Tinnie Transport

**awabbit6** · 26th July 2009, 08:14 PM

I’m after some suggestions on the best location to carry our tinny (3.7m) when camping – on the roof of the Disco or on top of the camper trailer. I guess it mostly comes down to personal preference but there are some positives and negative to both locations.

Roof Top
Positives

- No need to carry a collapsible trailer for transport once camp is set up.
- Doesn’t impact access to the camper trailer.
- Will not have to be removed for overnight stops.

Negatives

- Will require more complicated fabrication to modify the existing rack to load the boat to include a winch of some sort.
- Wind drag will most likely be more significant (the Disco struggles with a fully loaded trailer and everyone on board as it is).
- Salt water dripping on the car when loaded from the water.

Trailer Top
Positives

- Easier to load.
- We had the trailer made with mounts for a boat rack so the fabrication shouldn’t be as difficult.
- The top of the boat should be a similar height to that of the car so wind drag may not be a problem.

Negatives

- Interferes with trailer access.
- Must be removed for overnight stays (I’m not going to build a tilting rack as it requires too much work to the trailer which is powder coated and even when tilted, it will be awkward to access the trailer).
- Requires a collapsible trailer or something similar to transport the boat once camp is set up which is something else to transport.

So it’s over to you. What have you seen? What have you used? If nothing else, please vote in the poll.

Thanks in advance. Any input will be greatly appreciated. I've attached a photo of the rig and the tinny for reference.

**Chops** · 26th July 2009, 08:57 PM

This was one of my set-ups that I had for a while.
Didnt really need a trailer for the boat, (as in fold-away), it was easy enough to drag to the waters edge even with the motor on.
When I got lazy

and wise,

I would drop the boat and motor etc off at the waters edgde before setting up camp.

Chops

**inside** · 27th July 2009, 10:18 AM

Just one thing to consider is the maximum weight allowed on the roof of your Disco, this may only be 75kg. In the unfortunate event of an accident you could find insurance not willing to pay as you exceeded the limits of the vehicle. I have heard rumours of insurance companies weighing vehicles after an accident to ensure they are within payload so may do it for roof weight as well.

**isuzu110** · 27th July 2009, 12:22 PM

I just built a folding boat rack for my CT. Took a mate and I two saturdays to build it and under $300 in steel etc. Has a gas strut to fold the rack out of the way. I only have a canoe on it at the moment.

I's obviously vote for this option.

**weeds** · 27th July 2009, 01:16 PM

thanks isuzu110, i plan to do this to my sisters camper trailer

**awabbit6** · 27th July 2009, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the replies so far.

I have considered the weight on the roof of the Disco. I will have to confirm the weight of the boat but I think it is around 70kg. Combined with the rack itself and the awning that is already on the rack and I think I'll be pushing it.

I think I'd probably prefer it on the roof for practicality but logic tells me that it needs to go in the trailer.

I will wait for more words of wisdom ...

**weeds** · 27th July 2009, 07:27 PM

the only problem i see with it being on the trailer is you need to launch/carry/drag the boat before setting up the tent, guess you could invest in one of those fold up trailers

**Remy** · 27th July 2009, 07:59 PM

Why not do both the trailer should be cheap to do and with a bit of fabrication a gutter mounted rack for the disco shouldn't break the budget? Once the tinnie is off the trailer you then have the flexibility of throwing it on the roof and going to other places while leaving home setup.

Anyway that is what i am working on now!

**awabbit6** · 27th July 2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Remy

Why not do both the trailer should be cheap to do and with a bit of fabrication a gutter mounted rack for the disco shouldn't break the budget? Once the tinnie is off the trailer you then have the flexibility of throwing it on the roof and going to other places while leaving home setup.

I hadn't thought of doing both. Saves making a folding trailer!

What car are you putting yours on?

**foz.in.oz** · 4th August 2009, 12:43 PM

Something I have seen but unfortunately don't have photos of is a boat trailer with a removable camper on top of it. When you get to camp you drop the legs on the camper part, jack it up and pull the boat trailer out from underneath. Camper stays put and boat goes a launchin'

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