Garage Pulley System Question

[Far-I]

I did a couple quick searches but came up empty. I am looking for any of the threads that show peoples homemade storage systems for their ice fishing gear in the summer, up above everything else.

Maybe some of you have done this as well, and would like to share what works and what doesn't. Thanks a ton!

[TRITC]

I went through the same process and found the Racor system. Just do a quick search and you'll find some hits on it for around $140 - $180. Lifts up to 250 pounds and it looks like it would fit most portables and "some" gear. Kinda depends on how much gear I guess.

I haven't purchased one yet so I can't give you any personal experience. Might be a possible option to a homemade solution.

[Tom7227]

Be sure to not overload the trusses. They aren't made to hang stuff from and if you overdo it you could cause some serious problems. You'll probably be Ok with the portable just don't fill it up with a lot of stuff that's heavy.

[MinnesotaMike]

Far-1

I'll take a picture of what I have and try to post it Thursday.

Real simple, I put 4 old style bike hooks in the rafters and cut some rope to hang the portable from. I can pull it up to the rafters using some tie down straps and once to the right height I hook up the ropes.

Good Luck,

Mike

[randerson]

you could get a couple block and tackle pulley system from Tie Boss and build a platform to raise up and down.

[CJH]

I went through the same process and found the Racor system. Just do a quick search and you'll find some hits on it for around $140 - $180. Lifts up to 250 pounds and it looks like it would fit most portables and "some" gear. Kinda depends on how much gear I guess.

I have one of these and they are awesome. Store the porty and my auger up there in the offseason. You can either crank it by hand or use a power drill. I spanned 4 trusses perpendicularly to spread out the weight. If you can afford the price I would recommend it. My friend liked it so much he went out and bought one himself. The wives definitely like that it us up and out of the way!!

[Cheetah]

Google for "bike hoist". There are a bunch on the market for bicycles you could either modify or build your own from pictures to handle other types of gear.

[Far-I]

Thanks for the responses. I am looking forward to a picture if you post it Mike. I checked the Racor system...looks very nice. maybe interested in saving a few bucks on a simpler solution, i am just renting a house at the moment and this would be just a somewhat temporary rig...that said it isnt completly out of the question to buy it and take it with to the next house...its just that every spring i get an itch to fiddle with stuff thinking i am a "do-it-youyrselfer" (when in fact i am not ) and since i am out of boats to modify i thought this would serve the handy-man purpose hahaha. (with plenty of ideas and advice from you guys of course.

[Macgyver55]

I made one using an old hand crank winch off a boat trailer. Mounted it to the wall and ran the cable through a couple of pulleys and down to a "tray" with all the stuff on it. Cranked it up then secured it with chain when it was in place.

[MinnesotaMike]

Here ya go.

This is a view of the back, I just put some eye hooks in a board to support the bottom.

Front view, I attached the rope to the front hitch pins.

The wife has space to park her car under it. With a ladder and some straps I can get it up and down in about 10 minutes. Stores all of my gear the weight is not an issue.

Good Luck,

Mike

[311Hemi]

Mine's similar to Mikes. I used 4 eye bolts and two of the rope systems you can get a fleet farm that have two hooks and a locking pully. Works fine to put up and take down once a season. I just hook the hooks right to the end of the tub, although if I did it again or when I get time I may put a couple 2x4's under it instead of putting the stain on the tub.

[MNice]

Hemi, looks like you have 1/2" parallel with the trusses. Have you noticed the sagging has increased, or about the same??

[311Hemi]

I don't think it's sagging any more that what it was when I first moved it.....slightly if any. It does hang down roughly 1/2" in the middle of each sheet on the ends. It's 5/8's with vapor barrier and blown insulation on top that was installed by the previous owner. Too big of project to rip down and do right, not sure if I will do much about it unless it starts letting loose. I thought about just running furring strips lengthwise over the whole thing, perpendicular to the trusses.

[MNice]

Wow, I'm surprised 5/8" would sag that much. I hope it holds up for you. Don'tcha hate when previous owners screw things up??