Despite the negative reviews, this item is easy to install and works very well for hoisting roof-top boxes, kayaks, and canoes. I recommend first fastening 3 - 2"x6"x42" boards to the ceiling to simplify installation. This makes for a very sturdy installation, allows you to install parallel or perpendicular to the rafter direction, and eliminates the issue of rafter spacing. The center brackets accept 5/16" lag screws, and the pulley brackets accept 1/4" lag screws. I used 5/16" x 3-1/2" lags to fasten the 2"x6" boards to the ceiling rafters and 2" long lag screws to fasten the brackets to the boards. The vertical weight rating of the lag screws exceeds the weight rating of the Multilift.

We have a two story house. What irks me is the template is designed for 16" spaced floor joists versus the 22" in new construction. So if you're not comfortable with how to build anchor points then don't buy this product. Use #8 screws for the lift mechanism and #12 screws for the anchor boards and pulleys. The rope is plenty long enough to lift the cargo box off of my car and we have an 11' ceiling. Once installed, it works great.

The length of the rope is accommodates lifting the kayak off the roof of the vehicle, not from the garage floor. I had to purchase additional rope strong but thin enough to go on the rollers not cheap; added an additional $60 to the venture. It would be good if they upped the gear ratio to make the raising a lowering a bit faster. All in all, good product.

Works great. I ordered this to store our XL Thule on the garage ceiling. Setup was easy.

I love my Thule roof top carries. They are awesome! But the MultiLift is total junk.

Don't buy it!!! It's not setup to be installed with a normal ceiling joist layout. Which wouldn't be horrible if the MultiLift allowed the layout to be customized to match different ceiling options. But it doesn't your stuck with a fixed installation layout that won't work for most US customers. Buyer beware, you'll have to bolt a bunch of wood planks on your ceiling, then screw the MulitLift and it's parts to that. A total hack. ;-(

Works fine, but can be built with $20 at Home Depot.

Here is my install. It has worked great no issues over the 1+ years in PHX. However, as the others have stated, the instructions were lacking. Hopefully, Thule does not abandon these support items. This has given me a system that I can use without consuming valuable floor space.

Thule recently updated from the 571 to the 572 (I assume the older review here is of the 571 model). The correct hardware was included and I had no problem installing it myself into drywall and/or studs. Instructions were accurate, and the rope seemed to be long enough for most garages. The only issue I had is that I have 12 foot ceilings and a Subaru Outback, and the rope was just short enough that I had to add my own extension (not difficult at all). Also, if the winder was longer, I wouldn't have to step on my tire to get up there. Again, this is because I have extra tall ceilings. Future consideration is to attach the winder to my drill for faster raising and lowering. Overall, a great product to help with your garage storage! I show it off to neighbors.

I have had the lift installed and functioning in my garage for almost 25 yrs with no issues.

Ordered my Multilift direct from Thule and as I read through the installation "pictures", not actual text-based instructions, it was indicated that the lift is capable of lifting 220lbs/100kg. That's great, but my concern is, how can this claim exist when no fasteners are provided that are also capable of supporting that same claim of 220lbs/100kg? I'm not certain that I've chosen the appropriate fasteners to support the lift and the 220lbs/100kg of lift that is indicated in the manual. I wonder if there's any further info that is available regarding the type or style of fasteners required?