boat rack options on soft floor campers

[Azamagnum]

Hi all,

I'm considering adding a boat rack to our Southern Cross soft floor camper to carry our sons sail boat.

I have three ideas and would like opinions (honest ones !) on them all.

1. simple goal posts front and back. Front one could be permanent as it will be forward of the tent section, but the rear one would need to be removed to enable the tent to fold out sideways. (simplest but need to remove and store the rear bar)
2. simple goal posts front and back(Mk2). Front one could be permanent as it will be forward of the tent section, but the rear one could hinge like a gate on the drivers side attachement point. It would swing like a gate around to the drivers side away from the folded out tent section.(still simple and no need to remove the rear bar, simply swing it out of the way)
3. complex racks that are hinged on the drivers side down low on the legs. Ive seen photos of something like this were the rack remains tilted upwards while the tent folds out.(complex but no need to remove any bars)

Im leaning towards #2 if I can come up with a design rigid enough. Any ideas ?

cheers,
Aza

[robcaz]

Hi Aza,

Pros & cons for each design.....

Design one. Simple to use & you just need to put the rear frame under the camper when setup. Perfect if you are using the boat on weekend camping trips.

Design two. Having the frame on a hinge means when it swings open you will have to walk around it all the time unless it can swing up against the trailers side. Could also double as a clothes drying rack.

Design tree. A rack that hinges up one side over the erected camper is great if you are doing overnight camping stops & not using the boat as there is no need to take the boat off to set up camp.

[Albany Nomads]

I was about to submit some great photos for you ..but seams Im not aloud according to the site

[Albany Nomads]

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l51 ... CF1673.jpg

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l51 ... resize.jpg

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l51 ... resize.jpg

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l51 ... rijini.jpg

try again .................sorry they are links...but couldnt get the photos to be accepted

I had a four poster boat rack on our old softfloor camper
I ran a basket with solid nylon rollers rolling between the rack and over the top of the canvas.
The boat was just slid over onto the extended basket (nylon slides) when the canvas was needed to be erected.
Also the basket came in handy for carrying bulky but light weight gear such as camping chairs etc.
Ive now updated to a hard wall Coromal 455 mirage camper.
Sold the dinghy and now carry a canoe on the vehicle roof

Kind Regards

[robcaz]

Hi John,

You can find how to post photos in the 'forum help' section under the 'posting photos 101' heading.

[Azamagnum]

Hi John,

that's some pretty nice fabrication.

Our bed base (and canvas, bows etc) protrudes beyond the tailgate by about 100mm. I cant get my head around how to build something that can stay in place with the canvas folded out. My rear bar would have to extend beyond the tailgate and trailer chassis enough to clear the tent. This might cause problems by obscuring the taillights.

I need to sit and stare for a while.

cheers,
Aza

[robcaz]

Hi Aza,

On the Guiding Star trailer that our Track Trailer Eagle sits there are 50x50mm RHS welded towards the top of the wheel guard coming out front & back. On the back you can see this in my photo where I have a length of RHS with a rear view camera in it http://www.robcaz.net/newcanvas12.JPG

On the front the jerry rack slots into the RHS with provision for a H frame rack to sit in the 50x50mm RHS as you caan see in this photo where the rubber stone flap ends http://www.robcaz.net/newcanvas13.JPG

While this is not our Eagle, you can see how the racks fit

The racks are simply secured into position with pins & R clips on chains as you can see towards the rear in this photo http://www.robcaz.net/newcanvas21.jpg

[Albany Nomads]

Thanks Rob
Read up photo 101 and as such gave it an attempt
Cheers