RTT Storage Ideas?

[yedi]

This is really a two-part question that I'm hoping to get some ideas on from folks who are much better at engineering than I am. I'm currently running a Maggiolina AirTop on my Tacoma. I've got it mounted on low profile bars, but it still sticks up quite a bit, and that's not a great thing for the urban environment where I live. It'd be nice to be able to take it off the truck every now and then. I've seen the ceiling-mounted hoists that people use to pull their tents up and out of the way. Those look great and I have a small, one car garage that I can use for storage. Only problem is the truck with the tent is too tall to get into the garage. So the first question is: has anyone seen a portable way to pull these tents off roofs (short of plying my buddies with beer - i'd like to do this solo if possible)? I was thinking of some kind of deal that I could wheel in and out of the garage, raise, and attach the hoist to lift the tent and then allow me to wheel it into the garage. Almost like a tall shop crane, but something less heavy duty. Second question, when storing RTT, I've only ever seen them stored horizontally. Can you store them vertically, like up against a wall, or will that damage the lifting mechanisms?

 

[burnoil]

Not sure if this would help you, but check this out for mounting with only one person:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7r0hGS5uDM

Also, I have been storing mine vertically for two years back and forth from mounting on my FJC. No issues at all.

 

[Mike S]

It usually takes only two people to remove or replace a Maggiolina (or Columbus). They can be stored vertically on the side or on one end. Works fine.

 

[Lemsteraak]

I helped a guy repair his Maggiolina once and it had to be the most torn up, ugly tent ever. The gelcoat on the bottom was gone in places and there were scratches right into the glass. Turns out he was a river guide and would take this big tent off his truck himself and drag it over the rocks and set it up by the river. I though, pretty cool, like sleeping right on the water. It was pretty simple how he got this tent on and off by himself so I adapted his system and use it for my Columbus.

The bottom of a Maggiolina and Columbus is pretty much flat so they slide really easily. Also if you take out the mattress, the boxes then become pretty light. So, I store my Columbus on end and use a big hand truck to move it around. Then when I want to put it on my "truck" well Volvo XC, I throw a heavy movers blanket over the back edge of the roof and lean the tent against it. Then you just lift up the bottom and slide it onto the bars. Taking off is even easier, just the reverse. It is similar to the video but the Maggiolina is easier because it is twice as long so you can do it from the ground. I got so that I could mount it and drive away in about 15 to 20 minutes easy. The mover's blanket is critical, the mounting bars on the bottom of the tent could scratch.

 

[andrewh]

I use a lift system, have to air down and ratchet strap the rear axle. ( Air down to 5 psi enough pressure to keep the rim from running on the tire) and ratchet down to almost the bumpstops) One man operation. Takes about 15-20 on and off.





Its the rancor lift

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009I8AO6/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1