Harbor Freight has a truck bed crane for $99 ($89 in the store) that I finally got installed in my Tundra: Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I did this to allow me to safely move my anvil in and out of the truck bed when going to demos and HABA meetings. Works slicker than snot on a glass doorknob! I bought a 48" length of 800# chain and a matching link and made a figure 8 with the removable link at the cross point. I slip the loops over each end of my anvil and hoist it up with no effort at all. I hate all this mechanical claptrap but the orthopedic surgeon that fixed my back said no lifting for a year. OK, gotta keep my back warranty in effect so the crane will be used.

Now you just need to make sure and use it.
I've wanted one of these for loading logs in my truck.

I think you made a good investment.. Thx for sharing with us..

Wish I could find a small cargo net that would allow me to load bags of fertilizer, sakcrete, etc, with this crane. Anybody got any ideas where to get one?

army surplus?

some trucking co. usw a fishnet type curtain to secure cargo, maybe you can find some discards and cut to suit you or maybe a thinnish piece of flat with corner hooks and a chain 4 leg sling? let us know, jimmy

Don't know about over there in the states, but here in the UK stables for horses use a net to hold hay in hung on peg in the wall, or at the rear of horsebox if at shows.

If you know anyone that lives by a harbor, they sometimes pile up used fishnet that they pull out of the channel. I use some to secure loads to the dump. really tough stuff.

I would suggest That you make you a box, That you could lift up into the tail gate, And have a gate type set up on the box so you can slide out what ever you lift up. Not sure what you would want to make it out of.. Probably alum..
You could also take a 55 Gl drum and cut it in half, "longway" and make you a gate on one end, and You put wheels on it, So when you lift something up in the truck you could roll it to the area you want it,,Then dump it out,Then go get some more stuff to put in your truck.

Edited October 25, 200817 yr by WagonMaster

Wagon Master, another good idea, Thanks! I might be able to find a small wagon (kids type or garden) and it would allow me to load, unload and pull it to where ever it is needed.

He doesn't call himself WagonMaster for nothing eh? :-) In the event you didn't want the "wagon" floating around the back of your truck during the trip back and forth a rectangle of 3/4 inch plywood with a rope sling would work as well. For the really heavy stuff reinforce it with 2 X 4's.

You can also use an old heavy canvas tarp for a sling load. Cut it square size to suit, grommets on each corner, S hook to hold the corners together.....you got a dandy bag to hold odd shapes and bags of stuff without it falling out or rolling off. Use the Little Red Wagon on the ground to haul stuff to and from the truck.

I could use one right now because i have a stove to load
in my truck. Il get one next summer to pick up some metal at the dump
and also the heavy rocks i pick up in the pits for my stone projects.

After a week or two of wondering if someone would try to steal the moveable part of the crane (Houston area, remember) I just took it off and now leave the boom in the garage. When I need it, I put it back on the post that is bolted to the bed and frame. I coated the inside of the post with Lithium grease to prevent rust, too. I am begining to evolve a design for a pallet with lifting eye-bolts at the corners and some heavy duty rope to hang it from. Thanks for all the input!