Lifting campershell by yakima racks

Anyone ever use your yakima racks to lift a camper shell off a truck? I can't find anything on net about doing this.

-Brian G

Oh, I thought you ere going to share an entertaining video......maybe later?

Allen   

Brian, I installed some Thule racks on my shell last year and was wondering about the same thing. I haven't tried to lift mine off since I put the racks on though. I bolted mine on the sides of the shell with the Thule artificial rain gutter mounts so my guess is that I could do it but it would definitely strain the fiberglass around the mounts. jim

Hey Lodi Guy is this on a import or a full size PU camper?
I wouldn't do it on my GMC shell.I have the thule bars on the adjustable tracks. I think it would hold it, but it would stress the towers more than I'd like.

You wont stress the fiberglass but you might stress the faux drip rail or the tubes.When you are loading shit on the racks the clamp has the lip to go against to prevent slippage of the clamp. Reverse the strain and it might come off. Try it with vid rolling please. The shells weight is around150 iwould guess for a 8ft. depending on the manufacturerer. We take them off all the time when working on truck bodies. I was just on the Leer site and couldnt find the weight specs. I did notice that there some rack mounts that bolt directly to the top surface of the shell. With the proper reinforcement plates under the mounting pads I would consider this appropriate to be able to lift the rack from the crossbars using a 4point lifting system.

With the proper reinforcement plates under the mounting pads I would consider this appropriate to be able to lift the rack from the crossbars using a 4point lifting system.

Agreed. If the 8' bed weighs-in at 150#, and you use a 4 point lift, assuring equal lift at each point simultaneously, that is less than 40# per attachment point it should be fine.

I believe you may get that much uplift at times at highway speeds. I would lift it off this way, but would not leave it hanging by the yakima rack for storage....

You could also just make a sling out of rope or nylon strapping front and rear.

just use really thin rope and have a vid rolling! Kiddin' i bet it would hold for removal

Don't lift it from the Racks!

(2) 2x4's or 2x6's , 4 eye bolts, and (4) ratchet straps.

Unclamp the shell get inside the bed and lift the shell just enough to slide under the wood. Attach the ratchet straps to each corner with the eye bolts and to the garage rafters. Ratchet them up to clear the truck and drive out from under it. You can either leave it suspended or set it down on a set of saw horses. One man Job and easy to put back on.

Similar to the picture below.