Removing bed cap without a hoist

Ok well with spring finally here I am going to want to start hauling my dirtbike around so I needed to take my cap (what some call a camper shell) off. I don't have a garage or I might have rigged up some sort of hoist or rope contraption. As it was, I had to figure something out in my dooryard so here's what I came up with. Oh, and I wanted to be able to do this by myself. I have had help in the past which meant just lifting the thing off with one or more people on each side but I felt like being a bit more self sufficient. Having a few stepladders around I thought the following setup might work and turns out it did.











At this point I just wheeled my utility trailer around to my back yard until I come up with a better and more secure storage solution, probably hide it under the deck or something.



Ready for hauling duty.

 

Thats pretty ghetto. My HOA would not approve. lol
You still needed another person to help right? You didn't do that all by yourself.

 

Yes its ghetto. No I did not have any help, that was my point. I got in under the cap laying down and used my feet to lift it while positioning the boards. Getting it from the boards back down to the trailer was a bit more tricky and I did that standing in the trailer. One end at a time. Laugh all you want, it worked.

 

Sorry. There is no way in hell I am believing that you laid on your back in the bed of the truck, lifted the topper with one foot and finagled a 2x4 into place. And then did a 180 while still laying on your back to finagle the other 2x4 into place for the other end without tipping over any ladders. That topper aint light.
Set up a video camera and do it again.

 

I believe it, I do it every time by myself with a larger shell, full size ford longbed. Except I don't lay on floor of bed, I squat down inside bed, find balancing point, push my back up against shell, and lift with my legs, I still have my arms free to move the boards. My back really never appreciates the job, but after a couple beers, and a good nights rest, back to just normal pains.

 

Thats what I did with the topper off my "88" 4runner. It was a pita and I lost balance more than once to have it come crashing to the floor. I just dont see it happening lying on your back with that kind of distance.

 

I move mine by bending over in the bed and lifting the shell on my back. I've always at least had someone there as a spotter though, they're sketchy to move on your own.

 

Perhaps I'll set up a video camera when I put it back on.
I'm only 5'-10" woth a 30" inseam and I had no problems (not like its a circus trick or anything). I used both feet though, not just one.

 

I certainly would like to see it.
And as much as I would LIKE to see it, I certainly do NOT want you to hurt yourself in anyway trying to prove a point.

 

I've lifted it and put 2x4's under it to fix the front seal on my own , I don't see what's so unbelievable

 

Try it on a windy day! Getto yes, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

I believe you. I removed one using a very similar method many years ago. Mine involved trees and ratchets straps, but the idea is the same. I laid in the bed and pushed the top up on one end, got the board in place with my arms. Then spun around and did the same on the other end. Worked well enough for me! Hell I left the damn thing hanging from a tree until I needed it again about a year later!

 

Ok... i'll bite. What the hell is dooryard?

 

Laying on your back in the bed and using your feet? Or with your back?

 

Noun1.dooryard - a yard outside the front or rear door of a house

Its a Maritime (Atlantic Canada) and sometimes New England phrase that basically means but is not entirely limited to your driveway.

Picaroons (New Brunswick, Canada) Dooryard Summer Ale is tasty:



As is Oak Pond Brewing's (Maine) Dooryard Ale:

 

I just think for the time it takes to grab a neighbor, wife, gf, teenager or going thru all this to prove a point that you can do it yourself with no help and possibly personel injury is just foolish. It has to take you an enormous amount of time to take it off or put it on.

Still would like to see the video.
No I wouldn't.
Yes I would.

 

I bend over in the bed and lift the cap up with my back using my legs , this leaves both hands free

I do one end at a time

 

We have already discussed this theory. A few people have used it including myself.

 

It's not a theory , you asked me how I do it

 

^^^^^^