Portable vehicular hoist systems include a truss assembly having a joist member with forward and rearward ends, a pair of rafter members each having upper and lower ends, and a forward connection assembly for connecting the upper ends of the rafter members to the forward end of the joist member to allow for relative pivotal articulated movements therebetween. The rafter members may thus be pivotally moved between a stowed condition wherein the rafter members are oriented generally parallel to the joist member and an operative position wherein the rafter members extend downwardly and laterally outwardly from the joist member. A hoist assembly may be provided so as to be connectable to the joist member of the truss assembly to be supported thereby. The rearward end of the joist member and the lower ends of the rafter members may be removably attached to respective connection lugs rigidly fixed to a vehicle's structure, e.g., an aircraft fuselage at an opening therein.