Removeing camper trailer top

Thanks for the reply, was thinking of something like this.
How did you attach ratchet end onto camper top.

I mounted 4 eye bolts into the frame to attach the straps. Was originally going to set up a boat winch setup as some of the others here have, but don't have enough height to work with :-((

Sounds good, I too don't have enough height really to walk around underneath so ratchets may be a cheaper way.

How dya get the boat winch to go backwards to LOWER the thing?

Bonz the boat winch has a locking pawl which can be released. Depending on the weight you are lifting and how well you've set the pulleys up (lack of friction) it will lower itself when unlocked so keep a firm hold on the handle. I find with the Shippshape which weighs approx 60kgs with the innerspring mattress that it will slowly lower itself with little effort to stop it with my hand always on the handle.
when it is in postion or you need to push or pull to line it up with the racks then you just flip the pawl back into lock it.
I've got a fair bit of friction in my system as I used nylon rope from the boat winch hook through eye bolts on the roof beams down to the Shippshape which gives me a bit of friction where the rope is through the eyebolts.

Thanks Geoff great idea will look into this some more.

Thanks Crackles Think I might do this and get up and out of the way.
Thanks again.

How much of a hassle is it to relocate the rack back on- in the right position???

As the rack is hung off the beam I simply reverse using the inside mirror to keep me in line then when the tow hitch hits the bench it's perfectly square the other way. (You could also use a tennis ball hung on a string touching the back window to guide how far back to go)
I just lower it down enough to get one bolt in at a time. About a 15 minute opperation all up on my own.

Cheers Craig............

Thanks peter I reckon the chains are a great idea + the boat winch.
Cheers DD

electric or hand winch Peter?

Just a manual boat winch the same as the one in the pic above.
They have a ratchet lock which you release and slowly wind the handle backwards to lower, then lock the ratchet again when it is in the required postion.
Depending on how much weight you are lifting it will lower itself once the ratchet is released so keep a firm hold on the handle.