Prototype Roof Lift Device

Buzz

Advanced Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2007
Messages
92
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
 

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If you had the weight on the roof, do you think you could reverse the procedure to lower? May be a double pully system?
 
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.......
 
Bravo...

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
 
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!
 
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
 
Thank you lyhikers. Yes, I am making a joke with a serious side. I am against mechanical lifting devices. I can envision several ways to be seriously injured and/or damage the FWC/ATC camper with mechanical lifting devices. John D
 
lqhiker (Les),

Let me send you a private message on the subject. I stand by my opinion that jacks are potentially dangerous.

John D
 
Les, thanks for responding. After I sent my message back to John this morning, the lights went on when I reached for my protein powder to make my morning drink, stupid me.....I am still very much interested in a lift assist. Which one? Raising the camper up has always been a tuff one for me. I consider myself a fairly strong women, but it's always been hard to lift it up. I think part of it is the awkward angle. It's always a tuff one to admit to to a weakness.... Oh well.... Again, thanks for your support. Terri
 
Gas Strut List Assists

We have been installing "gas strut" lift assists in some of our new campers lately.

They seem to be very simple and have been working well.

Our service dept. can also install them on older campers.

The cost is approx. $ 250.00 to have them installed.

If you have any questions please call Chicali in our service dept.


CHICALI (800) 242-1442.



Happy Camping !




.
 

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When I was visiting FWC on my "First trip west" in October, Chicali showed me the new gas strut lift system. I was quietly skeptical of it, until I tried it. I was truly amazed at how well this new design helps to lift the roof. It also seems to help a little with lifting the rear end of the roof.
 
We have been installing "gas strut" lift assists in some of our new campers lately.


I have these. Overall, my response to the struts is positive. I don't think these struts are going to replace some of the lifting devices we have seen some members here make - they still require some strength and somewhat awkward position to raise, which doesn't solve the problem of someone with a bad back and/or other physical limitations.

That said, the struts do make the roof lifting and lowering easier. I'll write up more of my thoughts after I have been able to use them a bit more.
 
*snip*
I'll write up more of my thoughts after I have been able to use them a bit more.

Don't you mean while you're "on sabbatical?"
 
The lifting device was the first and best thing I built for my camper. I can't think of any reason for damage unless you leave a latch engaged and even then I think you could tell before you damaged anything.

Dick
 

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