Best Car Roof Box Hoist & Storage Systems

Car roof box hoist systems offer an easy and practical solution for storing your car roof box when it is not in use. Depending on the load capacity of your hoist, you can even store fully loaded roof boxes. Then, you’ll be ready to hit the road once you reattach your box.

If you do not have a ceiling hoist in your garage, taking your roof box off your car and storing it can be quite a hassle. More often than not, it requires a lot of elbow grease and unwieldy manhandling.

Hoists not only keep your car roof box out of the way, they also facilitate the dismounting process, as the box goes directly from your car roof to your garage ceiling.

A sturdy well-built car roof box can set you back a pretty penny, so it makes no sense to store it offhandedly on the floor. Not only will it take up unnecessary space, it will also leave your car roof box vulnerable to dirt and scratches at best and mold, disfigurement and vermin at worst.

A high well-engineered quality hoist, if maintained properly, can last you a lifetime. It will give you peace of mind that your equipment is secure and easy to access. Conversely, a shoddy hoist can lead to frustration or even injury, as well as damage to your car roof box, car or garage.

There are a lot of hoists out there to choose from. Deciding which one is right for you can be a daunting task. Luckily for you, we have put on our researcher hats and combed the internet for the top five car roof box hoist systems.

When approaching the task of finding the best car roof hoist systems money can buy, we put ourselves in the mindset of the buyer. We are confident that every hoist on our list is of great quality. They can get the job done.

• Rankings
• Finding a Roof Box Hoist System that Fits Your Needs
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How We Ranked Our Top Picks
• Research & Reviews

What is the height of your garage?

If you already have a car roof box, chances are the height of your garage accommodates your car with the box installed on it. Bear in mind, however, that this alone does not guarantee that you will have enough clearance once the hoist is installed.

If you have a tall vehicle, a large roof box and a low ceiling, you might end up with an uncomfortably snug fit in your garage. When calculating the clearance under a hoisted roof box, a rule of thumb is to factor in at least a foot of space to accommodate for the hoist and sag.

What is my garage ceiling made of?

All roof box hoists are designed to be used in garages, but the layout and structure of your garage ceiling can limit your options. For example, if you only have a single roof beam, your best bet is to go for hoist with a two-point mounting system, as both installation points would go into the beam.

There are workarounds to these types of problems, but they involve extra expenditure and structural upgrades of your garage. Hoists are held up by screws and anchors, and the type of screws and anchors depend on what you will be drilling into. A wooden beam and a concrete slab, for example, require quite different approaches when installing your hoist.

How much effort do you want to put into hoisting your roof box?

All roof box hoists work on the same simple principle. They consist of ropes or straps and one or more pulleys. How the pulley system is activated determines the amount of physical effort needed to hoist the box from your car roof to your ceiling.

By hand, car roof box hoists can be operated by either ropes or cranks. Hoists that require you to pull on a rope require the most physical strength, which could be a factor if your roof box is heavy or you want to hoist a box full of heavy stuff.

Winch-operated hoists have cranks much like those on retractable awnings. They are somewhat easier to operate.

Electric hoists require no physical strength on your part in order to operate. An electric motor does the heavy lifting (without the use of a step-stool or hitch step bumper); you just have to press a button. All of this convenience comes at a cost, as electric hoists are far more expensive than manually operated ones.

How much weight are you planning to hoist?

Not all hoists are equal. All of them have a limit when it comes to the amount of weight they can safely take on.

When choosing a roof box hoist, it is good to have a ballpark figure for the maximum amount of weight you will realistically need to hoist. An inexpensive lightweight hoist can do the job just fine if you are plan on using it for storing a small, empty roof box; but you will need something beefier if you want to store your box fully loaded.

While some hoists are great at keeping your box level while hoisting, you will always be at risk of tipping you load your box unevenly. Be aware of the box’s center of gravity. Put your heaviest items in the middle for maximum stability.

How bulky is your roof box?

Roof boxes range from those no larger than a hefty suitcase to huge ones that cover the entire car roof. There are hoist systems to accommodate for all shapes and sizes of roof boxes.

Two-point mounted hoists are sufficient for smaller or narrower roof boxes. Larger and heftier boxes require four mounting points and pulleys to increase stability.

People most commonly use straps and belts to secure roof boxes onto ceiling hoists. Take note of their length when reading product specifications so you can be sure that they are large enough to accommodate your box.

Type

The type of hoist system is determined based on how the hoist is raised and lowered. The three types of roof box hoist systems on our list are crank operated, rope operated and electrically powered hoists. The first two are manually operated, while the third requires a power source in the form of an electrical socket.

Max Load Weight

The maximum load weight is specified by the manufacturer. It represents the largest amount of weight a properly installed unit can safely hold without malfunctioning. There might be variations to this number, depending on where and how you install the hoist.

Product Weight

A heavier hoist is not necessarily a sign of quality or higher carrying weight, but the weight of your chosen hoist system might be significant for other reasons. Plan on moving and taking your hoist system with you? A heavy electric powered hoist system could be impractical. Heavy hoists might also require sturdier installation techniques than more lightweight ones.

Points of contact

The points of contact stat is one that we came up with. They do not list it in most official  product descriptions.

Put simply, it is the number of places that the hoist system is connected to, i.e. screwed into, the ceiling of your garage. More is not always better, as a single secure mooring into a structurally stable roof is worth more than several moorings into a flimsy one.

In most cases, however, it can well be seen as a measure of stability; along the lines of: the more points of contact, the better. It is also a useful piece of information to have when making plans on how to install your hoist system. It will tell you whether or not you can install it without having to do additional structural reinforcements.

Why even remove my roof box?

Although you can simply keep your car roof box installed on your car, there are a lot of advantages to storing your roof box when it is not in active use. The most obvious drawback of not storing your roof box is security. If you leave it on your car for a prolonged period of time, you could leave yourself open to theft.

Leaving your car roof box on could result in another, less obvious losses you could incur. According to several studies, just driving with a roof box can increase your average fuel consumption by up to 25% due to aerodynamic drag. The weight of the box and its contents alone will make your car more fuel-hungry. That is because it is additional weight that needs to be lugged around.

Lastly, it makes sense to take your car roof box off when not in use, as this will prolong its lifespan. Leaving it open to the elements on a regular basis can result in damage and wear, especially from rain, snow and humidity.

Can anyone use rope/crank operated hoists?

The hoist systems on our list are simple to use, but rope hoists do require more upper body strength than crank-operated ones. Using gloves when lowering or raising your roof box using a rope-operated hoist system can increase your comfort and make the process easier. As with any system that has heavy moving parts, you should keep children away from the hoist, especially when you are using it.

Will I need an extra pair of hands for mounting and removing my roof box?

While you might need help from a friend to lift your roof box onto your vehicle, hoisting it from your car roof is by and large a one-man job. You will not need any brute force.

However, you will need attention to detail to ensure a safe and balanced lifting and lowering. Every hoist on our list has a locking mechanism that prevents your roof box from lowering too fast or dropping if you suddenly let go of the rope or crank.

How do I prep for installation?

The first thing to be aware of is that you will, more likely than not, have to purchase your own installation supplies, as most kits do not come with all the necessary hardware. To put it simply, there are a lot of different types of garage ceilings out there. There is no universal set of screws and other installation hardware that works for all of them.

In some cases, you will need to buy additional hardware, such as two by fours or other structural materials. For example, if your ceiling studs or beams are too far apart for optimal fitting, you will need to secure additional beams. It is best to double-check before purchasing. It won’t hurt to consult a construction professional.

Can I hoist a fully loaded roof box?

There are many situations where it makes sense not to unload your roof box every time you store it. For example, if you are an avid scuba diver you might want to keep all of your heavy equipment in your roof box between dives.

Every hoist on our list has a maximum load weight that is provided by the manufacturer. However, you should always take this number with a grain of salt. Try to avoid pushing the maximum load weight in order to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

Can I modify my hoist?

In most cases, once your hoist is installed, you will not need to make any modifications or upgrades. That being said, both the wheels and ropes are prone to damage from intensive use.

These parts are inexpensive and can be purchased in any hardware store. If you notice any wear on either your wheels or ropes, be sure to replace them on time to avoid failures.

Can I install the roof box hoist system myself?

Great question, with a simple answer: it depends. It depends mainly on how experienced you are with basic construction and how stable your garage ceiling is. If you do not know how to install the hoist in a secure, stable and safe way, it is best to call in the experts.

Conversely, if you are an old hand at DIY and construction projects around the house and have the right power tools, you will be able to install the hoist system yourself. All of the hoist systems come with comprehensive installation instructions and operating manuals, so there is no guesswork.

Even if you have the skills and tools for the job, if you are not 100% sure of the carrying capacity of your ceiling, it would be well worth getting a second opinion from a construction engineer.

Does the hoist system come with everything I need to install it?

Some hoist systems do come with installation hardware such as screws and anchors, but bear in mind that these might not always be the best option. Your choice of screws, bolts and anchors should be compatible with the material and sturdiness of your garage ceiling.

For example, a concrete ceiling requires completely different types of screws and anchors than a wooden ceiling beam. If you are not sure of what screws, bolts and other paraphernalia you need to buy in order to install your hoist, check with your local hardware store.

How do I maintain my roof box hoist system?

If you use your hoist with the proper care, it should give you decades of reliable use. To ensure the longevity of your hoist system, it is highly advisable to inspect it thoroughly from time to time for signs of wear and material fatigue.

If you notice fraying or damage on your ropes and straps you should replace them immediately. You will more than likely be able to find inexpensive replacement parts in any well-equipped hardware store. Apply a mechanical lubricant, like WD-40, to pulley wheels if you notice them snagging or squeaking.

Last but not least, make sure that your roof box is dry and clean before transferring it onto your hoist. Moisture, dirt and grime can have an adverse effect on both your car roof box and hoist system. Wipe down your roof box after every use; a towel and some water and detergent should do the job.

Will my garage door get in the way of the hoist?

Depending on what door opening mechanism you have in your garage, it might or might not impede your ability to hoist your storage box directly from your car roof. Side hung doors will not get in the way of your hoist. Roller shutter doors won’t, either, but sectional and gravity doors might.

Does your garage door opens inwards and upwards toward the ceiling? It might get in the way of the hoist. Measure carefully and account for clearance heights to avoid nasty surprises once your hoist is installed. In some specific cases, you might have no other option than to hoist your roof box from the floor as opposed to directly from your car roof.

What type of hoist is the easiest to use on a frequent basis?

If you plan on using your hoist regularly, it makes sense to have an idea of how physically demanding this is going to be. Pulling a rope or turning a crank to hoist your storage box requires some upper body strength, and this could be a challenge for some users.

When it comes to ease of use, electric hoists are the best in show. They do not require any physical effort to operate, apart from pushing a button. Once you have attached your box to the electric hoist, the entire lifting process takes far less time than it would if you were using a manual hoist.

How low will my roof box hang when lifted?

Apart from the dimensions and load weight of your hoist, another measurement that could be relevant is the height clearance. In other words, how low your box will hang from the ceiling once you have hoisted it as high as it will go.

This is a number that is not provided by manufacturers, mainly as it depends on the shape and size of your box. Stiffening the load carrying straps with pool noodles or something similar will give you an extra inch or two of clearance.

Is the roof box level while hoisting?

Some types of hoist systems automatically keep your roof box level while hoisting and lowering, like electric hoists and most four-point hoist systems. Others, like two-point mounted hoists require some skill from the hoist operator.

These hoists have two ropes that move the two separate load-bearing straps. Pulling on just one or the other will raise the front or back of your roof box. This can be useful for fine-tuning the position of your hoisted roof box. Pulling on both ropes at the same time results in an even lift.