How do you store your portable??

[McGurk]

For the Racors: I added 2' of lightweight chain to the ends of my each of my cables instead of replacing the cables entirely. Loads easier and cheaper, and I didn't need to get the platform within 2' of the ceiling anyway so nothing was lost. Adding and winding too much cable can be a problem, though, as the cable tends to pull off of edges of the pulleys as it winds too far down the spindle (hard to explain). I had it happen once on one pulley at the top of the wind.

[CaptainMusky]

Good idea mcgurk. Better than adding a ton more cable.

[B@ssmaster]

A variation on going4it's theme. Use the same big game rope hoists, add a pair of pulleys ($3) and an old light duty boat winch ($8-10). Mount the winch on a wall, hang 2 pulleys above it, hang the 2 rope winches up in the rafters spaced slightly less than the length of your portable, and run the ropes from the hoists over to the pulleys and down to the boat winch. (Remove the boat winch cable or strap and secure the ropes to the winch spindle). I made 2 slings out of scrap ropes that slide under/around the portable. Clip the hoists to the rope slings. Quick and easy. (Be sure to use ratchet straps or other pieces of rope to tie the house up once you hoist it up into position.)

[lindy rig]

Guess I could just purchase the Racor and figure out what modifications are best once I get it. Thanks for the ideas of swapping cables and/or adding chain for length. At 14' I almost wish my garage ceilings weren't so high..

[Finns]

To keep mice out; what others may have said. To store in rafters; block and tackle for lifting.

[JakeJ_Mn]

I store my popups and my one man sled house in my wheelhouse with bounce dryer sheets. Always make sure no matter what that your house is DRY before storing.

I raise my larger sled house up to my rafters in the garage with slings and my ATV winch. Once up, I secure it with ratchet straps and put dryer sheets in the folds and tub and lay a few around the edge of the cover.

[JoeMX1825]

For the Racors: I added 2' of lightweight chain to the ends of my each of my cables instead of replacing the cables entirely. Loads easier and cheaper, and I didn't need to get the platform within 2' of the ceiling anyway so nothing was lost. Adding and winding too much cable can be a problem, though, as the cable tends to pull off of edges of the pulleys as it winds too far down the spindle (hard to explain). I had it happen once on one pulley at the top of the wind.

I see how adding some chains could work, I just purchased 50' of cable at Lowes for like $20, cut it in half and use 25' per side... I've thought of getting metal rollers for the cable channels on the track, just for added security over the plastic ones...with the height of the Otter folded with the cover on, there's about 3' of space from the platform to the ceiling when stowed, the cables are slighty off center, but nothign to worry about.

[CaptainMusky]

I've thought of getting metal rollers for the cable channels on the track, just for added security over the plastic ones...

Not a bad idea. I thought about adding larger diameter ones to increase the leverage and possibly make it easier to winch up.

Side note, speaking of plastic, they round piece that the cable goes through on the pulley snapped on me this winter. It was my fault. I had the lift as low as it would go which in my garage is about 18" from the floor. I had my son helping me and just asked him to push against the opposite side of the lift, while I lifted the house on there. When I set it down and then walked around the other side he moved and the lift pushed over and the house slammed to the ground snapping that plastic piece. I called Racor up and they sent me a replacement overnight so that was nice, but I have definitely thought about getting that piece machined out of a different material.

[McGurk]

...I have definitely thought about getting that piece machined out of a different material.

I saw that as being a weak point also. I even considered drilling 2) holes into the shaft and running the cables through it and bypassing those pieces completely. Might weaken the cables and the bend point, though. These lifts can be dangerous with 200+ lbs of gear is supported over your head, and there are a number of noted cases where they collapse their loads from the upper limits. I am honestly surprised there have not been any deaths attributed to these things with their availability and all of the future Darwin Award recipients out there (not that I am going to stop using mine).

[CaptainMusky]

I walk under mine very quickly. :-)

[JoeMX1825]

I was going to make 4 fall back chains about 3' long that are mounted to the ceiling and connect to the eye bolts with caribiner clips, just for the added safety when suspended.

[otterman91105]

The racor system works great. Best idea i have seen for putting up a portable in the air.