, The lift assist is what I am looking for!! Is anyone marketing them? I was came accross this thread last night, what a great idea. FWC should market these for the camper. Good work!! Terri
#10
Posted 28 November 2008 - 07:20 PM
John, I don't get it......
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