IFMJohn
Well-known member
I originally posted this on some forums for nissan titans. This is what I made to store my father's camper shell when we don't want it on (normally during summer months). The camper shell is on right now so we threw a piece of plywood across the 2x4s and have boxes on it!
Materials I used:
(2) 2x4 cut to 81"
(4) 2x4 cut to 6"
(8) 2 1/2" wood screws
(4) 1/2" Eye Bolts (I think they were 1/2", that may be wrong though) w/nuts
(4) 1/2" Metal Washers
(6) 10' Ratcheting tie downs rated to hold 500 lbs each
(4) 1/4" Toggle Bolts (We have metal studs) (1/4" was the largest lowes had in stock)
(4) 1/4" Eye Bolts (Use them instead of the bolts that come with the Toggle Adapter-wing-expander-thingy)
How I did it:
1. Secure the 6" long 2x4s to each end of the 81" long 2x4s (the outer edge of the 6" 2x4 should be 6" from the edge of the 81" 2x4) using 2 wood screws each.
2. Drill holes through the 81" 2x4s about 3" in for the eye bolts, be sure to drill a hole slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the 1/2" eye bolts.
3. Put the 1/2" eye bolts through the holes in the 2x4s and secure them using a washer and nut.
4. Drill holes through your studs in your ceiling where you will put the 1/4" eye bolts.
5. Put the 1/4" eye bolts+toggle bolt adapters through the holes in the ceiling.
6. Hang the ratcheting tie downs from the eye bolts.
7. Manually lift the camper shell and insert the 2x4 assemblies. I did this by getting in the bed, putting my back against the ceiling of the topper and standing up while sliding the 2x4 assemblies into place. I would definitely recommend getting some help for this.
8. Secure the topper to the eye bolts in the 2x4 assemblies with 2 ratcheting tie downs over the top.
9. Hook the ratcheting tie downs (the ones that you left hanging from your ceiling) to the same eye bolt that you used to secure the topper.
10. Ratchet the tie downs evenly, only doing a couple ratchets at a time before switching to a different one.
The Titan barely fits in the garage!
Slide the 2x4 assemblies that you made under the camper shell.
Secure the camper shell to the 2x4 assemblies using tie downs.
Ratchet straps hanging from the ceiling.
Start cranking!
Finished product!
Getting it down is a bit harder... I stood inside the bed, back against the top of the camper, and had friends that I trusted release one ratchet strap at a time, let it down a couple inches, and then I would set the camper shell down onto the ratchet strap. Did that over and over until it was on the truck.
Materials I used:
(2) 2x4 cut to 81"
(4) 2x4 cut to 6"
(8) 2 1/2" wood screws
(4) 1/2" Eye Bolts (I think they were 1/2", that may be wrong though) w/nuts
(4) 1/2" Metal Washers
(6) 10' Ratcheting tie downs rated to hold 500 lbs each
(4) 1/4" Toggle Bolts (We have metal studs) (1/4" was the largest lowes had in stock)
(4) 1/4" Eye Bolts (Use them instead of the bolts that come with the Toggle Adapter-wing-expander-thingy)
How I did it:
1. Secure the 6" long 2x4s to each end of the 81" long 2x4s (the outer edge of the 6" 2x4 should be 6" from the edge of the 81" 2x4) using 2 wood screws each.
2. Drill holes through the 81" 2x4s about 3" in for the eye bolts, be sure to drill a hole slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the 1/2" eye bolts.
3. Put the 1/2" eye bolts through the holes in the 2x4s and secure them using a washer and nut.
4. Drill holes through your studs in your ceiling where you will put the 1/4" eye bolts.
5. Put the 1/4" eye bolts+toggle bolt adapters through the holes in the ceiling.
6. Hang the ratcheting tie downs from the eye bolts.
7. Manually lift the camper shell and insert the 2x4 assemblies. I did this by getting in the bed, putting my back against the ceiling of the topper and standing up while sliding the 2x4 assemblies into place. I would definitely recommend getting some help for this.
8. Secure the topper to the eye bolts in the 2x4 assemblies with 2 ratcheting tie downs over the top.
9. Hook the ratcheting tie downs (the ones that you left hanging from your ceiling) to the same eye bolt that you used to secure the topper.
10. Ratchet the tie downs evenly, only doing a couple ratchets at a time before switching to a different one.
The Titan barely fits in the garage!
Slide the 2x4 assemblies that you made under the camper shell.
Secure the camper shell to the 2x4 assemblies using tie downs.
Ratchet straps hanging from the ceiling.
Start cranking!
Finished product!
Getting it down is a bit harder... I stood inside the bed, back against the top of the camper, and had friends that I trusted release one ratchet strap at a time, let it down a couple inches, and then I would set the camper shell down onto the ratchet strap. Did that over and over until it was on the truck.
