camper trailer boat racks

[bellasea]

Just as a matter of interest - has anyone every noticed the absence of boat loaders on camper trailers that actually have a boat attached when they are demonstrated both no line and even at a show.  Having just finished mine, it works and operates a treat without the boat attached, BUT even with 4 X 22mm. gas struts (actuated with 800NM each!) it is still a manual task and needs to be operated very carefully, both unloading as well as returning to the trailer, without the boat.  I have to say though, I hate to think how difficult it would be without the gas struts.  The boat is only 3.3mtrs (Savage Gull) and weighs about 50-60kilos.  Would appreciate any comments.  Regards DWM

[Taz64]

If you use the search function you'll find other posts in this site which rfere to similar issues and gas strut re-gassing

[bellasea]

Trying to estimate the loading or pressure required for individual tasks is a nightmare where gast struts are concerned.  Have you ever tried to hold 2400NM with one hand while trying to locate a stop method and avoid being belted by a steel mechanical monster?  You really should try it sometime.  Agreed, the gas struts are adjustable with varing pressures being able to be applied, easy if you know exactly what setting you require.  Not to mention the difficulty experienced trying to fit the struts under those types of pressures.  I worked it out eventually so now every other boat rack builder will go through the same hassels.  Trying to get it right in different applications is very  hard.  I have got to the stage where I can actually operate my camper trailer boat rack with the boat attached, with the aid of a lever, stoppers and pins to set the loader at a verticle level al on my own.(I'm 65 by the way).  This is acceptable in my book.  It is not in the too hard basket and I'm happy with the end product.  It is just that I was hoping for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow where everything is perfect but alas, not to be.  I will have a look at things down the track, maybe improve the design.  Unless you start somewhere, you can't expect to get to the end.  Just remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals and engineers built the Titanic.

[Woodsie]

Ive come up with 2  differing concepts for my boat loader and as you said the trick is to get the struts right
concept 1 low pivot loader. and concept 2 split pivot loader.
Still in the design stage atm

[bellasea]

Hi Tony - yes I agree most heartedly with your approach to the boat rack concept on camper trailers.  With 4 X 800NM. gas strtuts on my model, and a 'split system' that hinges approx. half way up the 4 corner posts, it virtually has to travel through 180 degrees both unloading and loading a boat.  The big problem  as I see it, is  getting those pressures right for the system to operate efficiently in 'both directions'.  If you are satisfied with a loader that 'drops' the boat on its side  then has to be man handled fully  and returned the same way, thats fine but at 65 I try to make things a bit easier.  With the system I have, the struts help initial opening, then assist by not letting the rack, whilst loaded, drop onto the ground too hard.  BUT when you take the boat off, wow, hang on to the rack because it wants to go the other way real quick as the strut is more compressed in the lowered position than in the closed position on top of the trailer.  I have thought of the hydraulic ram system, such as a portapower where you can 'pump it open' and control the load onto the ground, then pump it up off the ground  and control its loading back onto the trailer, simply by slow release of the valve fitted on a hydraulic hand pump.  This aspect would only work where the rack hinges through 180 degrees.  I will be interested in your comments.  Regards DWM

[jclures]

This is the reason I did not go down the road of a conventional boat loader, I could not see how I could build a boat loader that worked for me.
I opted to just use a winch to load and unload, I works no my boat and it is not light.

Photos with my brothers boat loaded.



Loading my boat. This was in the building stage, the power now comes permanently wired up to the camper trailer.



The sliders slide back into the boat rack once loaded.