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03-06-2011, 07:06 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 111
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Camper shell lift system
I thought I would share how I store the camper shell for my pickup when not in use.
I love having a shell on my pickup when I go camping to be able to keep things dry and have the ability to lock things up.
However at times a camper shell can limit how you use your pickup or get in the way. So I wanted it to be easy to put on and take off.
I bought this hanging garage rack made by a company call "Racor" http://www.racorinc.com/Products.aspx?id=150. You can find them online at several places for around $135.
It comes with a rack or platform that is used to put boxes on, however I didn't use this platform. It says it has a max weight capacity of 250lbs, however the platform is fairly heavy so by not using it I feel It could lift a little heavier item if needed. But my camper shell only weighs around 150lbs so I'm well under the limit.
This works really slick for me since I only use the shell for camping and trips. It only takes me about 10~15 minutes to go on or off. And it leaves no marks on the truck. All in all it was pretty easy to do and the rack systems works smoothly.
__________________
Dale & Jodi
Gilbert, Az
2000 17' Casita SD
2010 Nissan Frontier CC
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03-06-2011, 08:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Trillium Outback
Posts: 282
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Very nice. Wish I could do something that simple. My truck won't fit in my minature garage. I've pondered a double "A" frame with a single beam across the top. Then pick the shell up similar to what you have and then drive the truck out from under it. Then set the shell on some blocks on the ground. It's one of those roundtuit projects.
__________________
2005 Trillium Outback w/ 30" tongue extension
1989 Award 730, 30'
2003 PT Cruiser
1998 K2500 Chevy Silverado 6.5 Turbo Diesel, 4X4, ext cab, short bed
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03-06-2011, 08:31 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler 1984
Posts: 2,938
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Very nice and compact. That would work for canoe and kayak storage too.
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03-06-2011, 08:42 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 111
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Thanks Curtis & James.
James, Yes I think it would work great for Kayak's and Canoe's. I have an inflatable kayak, but if I had a hard kayak this might work.
....Dale
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Dale & Jodi
Gilbert, Az
2000 17' Casita SD
2010 Nissan Frontier CC
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03-06-2011, 09:52 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 1,861
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Dale
I just got a deal on a camper shell for my 2007 Frontier. I was trying to figure a quick way to remove the shell with just the wife and myself. My scheme was to use 2X4s like you but hang it from the garage ceiling with light chains. I like your set up much better than my idea.
Thanks
Eddie
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03-07-2011, 06:39 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2007 19 ft Escape 5.0 / 2002 GMC (1973 Boler project)
Posts: 4,149
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Hi: Dale AZ...That's one slick lift!!! To bad I'm done stimulating the economy. I need a Trans. cooler and then a matching trailer stripe set...and that's it for me. I wanted a tool box for the truck bed... but they're a stimulating price too!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
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03-07-2011, 06:58 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1983 13 ft Scamp
Posts: 3,082
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Nice setup.
I use adjustable motorcycle tie downs 
I hang them from the ceiling. Back my truck under them, hook one on each corner, pull adjustment up on each strap corner, drive truck out.DONE
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03-07-2011, 07:42 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alf S.
Hi: Dale AZ...That's one slick lift!!! To bad I'm done stimulating the economy. I need a Trans. cooler and then a matching trailer stripe set...and that's it for me. I wanted a tool box for the truck bed... but they're a stimulating price too!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie 
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Thanks Alf S.
Not to change the subject, but are you going to add a trans cooler in addition to the one that comes on the Frontier? The stripe will look nice with your trailer.
Dale
__________________
Dale & Jodi
Gilbert, Az
2000 17' Casita SD
2010 Nissan Frontier CC
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03-07-2011, 07:44 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin K
Nice setup.
I use adjustable motorcycle tie downs Attachment 33863
I hang them from the ceiling. Back my truck under them, hook one on each corner, pull adjustment up on each strap corner, drive truck out.DONE
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Thanks Kevin,
I almost went the tie down strap method. That works too.
__________________
Dale & Jodi
Gilbert, Az
2000 17' Casita SD
2010 Nissan Frontier CC
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03-07-2011, 08:10 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddie Longest
Dale
I just got a deal on a camper shell for my 2007 Frontier. I was trying to figure a quick way to remove the shell with just the wife and myself. My scheme was to use 2X4s like you but hang it from the garage ceiling with light chains. I like your set up much better than my idea.
Thanks
Eddie
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Hi Eddie,
My wife and I tried to remove the shell on our last truck, but it was just to heavy and awkward for the two of us. This set up is nice as I can do it by my self.
__________________
Dale & Jodi
Gilbert, Az
2000 17' Casita SD
2010 Nissan Frontier CC
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03-07-2011, 12:09 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 1,578
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Nice, thanks for sharing. I like this homemade one too, so you can leave it outside.
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03-07-2011, 08:14 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 111
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Ken,
That's a cool looking set up too. Never seen one like that, good idea. unfortunately I have less room outside than I do in my garage.
Dale
__________________
Dale & Jodi
Gilbert, Az
2000 17' Casita SD
2010 Nissan Frontier CC
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03-08-2011, 02:39 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
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You have nearly copied the system a fastidious uncle set up to remove and store the hard top from his 1950s Mercedes convertible. He had some hooks bent out of thick flat bar and then dipped in rubber, so you lifted the hard top a little and tucked the hooks securely under the hard top edge at the lifting points - don't want that shell to slip off the cross bars, do you?
But for the full obsessive prize, you need a fifth string hanging from the roof. On the end will be an old tennis ball and when the rear screen of the shell touches the tennis ball, you have reversed the truck into the right position to lift the shell.
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03-08-2011, 09:21 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Gibbens
But for the full obsessive prize, you need a fifth string hanging from the roof. On the end will be an old tennis ball and when the rear screen of the shell touches the tennis ball, you have reversed the truck into the right position to lift the shell. 
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That's a good idea Andrew! Then I will know right where to stop.
__________________
Dale & Jodi
Gilbert, Az
2000 17' Casita SD
2010 Nissan Frontier CC
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06-20-2023, 07:52 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Westfalia
Pennsylvania
Posts: 1
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Do you have any plans for this setup?
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