Car topper for a woman?

Hello All,

As I'm sure most everyone knows, 100 pounds is about as far as you would normally want to go for car topping a boat. That's for a person who can handle 100 pounds. 150 pounds is alot of weight for a small person. Hauling a trailer around Chicago does not sound like any fun either. Of all the suggestions given, the video showing the side loading looks like the most affordable way to go, though maybe not the safest. This is like a real "invention" going on here! If you find it to heavy to push the boat up the ramps, make the ramps longer to reduce the vertical weight component. If friction is a problem, rig up some type of roller system where the boat makes contact with the ramps. If the boat can be rolled up the ramps, it should be easier to car-top the boat. Make sure the ramps are deep and wide enough so they will not break under the load. A 150 pound boat would have 37.5 pounds on each contact point. You would also want some type of "stop system" so the boat can't fall off the oppposite side of the car (and possibly land on someone). All of this would need to be thoroughly tested before being put to use, or someone could get hurt. Regardless of the system used, a person who is trying to maneuver more weight than they can safely handle is at risk of being injured. Pre-engineered systems are the best way to go as they have been tested for safety.

 

When I trailer an object that's too small to see, I affix one or two marking posts (from hardware store, lawn and garden, wood or fiberglass) to the unseen extremities of the trailer, such that they stick out/up into view.

 

I can't see my trailer!

Another option is to attach extension mirrors to your car or truck. I used to add 18 inch extenders to my tractor so I could see around the "Over-Sized Load" I was pulling on a flatbed (tractor-trailer). Extension mirrors allow you to see all of the trailer you are pulling AND the vehicle behind you.

 

Rhino Rack........... 80 kg = 176 lbs...........nearest dealer to Ken is near Rockford:

http://www.rhinorack.com/GMapDealer.aspx

 

Info is appreciated, but the purpose of the thread no longer applies. She will manage transportation without my input, and quite probably without my presence.

Thanks anyway.

 

That's probably the best solution, all the way around.