Straps for hanging hardtop

[Jack H.]

Anyone have a good source for, or ideas for straps to hang a hardtop from the rafters? Don't really like any of the carts I've seen and hanging would get it out of the way of danger of damage.

[Jack H.]

Re: Straps for hanging hardtop

Methinks, once you invest in a strap based hoist and use it for any appreciable length of time, you'll come to understand the wisdom of using either a cart or simply standing the HT up against the wall!

I've yet to see a system where the straps don't BITE into the side and rear bow weatherstripping and deform the rubber over time...

[Jack H.]

Re: Straps for hanging hardtop

I've just been standing it against the wall but was concerned about the rear rubber weather strip. It is almost 50 years old. Like you, it concerned me that the top putting pressure on the location of the straps could also be a bad thing. Wouldn't the cart be just as bad on the rear rubber strip as standing it against the wall?

[Peter V.]

Re: Straps for hanging hardtop

Jack,

I installed four plastic coated open hooks in the ceiling of my garage about three feet wide and five feet long. I took some nylon clothes line cord and tied one end to one hook, ran it through the other hooks and left it loose at floor level. Next I placed a double layer of corrugated cardboard on the loose cord and added a layer of terrycloth (old towels) on top of the cardboard. Next place the hardtop, painted side down, on the terrycloth surface and hoist the whole thing upward. The cord slides easily in the plastic hooks as it goes up. Once up, it sits almost touching the ceiling and you simply tie off the last end. For safety, I also added two more hooks that go through the two brackets used to bolt the hardtop to the car. Been there for a year and no problems.
I'll send a pic if that helps.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Straps for hanging hardtop

Thanks to Jim Weeks for this great idea. My hardtop is out of the way hung on the wall safely. Thanks again Jim..

[Jim W.]

Re: Straps for hanging hardtop

Thanks Tim. I've used this method for 30+ years with about six different hardtops. Jim

[Greg A.]

Re: Straps for hanging hardtop

If you still want to try a system to hang it from the rafters, serach "Harken Hoister". I use one for hanging the Yakama Skybox from the rafters, but pretty slick for canoes, etc. Amazon.com has them at the best price.

Greg.