Getting a crane/winch fabbed for my RTT...

[kags1969]

So I just ordered a RTT and not sure that I want to leave it on all the time.

My garage is too short to fit in 4runner in with the tent on. So I have been researching what others have done and I am getting a RTT Crane fabbed up at a local Custom Hitch place.

The concept is very similar to a deer hitch hoist and gambrel except that it will have a much longer arm (like 5 feet).

The Idea is that you will place the tent 180* out right behind the 4runner, use winch straps to form a cross and attach at the cross, wench into the air and rotate onto the roof. Lower and disconnect.

I am thinking 20" off the roof should be plenty of room. It will be kind of a one trick pony but that is all I really need it to be.

Any thoughts?

 

[dirtrunnerdave]

Looks interesting! I have the same need and would love to hear what you finally decide on and how it works... so far I have been calling on friends to help me get it on and off for various trips.....


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[NWFLBowhunter]

Should work just fine. I'd have it made of aluminum to make it less cumbersome to put together.

 

[kags1969]

Looks interesting! I have the same need and would love to hear what you finally decide on and how it works... so far I have been calling on friends to help me get it on and off for various trips.....


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I went by the fabricator this am and did a test fit. We tweaked the height and looked where the crank fell, etc. It is made out of 2" round pipe, heavy and heavy duty. That 5' long arm really adds weight.

I am going to have to develop a technique to get this thing on the truck by myself. Creating new problems to solve old ones...

It is two pieces. The receiver hitch and lower round receiver tube. The lower tube is ~ 20" tall. The upper unit is probably 6-6.5' tall with a 5' arm. I asked for a couple of handles to get welded on, so hopefully that will allow for better manipulation.

Forgot to take pics this am.

 

[kags1969]

Should work just fine. I'd have it made of aluminum to make it less cumbersome to put together.

Aluminum would have been nice but I think much more expensive, it is much harder to find good TIG welders.

 

[NWFLBowhunter]

Aluminum would have been nice but I think much more expensive, it is much harder to find good TIG welders.

Oh I agree on that, but if I was having to do it alone, it would be worth it.

 

[dirtrunnerdave]

Looking forward to your pics... I like your thinking so far!


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[TK-422]

I am going to have to develop a technique to get this thing on the truck by myself. Creating new problems to solve old ones... .

Maybe he can fab you up a crane to install your crane....

eep:

I had to blow up that tiny attachment to see it better but why not put 8" wheels on the back. You could then just roll it into the hitch and lock it in place.

You could use a 4" swivel caster wheel up front so it could turn or a trailer jack to adjust the height.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I am going to keep an eye on this, since I am looking for a new house that has either a side yard or a 3 car garage that I can get into.

This would be a great option for the side yard option.

 

[kags1969]

Maybe he can fab you up a crane to install your crane....

eep:

I had to blow up that tiny attachment to see it better but why not put 8" wheels on the back. You could then just roll it into the hitch and lock it in place.

You could use a 4" swivel caster wheel up front so it could turn or a trailer jack to adjust the height.

I like this idea, I should pick up the crane this week and will see if its workable or needs some thing like the wheels.

 

[kags1969]

So I picked up the RTT Crane today but will not get to use it for a day or so. It is beefy and heavy. It is basically two parts. I will need to develop a practical way of installing and uninstalling it. The hitch is a little loose, need to find an anti-rattle kit for it.


I will let everyone know how well it works or doesn't.

 

[kags1969]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I successfully used the crane on Saturday to place my RTT. It worked as intended. I didn't have the tent perfectly balanced, but was able to keep it level with a hand on it and it swung around very easily.

The hard part was taking the crane off the truck by myself. I ended up using a drywall step and straddled the bumper and the step to pick the crane up. I will need to try a different technique next time I use it.

I think a folding arm or fabbing from aluminum would be better, although more complicated. The long swing arm just makes it awkward.

 

[5ontheFloor]

I think it's a good solution given your problem. I often have to do awkward work on truck and house without a good extra pair of hands. I had to design a pulley system to install my roof rack by myself. It still needs tweaking to work right but I know how you feel