Storing your roof top tent RTT with garage ceiling hoist

[alexpuw]

Hey all - just finished up a project. I love my iKamper but I don’t want it on my truck 24/7. I installed this hoist Universal system from smarter home.

And with the Rivian cross bars I don’t have to take the camper off the rails and it will only take me 15-20 min to put it back on the truck. Figured I’d share.

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[BigSkies]

Looks good, and I wish I could do this!

I was hoping to plan something similar, but it looks like my roof truss system won't support the weight.

 

[Riviot]

Hey all - just finished up a project. I love my iKamper but I don’t want it on my truck 24/7. I installed this hoist Universal system from smarter home.

And with the Rivian cross bars I don’t have to take the camper off the rails and it will only take me 15-20 min to put it back on the truck. Figured I’d share.

Very nice, I like!

I did a similar manual system after viewing this thread: https://www.rivianforums.com/hoist-lift-system-for-roof-top-tent-successfully-installed/

It only takes me a few minutes to raise/lower. I suggest velcro looped straps to secure the crossbar locks open.

 

[rookford]

@alexpuw

I am actually about to do the same hoist in the next couple of weeks. Any reason you have the other straps for support? The hoist can hold up to 200 lbs and the tent is about 120 lbs.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I think your u-track wouldn't bend as much if you flipped it so the flat part was on the top instead of the bottom. I'd probably replace it with a full length of unistrut which is probably much stronger than having separate sections.

 

[alexpuw]

@alexpuw

I am actually about to do the same hoist in the next couple of weeks. Any reason you have the other straps for support? The hoist can hold up to 200 lbs and the tent is about 120 lbs.

Yup it can handle the weight and isn’t needed. That was me adding a bit of cheap backup system and I live in a state with seismic activity- so I figured it wouldn’t hurt.

 

[alexpuw]

I think your u-track wouldn't bend as much if you flipped it so the flat part was on the top instead of the bottom. I'd probably replace it with a full length of unistrut which is probably much stronger than having separate sections.

thanks for the tip. I’ll try that! I’m already researching a unistrut option.

 

[Forager]

I think your u-track wouldn't bend as much if you flipped it so the flat part was on the top instead of the bottom. I'd probably replace it with a full length of unistrut which is probably much stronger than having separate sections.

thanks for the tip. I’ll try that! I’m already researching a unistrut option.

Yep. That piece of channel is spliced right at the location of maximum moment and the splice connection isn’t designed well, there’s a lot of play in the fit up resulting in rotation. Single piece of strut would be good, Home Depot sells it. Other places are cheaper but HD is the way to go for a DIYer.

 

[mung]

Question: with the RTT and cargo bars on the roof, is there room on the cargo bar to fit an awning on the side?

 

[MXA121]

Praise be to Rivian for designing a proper rack system that lifts STRAIGHT UP AND OFF!
Well done.
I have a cheap manual hoist and do this same thing in my garage to keep the RTT off the bed. Love how it just 'clicks' into place when I lower it onto the truck.

 

[Tango45]

cool! I'm about to set up a pioneer platform with a low-tech (read: low-cost) version of all that. Can you share links of what you bought/used?

 

[alexpuw]

cool! I'm about to set up a pioneer platform with a low-tech (read: low-cost) version of all that. Can you share links of what you bought/used?

Sure. I used this system: https://www.smarterhome.com/

 

[aho]

Looks good, and I wish I could do this!

I was hoping to plan something similar, but it looks like my roof truss system won't support the weight.

That's my concern with my doing a ceiling roof storage. How do people know their ceiling joists can support the weight?

 

[zefram47]

I ordered the 4-motor system meant for lifting a truck cap, but haven't installed it yet. We have the "engineered" beams in our garage, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to mount it. The manufacturer of the beams says you can still mount stuff to them, but it's definitely not as solid as a 2x4 and they're narrower so it's harder to land the lag bolts in the right spot.

 

[alexpuw]

That's my concern with my doing a ceiling roof storage. How do people know their ceiling joists can support the weight?

Obviously I can’t speak to your joists - but they are holding up your ceiling. I think so long as you can screw in the middle you should be fine.

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