Car Topper Advice Please

[fisho]

Hi All!

I am considering purchasing a 'car topper' aluminium boat. I own a single cab Toyota Hilux 4x4 trayback (length of vehicle approx 5m) and would like some advice from those 'in the know' on the biggest aluminium boat I can carry as a car topper in this instance - towing a boat is not an option for this trip.

What are the Transport Department Regulations on car toppers? Does anyone have an internet link?

Also, I believe there are devices now which fit to the ute that help you put up / take down the car topper from the vehicle. Does anyone have one of these devices that they would recommend and how much do they cost?

Thankyou for your assistance

fisho

[jimbamb]

I just bought a 3.7 stessyl to put on my mazda.
Its probably a bit big but i like to have a bit of room when fishin for big barra.
Workin on some way to load/unload.have some ideas but interested in seein some other ideas.
Thinking of using a winch and frame to lift it on without bustin a gut, or rear window of canopy. as fisho says any ideas????

[ar-we-ther-yet]

I have a 3.3mtr /11' clark it is pretty light and can manage with a little help from the missus or one of the kids.
Its good to have some detatchable wheels to, to get the boat in the water once you get it off the truck.

[mylestom]

We use a 3.7 Metre Quintrex Traveller and have found it suitable over the last six years. 15 Hp Yamaha and Bow Mount Minn Kota. On top of camper with Bulldog Folding Trailer. Boat weighs 70kg.
But have floors which brings weight up to 100kg.

Have fished most of the impoundments in Qld and Estaury and river fishing up and down the coast.

Regards
Trev

[bootyou]

What you have to work out first is what type of hull you want VEE or Flat bottom cause if your going into the shallows you would probably want a flat bottom and a vee in deeper water or a wide spance of water where the wind whips up the waves. As far as size goes how strong are you what can you lift if you can lift it I'm sure your car can carry it. Think you can overhang about 1.2m each end check with your traffic authority. dont think you can go toofar out the sides. Height you can go up to 4.4m high I think got a yacht to throw on the roof.

[stevo]

I have a 3.5m stacer V nose punt and have no truble lifting it by my self on and off. 85kgs.
I did look at the winch system through a couple of stores and they gave about the same price,$1700.
I chose to just put rollers on the first bar and it works a treat and saved me some bucks.
I also noticed the winch system in Trading post for $800, so just keep checking unless you need it quickly. Another may turn up.
Good luck

stevo

[NormC]

I carry a 3.5m Stacer on my dual cab Hilux. You would easily get a 3.7 on a single cab. I went for the 3.5 due to the way I carry it, plus I wanted to be able to load and unload myself. I just have rollers welded to the rear bar. Weight of the boat is 82KG.

AS important as the boat is the motor. If you get a bigger boat, you might want a 20HP. I use a 15HP Mercury which weighs 35KG, which I can manage alone. The Yamaha weighs 36KG, but some others weigh up to 42KG. This is for 2 strokes. 4 strokes weigh much more.

I use clamp on jockey wheels for moving the boat around. Also have a basket on the racks under the boat for carrying light stuff like crab pots and floats, fuel tank, the jockey wheels and a swivel seat.

I did a fair bit of research befor buying. In the end everything is a compromise, but I'm real happy with the set up I got.

[NormC]

Another point with carrying a boat on a ute. Make sure you only support it on the tray/tub. The cab and tray move independantly as the cab is mounted on rubber blocks and the tray is normally connected direct to the chassis. This was a challange for me due to the dual cab (shorter tub) and the shape of my canopy.

[fisho]

Great advice guys - thanks!

Can someone get a photo close up of the roller set up on the DIY models?

Also, how do you travel with the outboard?

fisho

[Tom82y]

I own a GQ Patrol with substantial, full-length roofracks, so I am confident I can carry the boat I plan on purchasing. However, I am also curious as to how folks carry their outboards. Inside or outside? Do 4-strokes have to be transported upright?

[NormC]

This pic shows my rollers. They are simply welded onto the rear bar so that the boat sits a couple of mm above the roller when it is loaded. This prevents the boat rubbing on the roller.

Note also how I carry paddles, bait pump and gaff using plastic clips. I run a strap afound the seat and over the items when travelling for exta security, but it is probably not necessary.

The basket you see under the boat is mounted on the roof bars and fits between the boat seats. It carries fuel tank, a swivel seat, clamp on jockey wheels, crab/opera house pots and floats and other 'uglies to pack'.

[NormC]

I carry my motor in the back of the Hilux in the canopy. I made a plywood box for it and lined the inside with carpet. The motor slides in very snugly so it cannot move.

The pic shows the box with motor in it. The bag in with the motor has my sounder/GPS and transponder in it. In the box I also carry the fuel hose and small battery to run the sounder.

Beside the motor is the fridge (70 litre; 50 litre fridge and 20 litre freezer), storage box in front of it and of course roller drawer unit under. On the left side is a 20 litre gerry for water, with a hose and tap for gravity feed.

It all looks pretty full, but there is a fair bit of room in front of the fridge and motor which is accessable via side windows in the canopy. Also, I've removed the rear seat in the Hilux, and put a carpeted plywood platform in there with tie downs.

We have no problem with space, but weight can be an issue. The Hilux has a total load capacity of 915 KG, which is a lot more than most wagons. When fully loaded, including the boat, plus about 225KG ball weight from the camper trailer we get to a bit over 1,000 KG. But this includes a share of the 80 litres of fuel and 200 litres of water I carry on the camper. We only fully load when necessary and it reduces quickly as fuel, water (and beer) are consumed.

It is fine to carry a 2 stroke motor like this, but I don't know about 4 strokes.

Something to consider is the 4 strokes weigh a lot more than 2 strokes. My 15HP 2 stroke weighs 35KG. A 15HP 4 stroke weighs around 50 KG. This is a bit more than I can comfortably lift and move by myself, but I manage the 2 stroke easily.

[BrandonH]

Thats a great setup you have there Norm!!!

I was thinking about rigging the roof racks up to be able to load and unload the tinny easily a few years ago. but not knowing anything about weilding and not having the spare $$ the idea has been forgotten. Would be the cheapest option if wanting to take it to DI or moreton!! I have often wished i could have my tinny on Moreton and fish the ledge for some good reefies but alas the cost to get me and the boat trailer over would be too much.. Might have to look into one of these racks again sometime soon!!

tight Lines
Brandon...