DIY Boat Loaders

Hi Maîneÿ,

I'd love to see some pics of it in action. I'm sure there are many people that have improvised and made their own, I guess the question is whether it works out much cheaper than the bought ones. I wonder how high the racks sit up - I know taking a boat is like a windsock so the closer it can be to the roof, the better. Thanks for your feedback.

Linda.

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the explanation and the pics!

Just a couple of more questions if I may:

What do you think of the rhino loader
It is a rear or side loader?
Why did you change from your home set up to the Rhino...features or cost (or both)?
Do you ever get off road with the Rhino loader - we're going up the Cape and wondering whether you think the Rhino could handle the rough stuff (or your DIY kit for that matter)

We are looking at trying to get the boat as close to the roof as possible and are a bit worried that the Rhino (at least the side loader) sits the boat up too high and it doesn't look like it could handle the rough stuff so well, maybe just ok for the black top.

Thanks,
Linda.

Hi Linda
The Rhino is a rear loader, it is very easy and simple to use, no lifting of the boat at all.
I changed from the home made one, for a couple of reasons.
It was originally made for my previous 4x4 (now my wife's), a std. 80 series cruiser, and previous tinnie.
The tinnie I have now, is a little bigger and heavier, and the cruiser I have now is a 100 series with a 2" lift, and I originally made it over 10 yrs ago so I was a lot younger. I came across the Rhino loader, complete with the carry rack for the 100 series, on ebay, which I managed to get at a good price.
I have been off road with the loader and boat, but no real serious suff ! The loader does bend and flex a little, not real sure how it would go with a lot of serious off road work, maybe someone else on the forum may be able to help in this area ! The home made unit never flexed on the 80 series, as the boat landed on a reasonably heavy bars gutter mounted, but did flex a small amout when landed on steel bars mounted to the original Toyota roof bars (no gutter mount on the 100 series).
The rack does sit a little high and wide, not really a problem for me. The width is good in one way, as pvc tubes can very easily fitted to cary the fishing rods etc. The other good thing over my homemade unit, is that you can put some mesh on the rack to carry the boat gear, and the Rhino loader places the boat over the gear, which is handy.
Cheers
Neil

Hey Neil

I had the same idea as you and had this little bracket welded to my car topperImage Could Not Be Found
That was a few years ago and as time goes with my strength or the lack of I will scour ebay for a ready made one like you did. My system was very cheap compared to others but very labour intensive.

Cheers Michael