Versalift anyone?

[Letfreedomring]

Every year around this time of having to drag all the Christmas gear and tree down out of the attic then trying to shove everything including the big assed tree box back up that flimsy ladder in the garage, I get to thinking how nice it would be to have a versalift or equivalent.
https://versaliftsystems.com/pages/pricingHas anyone ever put one in or make their own? I figured it wouldn't be too hard to make one out of aluminum or steel square tubing cage and a horror freight electric hoist.
I've seen people who've made something similar for their jeep hardtop or truck camper to lift it up out of the way when not in use. Just curious how hard it would actually be.

 

[montesa]

I wouldn’t think it would be too hard if you can weld. You could also use pulleys for mechanical advantage and manually lift/lower it.

 

[montesa]

Maybe a pulley/block and tackle system with a boat trailer winch and rope clutch. I would probably try something like that.

 

[dennishoddy]

I think the versa lift is a great idea. Load it on the floor, lift it and you’re done.
I have similar to the same problem but this is the last year we will.
The giant Christmas tree with all the lights is going to the pond to become fish habitat. All of the ornaments like bulbs, etc are going to the thrift store after wife decorates her last tree.
That last tree will be 4-5’ tall and fit completely inside a cardboard box fully decorated, to be brought out for the holidays, put back in the box and put in the attic.
This weeklong nightmare of getting the giant tree down, assembling it, along with boxes and boxes of ornaments, wreaths, statues and so on, with the same nightmare happening to put the tree back up in the attic.
The high stress level we have had every holiday season to have the “perfect” setting Is done.

 

[Letfreedomring]

I think the versa lift is a great idea. Load it on the floor, lift it and you’re done.
I have similar to the same problem but this is the last year we will.
The giant Christmas tree with all the lights is going to the pond to become fish habitat. All of the ornaments like bulbs, etc are going to the thrift store after wife decorates her last tree.
That last tree will be 4-5’ tall and fit completely inside a cardboard box fully decorated, to be brought out for the holidays, put back in the box and put in the attic.
This weeklong nightmare of getting the giant tree down, assembling it, along with boxes and boxes of ornaments, wreaths, statues and so on, with the same nightmare happening to put the tree back up in the attic.
The high stress level we have had every holiday season to have the “perfect” setting Is done.

I like the way you think! I just wish the wife would get on board. Charley Brown was a genius! Lol.

 

[DDriller]

I worked with a guy that built one using an electric boat winch for the lift. He made his own frame out of square tubing and platform from plywood.

 

[38Super]

About 6 months after we moved into our current home, I had one installed. Best money ever spent.

 

[Ready_fire_aim]

I’ve installed a couple for clients. Not too hard if you have some residential construction skills and a reasonable amount of tools.

They are quite overpriced for what they are though

 

[GlockPride]

I bet @swampratt could southern engineer you one that would work pretty well and hold a Corolla.

 

[38Super]

They are quite overpriced for what they are though

That may be so but at 58 years old, it is cheaper than a trip to the ER when you take a spill climbing up and down those attic stairs with totes, etc.