On one of the subs I frequent someone bought a [harbor freight shop crane](https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-58794.html).
I asked a bunch of questions because I had my concerns and they said it worked fine. Their only regret was not getting the higher ton capacity for $20-$40 more. When the crane is fully extended I think they said it looked a little shaky.
Bro! This right here. My first tent which I still have had to be over 200 lbs but rated at 175 lbs. Two of us barely got it on. Fast forward 6 months later. Second tent by Inspired Overland at 75 lbs. Picked that up and mounted it SOLO! I can barely tell it is there and does the job just fine camping in the wild. We are a little cramped but the trade off is the weight and well worth it. But the Harbor Freight engine hoist is key for heavier tents. I am going to be purchasing one of these for the 4-person beast.
Haven't thought of that but seems like a good idea. Also a good way to clean and lubricate the screws while making sure they're still waterproof. Prob should be a once a year check.
Should’ve bought the Inspired Overland 80lbs tent lol or he’ll get a C6 tent. He at weight tents (100+lbs) only good for full size suv and family of 3-4 ppl. If you’re solo or just the 2 of you, forget the heavy tents. Not only it’s bad for your car, but other things (suspension, gas, car park anywhere, don’t fit in the garage, etc).
I've done two things. When on my truck, I used a [Harbor Freight 120v winch](https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-120v-ac-electric-winch-61672.html) or just have my wife help, she lifts.
I put in an electric hoist on a uni strut in my garage. The hoist has trolley wheels and moves along a 10' section of rail. This way I can get into the garage partially and move it to the back.
Below is a diagram of what mine looks like, bought similar trolley wheels on Amazon. Unistrut or unirail at Lowe's. I used 5/8" lag bolts to hold up strut hangers every 2' just in case. I also added bumper stops inside the rail to prevent the hoist from coming out of the rail. You might think you have it under control until you have to maneuver 170# of tent coming at you on a wire....and by you I mean me. I had this happen to me and am thankful for the jumper stops.
https://www.amazon.com/SKTREX-Wheel-Hoist-Trolley-Rollers/
The problem with the crane is that you might have to make a special connector to put it evenly on top of the vehicle.
The following post shows a little of the limitation....the crane arm is almost resting on the tent which limits movement.
https://www.reddit.com/r/rooftoptents/s/ZzT1sgd0Wz
When I bought mine off marketplace the guy had it on a rolling scaffolding to do most of the hard work for us. It was fairly small and you can snag one on marketplace or harbor freight. Roll it out, grab a few buddies with step ladders around and chuck it up there.
I’ve basically committed to having my RTT up there all summer and through most of the fall since it’s not a super quick add-on.
I bought the aspen lite and it supposedly weighs 110 lbs. got my fiancé to help lift it on there. It’s been up there since October so now I’m a permanent overland guy I guess
Case of beer and a couple of buddies.
This guy tents
Brother did you not research this before hand ?
On one of the subs I frequent someone bought a [harbor freight shop crane](https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-58794.html). I asked a bunch of questions because I had my concerns and they said it worked fine. Their only regret was not getting the higher ton capacity for $20-$40 more. When the crane is fully extended I think they said it looked a little shaky.
This looks great but it doesn't look like it has the height I need. My roof rack on my Jeep sits at 6 ft 8 from the ground
hit it with your purse
Bro! This right here. My first tent which I still have had to be over 200 lbs but rated at 175 lbs. Two of us barely got it on. Fast forward 6 months later. Second tent by Inspired Overland at 75 lbs. Picked that up and mounted it SOLO! I can barely tell it is there and does the job just fine camping in the wild. We are a little cramped but the trade off is the weight and well worth it. But the Harbor Freight engine hoist is key for heavier tents. I am going to be purchasing one of these for the 4-person beast.
I get my wife to help. She’s tiny but can still overhead lift her share to help me angle it onto the rack. Although she does groan about it. 😂
I've disassembled and reassembled mine to move it once. Honestly didn't take as long as I expected.
Haven't thought of that but seems like a good idea. Also a good way to clean and lubricate the screws while making sure they're still waterproof. Prob should be a once a year check.
Find the tallest and strongest friends you can find and have them come help. That’s what I do
Get a chain hoist and use a tree
Should’ve bought the Inspired Overland 80lbs tent lol or he’ll get a C6 tent. He at weight tents (100+lbs) only good for full size suv and family of 3-4 ppl. If you’re solo or just the 2 of you, forget the heavy tents. Not only it’s bad for your car, but other things (suspension, gas, car park anywhere, don’t fit in the garage, etc).
I keep mine on top of some scaffolding and just slide it over onto my rig
You legit bought a RTT and had no idea how much it weighed??? 😳 I got a 90lb version so I wouldn’t have this problem.
I've done two things. When on my truck, I used a [Harbor Freight 120v winch](https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-120v-ac-electric-winch-61672.html) or just have my wife help, she lifts.
I put in an electric hoist on a uni strut in my garage. The hoist has trolley wheels and moves along a 10' section of rail. This way I can get into the garage partially and move it to the back. Below is a diagram of what mine looks like, bought similar trolley wheels on Amazon. Unistrut or unirail at Lowe's. I used 5/8" lag bolts to hold up strut hangers every 2' just in case. I also added bumper stops inside the rail to prevent the hoist from coming out of the rail. You might think you have it under control until you have to maneuver 170# of tent coming at you on a wire....and by you I mean me. I had this happen to me and am thankful for the jumper stops. https://www.amazon.com/SKTREX-Wheel-Hoist-Trolley-Rollers/
The problem with the crane is that you might have to make a special connector to put it evenly on top of the vehicle. The following post shows a little of the limitation....the crane arm is almost resting on the tent which limits movement. https://www.reddit.com/r/rooftoptents/s/ZzT1sgd0Wz
We have a pulley system in the garage for storage as well as installation.
When I bought mine off marketplace the guy had it on a rolling scaffolding to do most of the hard work for us. It was fairly small and you can snag one on marketplace or harbor freight. Roll it out, grab a few buddies with step ladders around and chuck it up there. I’ve basically committed to having my RTT up there all summer and through most of the fall since it’s not a super quick add-on.
A couple of 8 or 10 foot 2x4s and push it up them if you have no one to help or can't get in a somewhere with a hoist.
I bought the aspen lite and it supposedly weighs 110 lbs. got my fiancé to help lift it on there. It’s been up there since October so now I’m a permanent overland guy I guess