Go from a cover to a camper top
01-10-2013, 08:38 AM
#21
Senior Member
01-10-2013, 09:26 AM
#22
Senior Member
We have had good success with Leer at our store.
Buck
01-10-2013, 09:29 AM
#23
Senior Member
ATV & John Deere
I had one a long time ago on my first truck. Got it to go camping, and I spept in the back. They are very useful for storage, but since I throw my bikes and quad in the back, not practical for me on a regular basis.
It was a pain to put on and take off, a pain to store, and makes it hard to use the rear view mirror. ........
It was a pain to put on and take off, a pain to store, and makes it hard to use the rear view mirror. ........
It's heavy, but I can remove/install it by myself. I bought 4 strong J hooks and screwed them into the garage rafters spaced about 7' wide and 6' long. I bought some marine rope and 4 strong marine pulleys, and two 2X4's eight feet long. I drilled a hole into each end of the 2X4. The rope was cut into 4 lengths 16' long so they could go to the ground if needed, and threaded through the pulleys.
With all clamps holding the cap removed, I back my truck into the garage. I get up into the truck bed with the two 2X4's resting where I can get to them. I hunch over, put my back up against the cap roof, and with my hands on my knees, I push up just enough to slip one of the 2X4's under one end across the truck bed rails. I go to the other end and do the same thing. So the truck cap is now sitting on the 2X4's with one about a foot from the tailgte and one about a foot from the cab.
I get out, grab the rope and push one end through the hole in the 2X4, and tie a couple of big knots on the end so it won't slip through. I do this with all 4 ends of the two 2X4's and then starting at one side, I pull down on the rope which lifts the 2X4 up a couple of inches and tie it off. I keep doing this on each of the 4 ends of the 2X4. Sometimes it takes 3-4 trips around the truck to get it high enough to clear as you drive out.
I didn't like it that the cap is now suspended about 5' off the ground, so i position 2 saw horses below the cap, and start to loosen the ropes, one at a time and letting the cap down a couple of inches at a time. I inch it down, just like I inched it up. When it gets to the saw horses, I feel safe that it won't fall but I still keep the ropes snug on the 2X4.
This takes me about 20-30 minutes from start to finish, and beats haveing to call 4 buddies to help. The only drawback is I lose my spot in the garage to the cap. I have the best of both worlds. A truck to go get dirt, or a truck that I can take my 3 wheeler into the woods, or a place to sleep when I'm tired on long trips, and keeps the hunting clothes dry.
01-10-2013, 02:38 PM
#24
Senior Member
On my last truck, I bought the TW series which is tall at the back and level with the cab at the front. With this cap, I can ride my ATV or my John Deere lawn tractor into the truck by ducking down as I enter. I can also take washers/dryers.
It's heavy, but I can remove/install it by myself. I bought 4 strong J hooks and screwed them into the garage rafters spaced about 7' wide and 6' long. I bought some marine rope and 4 strong marine pulleys, and two 2X4's eight feet long. I drilled a hole into each end of the 2X4. The rope was cut into 4 lengths 16' long so they could go to the ground if needed, and threaded through the pulleys.
With all clamps holding the cap removed, I back my truck into the garage. I get up into the truck bed with the two 2X4's resting where I can get to them. I hunch over, put my back up against the cap roof, and with my hands on my knees, I push up just enough to slip one of the 2X4's under one end across the truck bed rails. I go to the other end and do the same thing. So the truck cap is now sitting on the 2X4's with one about a foot from the tailgte and one about a foot from the cab.
I get out, grab the rope and push one end through the hole in the 2X4, and tie a couple of big knots on the end so it won't slip through. I do this with all 4 ends of the two 2X4's and then starting at one side, I pull down on the rope which lifts the 2X4 up a couple of inches and tie it off. I keep doing this on each of the 4 ends of the 2X4. Sometimes it takes 3-4 trips around the truck to get it high enough to clear as you drive out.
I didn't like it that the cap is now suspended about 5' off the ground, so i position 2 saw horses below the cap, and start to loosen the ropes, one at a time and letting the cap down a couple of inches at a time. I inch it down, just like I inched it up. When it gets to the saw horses, I feel safe that it won't fall but I still keep the ropes snug on the 2X4.
This takes me about 20-30 minutes from start to finish, and beats haveing to call 4 buddies to help. The only drawback is I lose my spot in the garage to the cap. I have the best of both worlds. A truck to go get dirt, or a truck that I can take my 3 wheeler into the woods, or a place to sleep when I'm tired on long trips, and keeps the hunting clothes dry.
It's heavy, but I can remove/install it by myself. I bought 4 strong J hooks and screwed them into the garage rafters spaced about 7' wide and 6' long. I bought some marine rope and 4 strong marine pulleys, and two 2X4's eight feet long. I drilled a hole into each end of the 2X4. The rope was cut into 4 lengths 16' long so they could go to the ground if needed, and threaded through the pulleys.
With all clamps holding the cap removed, I back my truck into the garage. I get up into the truck bed with the two 2X4's resting where I can get to them. I hunch over, put my back up against the cap roof, and with my hands on my knees, I push up just enough to slip one of the 2X4's under one end across the truck bed rails. I go to the other end and do the same thing. So the truck cap is now sitting on the 2X4's with one about a foot from the tailgte and one about a foot from the cab.
I get out, grab the rope and push one end through the hole in the 2X4, and tie a couple of big knots on the end so it won't slip through. I do this with all 4 ends of the two 2X4's and then starting at one side, I pull down on the rope which lifts the 2X4 up a couple of inches and tie it off. I keep doing this on each of the 4 ends of the 2X4. Sometimes it takes 3-4 trips around the truck to get it high enough to clear as you drive out.
I didn't like it that the cap is now suspended about 5' off the ground, so i position 2 saw horses below the cap, and start to loosen the ropes, one at a time and letting the cap down a couple of inches at a time. I inch it down, just like I inched it up. When it gets to the saw horses, I feel safe that it won't fall but I still keep the ropes snug on the 2X4.
This takes me about 20-30 minutes from start to finish, and beats haveing to call 4 buddies to help. The only drawback is I lose my spot in the garage to the cap. I have the best of both worlds. A truck to go get dirt, or a truck that I can take my 3 wheeler into the woods, or a place to sleep when I'm tired on long trips, and keeps the hunting clothes dry.
The joys of owning a garage. I wish I had one.
Your system seems sound.
Take Care
Green Gem
01-10-2013, 04:05 PM
#25
Senior Member
GM Guy
Sounds like a good way but on the last 3 cabs i had, is a dripp-edge that is thin and goes a little past the trucks bed. I couldn't possibly put a 2x4 under it and let it rest on that thin edge. With my luck, it'll break. Once off, it can sit on saw horses alright. Done that too. I need a forklift!!!
Sounds like a good way but on the last 3 cabs i had, is a dripp-edge that is thin and goes a little past the trucks bed. I couldn't possibly put a 2x4 under it and let it rest on that thin edge. With my luck, it'll break. Once off, it can sit on saw horses alright. Done that too. I need a forklift!!!
01-10-2013, 04:12 PM
#26
I bought a used cap for my truck at the end of this past summer. I bought it STRICTLY for my trip from MD to FL in Nov. I kept the cap on for about 3 months. it was a love hate relationship for sure.
during the trip as well as my annual camping trip in mid sept, the cap was a god send. I loved every thing about having a cap. lots of storage, firewood stayed dry and on the FL trip, it was great for my wife to crawl back there and sleep while I drove FOR HOURS AND HOURS.
but on a day to day basis, I HATED that thing. I hated the way the truck looked and the way it handled with the cap on. and when I would do my scrap steel run, having to climb up inside and throw out heavy azz brake rotors while bent over to fit under the cap really did not do my back any favors.
once my trip to FL was over I had my cousin over to help take the cap off as soon as I could. I thought I was gonna leave it on for the winter, for added weight in case we got some snow. but I just couldnt take it any longer. its now in my backyard sitting on some cinder blocks, and unless I need it form some dry hauling in inclement weather, that is where it will stay.
but its always nice to know that it is sitting there if I need to use it for something.
during the trip as well as my annual camping trip in mid sept, the cap was a god send. I loved every thing about having a cap. lots of storage, firewood stayed dry and on the FL trip, it was great for my wife to crawl back there and sleep while I drove FOR HOURS AND HOURS.
but on a day to day basis, I HATED that thing. I hated the way the truck looked and the way it handled with the cap on. and when I would do my scrap steel run, having to climb up inside and throw out heavy azz brake rotors while bent over to fit under the cap really did not do my back any favors.
once my trip to FL was over I had my cousin over to help take the cap off as soon as I could. I thought I was gonna leave it on for the winter, for added weight in case we got some snow. but I just couldnt take it any longer. its now in my backyard sitting on some cinder blocks, and unless I need it form some dry hauling in inclement weather, that is where it will stay.
but its always nice to know that it is sitting there if I need to use it for something.