Thread: Installing a ute crane - will this work?

How much does it miss by? Is an air spring conversion viable (to enable kneeling to fit under the carport)?

Sounds alright.

Most problems with a vehicle mounted crane that I have seen relate to the crane base being installed in a corner of a ute tray, and then loads which are too heavy pull the tray down unless a hi-lift is supporting that corner - would not apply in your proposal.

I've often thought they may assist ageing types like me get spares off the roof safely

I rigged up a 3 line pulley system fixed to my carport frame to raise the RTT on and off the Defer. The carport has ample clearance for the RTT to be lifted off the ground, reverse Defer under and lower onto back. Getting the plates on the RTT to line up with the mount holes is a RPITA when solo but manageable.

I'd go with a land based crane/pulley system. Unless you see use for the crane when away from home. A tray mounted crane is just inviting your mates to hit you up to move stuff on the misapprehension that a crane will make light work of it.

Is your roof top fitted to the canopy or onto of cab?

If it’s on your canopy You could use your towbar to slip the hoist into.....

Gday, love the idea and I'm glad to hear people actually take them off when not using them..they seem to be have become an accessory for show rather than purpose...sorta like tow mirrors ugly micky mouse things fold them in when your done for Christ sake.
Rant over the only issue I can see with the one in the picture is the winch system. Once you raise the base you may struggle to reach the winch, easy enough fix but something to think about.
Also I'd use pins (maybe with testing) rather than bolts in the extension dismantle it easier. Installing it on the def is a good idea also if you can get some more use out of it other than the tent, other wise your carrying the weight of the crane all the time for nothing.
Good luck hope you post some pictures when your done
Cheers Jim

Originally Posted by LRJim

Gday, love the idea and I'm glad to hear people actually take them off when not using them..they seem to be have become an accessory for show rather than purpose...sorta like tow mirrors ugly micky mouse things fold them in when your done for Christ sake.

i suspect that the effort to get it on the car has forced the owner to leave it there, as you say, as an accessory. If i didn't have the pulley there would be buckleys to get it on an off without 3 other mates. with a 130 i have the benefit of a deck to stand on. in a 110 or any 4x4 sedan necessitates balancing on wheels, door jams and anything else that gives you a toe hold. Add a 1.2m x 1.4m 50kg box to the equation and you quickly get to "stuff the extra fuel".

Originally Posted by MLD

i suspect that the effort to get it on the car has forced the owner to leave it there, as you say, as an accessory. If i didn't have the pulley there would be buckleys to get it on an off without 3 other mates. with a 130 i have the benefit of a deck to stand on. in a 110 or any 4x4 sedan necessitates balancing on wheels, door jams and anything else that gives you a toe hold. Add a 1.2m x 1.4m 50kg box to the equation and you quickly get to "stuff the extra fuel".

^^ Absolutely.
Mine is definitely not left on there for show - only because its a PITA to get on/off, and I'd have to find somewhere to put it when removed.
Mind you - mine's not a daily drive either.

I'm picking you'd need a crane arm about 1.5m long at least to get to the center of the RTT, and IMO installing/removing that arm with winch etc would be a PITA.
Like MLD, I'd be looking at a land based system, but curious to know what's the complexity of the existing carport that would require it to be completely demolished/rebuilt to make it higher?
Generally they are a relatively simple job (not saying quick) of disconnecting the roof structure and raising it, then adding the extra height to the walls/poles etc to support it at the new height, then lowering the roof down again.

Steve

hmmm all good ideas...

The RTT sits on top of the canopy, so fabricating a mount that slips into the tow bar using 50 x 50 x 4mm wall RHS might be the way to go.

I do like the idea of having the crane permanently mounted onto the truck somehow as I also carry a second spare wheel/tyre on the roof rack.

Looking at the example ute crane in my first post, I think I will replace the hand winch with a remote controlled electric winch.

I'll buy the crane first then start head scratching some more

Cheers