To anyone that has removed a cap, is this crazy?

Build a pergola style carport if you can't use the garage for overhead hoisting. Either you need a hoist system or you need to rethink your topper.

For storage, I would put it on a customized wheeled cart, solid plywood base with 2x4 supports underneath. Wheeled because you want to store it out of sight where it's not an eyesore or temptation. Solid base because things that are stored low to the ground as you want are a neon-lit invitation to rodents and insects.

 

Absolutely not. You'd be trusting the bolts (that are less than 1/4" I believe) that hold the roof rails on the cap, and risk ripping them straight through the fiberglass with that amount of weight. The cap needs to be supported from the bottom.

 

How do people lift in garage run straps between bed rail and cap?

I was thinking 4 rings on roof rail?
Good thing I don’t need it removed yet.

 

Ideally you'd slide a pair of 2x4's underneath. I know people do straps or hooks, but that would make me nervous personally - those are going to introduce lateral stresses to the fiberglass, and long term, it might be worrying over a nothingburger, or it might be just enough to deform or crack around the rear hatch.

 

1st rig I’ve had with the fiberglass cap I’ll just leave it on I like it on anyway!

 

Maybe something like this could be made to work: https://www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jacks/Brophy/CJ31.html?feed=npn | Shop - Camper Jacks&adgroupid=91321603372&campaignid=293732897&creative=404001548819&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9033169&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgLW89tf4_wIVEfDICh2nSQVNEAQYASABEgIPG_D_BwE

Since canopies usually have very little overhang, you would need to figure out a way to support it on the shelves of the jacks. Maybe 2x4s across under the canopy with the ends resting on the jacks.

 

would be a couple times a year. trying to reduce weight for towing a camper i hope to buy. thanks for advice

 

think i would need 2 or 4 to keep it stable?

 

Last time I had wife help with something, she pinched a finger so bad it broke it & damaged the nail bed. That was 5 years ago & the nail fell off & never grew back. Find a guy/neighbor to help.

 

Sounds like you might have bigger problems than an additional 150 lbs in tow then. Maybe aftermarket leaf springs/airbags should be in your near future. But, to keep to your original topic, if you're needing a solution for 2-3 times a year, thats probably not worth the investment for some wild hoist/lift system. Get some 2x4's, eye bolts, and ratchet straps and call it a day. Or some 2x4's, sawhorses, and a neighbor.

 

airbags for the truck?

 

One on each side is enough, just make sure it's balanced. When I was a kid we used these on a full sized 9ft. camper. They were stable enough to lift the camper and set it on the ground or put it back on the truck.