Hi Scrubby and others, top answer and a good idea, was thinking on similar lines but didn't like to go ahead without some confirmation it would work. I have used the winch to get
boat on by utilizing a tree to get the height but found that it put a lot of stress on the roof rack frame, hence asking the question EO. With your design you are still putting a lot of weight and stress on the frame,
Mine is a
home built roof rack on a ute which bolts to tray and I was thinking that it may be possible to put the weight and stress onto the tow bar by means of a T piece that fits on the tow ball with T end attached to the
boat, as the winch pulls the weight of the
boat is transferred to the tow bar, as the winch pulls it lifts the
boat and by the time it is vertical it is just above roof rack and past the balance point. The same principal when unloading, pull the
boat back (
mine on Rollers) to balance point fit T piece and lower down to ground. I plan to put a roller on bull bar and one on cab roof rack plus have rollers on back, the one on the front to guide winch rope, ones on back to roll the
boat. The T piece is one piece with one end coming out of Haymen reese fitting, then bolt the T piece so it swivals as the winch rope is engaged. Bit long winded but would this work????? I got the idea from a guy who just lifts his
boat on with the aid of the T piece but he is younger and fitter I'm to old know and I damaged my shoulder last time I lifted
boat on. Thanks for your design it solves the problem but just not happy with the weight on the ends of rack.
Cheers
Kev