HARKEN - Truck Cap Overhead Garage Storage Hoist, Self-Leveling, Safe Anti-Drop System, Easy One-Person Operation, Smart Garage Organization - 7806.12

I usually don't write reviews, but this product is so well designed and performs its function so well, I couldn't remain silent. Sure you might be able to put together a similar product by purchasing the individual parts in a local hardware store, but you wouldn't find the specialized parts found in this hoist that make it such a delight to use. Even if you did find all the necessary components, I doubt you would save much money and you certainly wouldn't save time.The block and tackle is pre-assembled and, due to the great design and clear instructions, is easy to install. I've had my Harken Hoister a year now, and although I don't use it often, it's invaluable when I do. I use it to store my tonneau cover when I need an uncovered pickup bed. I used to depend on my neighbor to help me remove the cover; not at easy task at about 145 lbs and the weight is all forward of the body when lifting it from the bed. Then there was always the risk of damage to the pickup. Now, I don't have to find anyone to help; one person can easily lift and lower it. And storage isn't an issue as the cover fits nicely between the raised garage door and the ceiling. If you need a hoist that is reliable, easy to use, and want to avoid the headache of trying to design one yourself, the Harken Hoister is definitely worth the price. I'm absolutely delighted with this purchase.

There are probably a few things you should keep in mind when planning to install this product. One is that it is much more difficult to work on the ceiling than on a wall. It is not quite like painting the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel, but everything is considerably more difficult. A second thing is that this is not something that you want to fail, as the box or boat or whatever could come down on your car, or worse, on your head. So you really have to get this right. I tried a less substantial hoist system in figuring out the two things above to store my cargo box on my garage ceiling, but then realized that neither I nor my lighter weight hoist was up to the job. As a result, I ordered this Harken Hoister and asked my handyman to make sure it was done properly. I know this handyman as he has done considerable work for me, including building frames around air vents on the ceilings of my house, so I know he was capable doing this right. In addition to figuring out the system, there were a few things he did to ensure that the hoist was installed properly. One was that he used the typical studfinder tool to find the joists through the wallboard in the ceiling, but then he also used a wallboard saw to check to find where the edges of the studs were, and located the pigtail lag screws exactly in the center of the joists. When each one was fully screwed into the joist, he tested the connection by putting his entire weight on a strap hanging from each individual pigtail screw, although only a few inces from the ground. The hardware and the system is of good quality, but I did find that the block and tackle cleat does not stay open when lowering the cargo box to the top of the car, no matter what angle I hold the cord. As a result, I have to use a yardstick to hold the cleat open while allowing the box to come down. Fortunately, the hardware works smoothly and it is possible to lower it with one hand while holding the cleat open with the other. One thing that I did like about the system is that it raises my cargo box all the way to the ceiling which was important for me as I do not have a lot of room between the open garage door and the ceiling. One other thing worth mentioning, and that is you have to have some room on the wall in front of the vehicle and boat, cargo box, etc. to hang the cleat for the hoisting rope. Of course, the garage shown in the installation manual (see link below) is entirely empty except for the vehicle, the boat, and the hoist, but I suspect most garages do not look like that. In my case, the hoisting rope had to be attached to a boxed in beam, which worked OK since the 'front wall' is covered with shelves and would not have been suitable in any case. [...] All in all, this is a great system if installed properly, and fortunately I realized early I was working on something that was over my head.

I had some reservations about ordering a soft truck cap. However, the price was right given It would only be used a couple of times a year. Read the directions carefully and lay everything out before you start to assemble. Assembly can be a bit tricky. You will definitely need to people to get the cloth cover assembled to the frame. Functionally the topper performed better than i could have hoped. Being very lightweight I was able to easily suspend it from my garage sealing to keep it out of the weather and out of the way when not in use.

I'm giving this three stars for a few reasons. I had a couple of bolts shear during install. I got more from the manufacturer, but it took a bit to find the right contact. The cleat does not stay open when you are trying to drop the load (in my case a roof top tent), I have to pop a bolt in the catch to hold it open, then control the descent via the rope, not the end of the world, but I wish it worked as described. Finally, I got the 10' ceiling version because I have 10' ceilings.. nowhere in the specs does it say how far apart your gatherer, and the hoist tackle block can be, but in my case , I needed to lift an opject above my garage door, with the tackle block at the other end of the garage. My garage is not large, but I was down to my last 1' of rope to get the straps low enough to go around my tent. had my truck been an inch or two lower, I would have been out of luck, and the only way to know this is on the last step of install. Howeve, apart from my odd bolt failure, the rest of the tackle looks to be of high quality, and the instructions got me 80% of the way there, it's easy to buckle and lift my tent up.

Works a treat! Using mine to build a studio workbench that hoists up to the ceiling. I've bought cheap hoists for bikes before that were rubbish. This is the real deal. More expensive, but made by Harken, who are world famous for making winches for ocean-going yachts. Read carefully the installation instructions before buying, and check it will fit where you want it. There has to be space across the ceiling for the rope when the hoist is lowered, otherwise it won't lower far enough. Also, note there is a minimum weight requirement as well as a maximum. Less than the minimum weight the mechanism is difficult to disengage.

Installation took a bit but the instructions were good. Hoist was perfect for storing our iKamper mini on the ceiling of our garage. Easy to use when installed.

Slightly longer than expected to install but perform really well once done. I use it to store an ikamper 2.0 ( 160lbs) in my garage. Easy to lift

This product is AMAZING used it to hang our small sailboat in storage. Instructions were very helpful.

Using this for a 2021 Jeep JLU Hardtop. very easy to install and feel safe leaving the hardtop hanging from it but I did buy a cart for it so I don't bang my head unintentionally. would recommend this hoist for hardtop removal or whatever else. Install tip, I used a laser level on the floor to mark out all drill points so I didn't need to be on a ladder measuring, very easy.