How To Build Custom Storage for a Camper Shell

A camper shell is a must-have accessory for many outdoor adventurers, but there is always a time and place where you need to get it out of the way so you can use your pickup truck to, well, pick stuff up. A simple custom storage setup for the canopy is easy to put together and use in your garage or carport.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Two large eyebolts
Two pulleys with associated hardware
Two cam cleats
30 feet of 100-pound test rope

Step 1

Measure your truck canopy.

Step 2

Establish where your canopy will hang. Mark the dimensions of the canopy on the rafters where the canopy will be suspended.

Step 3

At the right side of where the canopy will hang, attach two eyebolts, one 6 inches inside the front of the canopy's length, one 6 inches inside the rear of the canopy's length.

Step 4

On the left side of where the canopy will hang, corresponding to the two eyebolts, mount the two pulleys.

Step 5

Mount the cam cleats. These can be mounted on a rafter near the pulleys, outside of the canopy area, or on a wall on the pulley side of the storage area.

Step 6

Attach 15 feet of rope to each eyebolt and let it hang.

Step 7

To store the canopy, thread the rope underneath the front and rear of the canopy. Thread each rope through the matching pulley and use the rope to slowly and carefully lift the canopy off the truck. Once the truck is away, the ropes can be secured in the cam clamps, ready to be lowered back when necessary.

Tips & Warnings

Always wear goggles when using power tools.

Article Written By Beau Prichard

Beau Prichard has been a freelance writer and editor since 1999. He specializes in fiction, travel and writing coaching. He has traveled in the United Kingdom, Europe, Mexico and Australia. Prichard grew up in New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Arts in writing from George Fox University.

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