Lifting a Camper off a Trailer

Had my camper tent section fitted to my usual box trailer...4 bolts to remove.. stored the top bit in my storage shed, used 4 chains fixed to rafters, 4 eyes on camper, reversed trailer into garage, lifted back then front then back then front ...on hooks... just me & the missus...make sure its empty of annexes,etc.

Built my own first camper trailer some years back. It sat atop a standard box trailer. For storage it simply slid sideways across the trailer until it tilted one edge down to the ground then leaned up against the wall next to the trailer. To remount it was leaned against the trailer then the low side lifted and slid on. At no time was I lifting more than half the weight and then only at waist height. No risks.

I lifted the camper section off my Trak Shak when I first got it. I initially intended to get rid of the box trailer and use the Trak Shak trailer for general use. I changed my mind, I wanted to keep the trailer clean for camping gear and clothes. The old 7x4 is still in service 14 years later.

To lift the camper I used a winch with a clutch lock. So; I wind the handle one way and the load goes up. I wind the handle the other way and the load goes down. I let go of the handle on the winch and the load stays where it is, at any stage of the lift.

I reinforced the roof frame of the garage and mounted a pulley system as high as I could get it in the roof. This was designed to provide 4 lifting points at the load, becoming 2 lines and then finally one line onto the winch.

I simply attached the 4 lifting points to the camper undid 4 bolts and winched it up to the roof. I then attached 4 short chains to the lifting points and it sat there out of the way. Replacing the camper was simply a reverse procedure. The big problem was that the dust sealing between the camper and the trailer was very susceptible to damage. I was not happy about that and as I said above decided not to continue the practice. But it was relatively easy and can be done.

The winch is available from any good materials handling supplier.

Duncs