Storing a roof rack

I had that set up , nothing to it . cheap boat type winch motor , on the roof beams . winch off and use 4 rino traps to keep it there. If you can back the car in the shed , then dont worry about the winch motor , secure 4 rino strapps and pull up in each corner individually , takes 5 min and done

What like this...........
Boat winch bolted vertically to a post with 2 cables run through a double pulley then 2 single pullys placed at each end of the rack.
Cheers Craig....................

A similar, but simpler system is to suspend 4 strong metal hooks (one in each corner) from the roof to a height a couple of inches above each corner of the roof rack. I use the larger garden pot hangers. Just unbolt the rack, then it is quite easy to lift just one end of the rack at a time and hook it over the hooks. I have a very heavy steel full length rack and it still is quite easy to do just one end at a time. It only has to be raised a couple of inches to hook it over. I can do the back standing on the rear bumper and the front standing on the running board. Dropping it on is just a matter of carefully positioning the car and doing one end at a time. If you have an alloy or anything less than full length, the weight is no issue at all like this.

Kev, Mine is tied up to the roof with a couple of ropes, I was clever and got the 12v boat winch, awesome with the remote control BUT it only goes one way, Oh well beats the block and tackle I used to use. Prior to that with a timber ceiling used the hook method above and lifted the cnrs but it was awkward to position the car right to out it on., mind you my rack is home made and heavy as!

Found these 240 Volt winches, maybe the go? Winch

I have a manual winch which is fitted with a clutch. Wind the handle one way and the load goes up, let go of the handle and the load stays put, wind the handle the other way and the load goes down.

I have 4 pushbikes hung on mine, it previously held a roof rack, and I trust the winch. I always thought I should put a safety strap of some description on it but after 2 years of trouble free operation I no longer feel the need.

Got mine from Reflex materials handling for about $90 but that was a few years ago now. I use sail boat pulleys (2nd hand) and 8mm nylon cord from the same boat chandlers

Duncs