PVC boat transportation on car roof
Content
Transporting a PVC boat on the roof of a car is more convenient and profitable compared to a trailer in terms of mobility and economy, especially when driving off-road.
Transportation of the PVC boat on the roof of the car allows you to transport the swimming structure to the reservoir in working order. But for this you need to provide high-quality fasteners.
The main ways to transport PVC boats
Swimming facilities are characterized by non-standard sizes, heavy weight and complex configuration. Therefore, when choosing a method of transportation of a swimming facility, it is necessary to take into account:
- the cost and complexity of its implementation;
- the necessary conditions;
- covers to protect the case.
Transportation can be carried out on your own, if you use:
- flatbed trailer - many anglers have them;
- special trailers for boats, which are equipped with attachments for loading;
- platforms adapted for such transportation;
- a trunk where you can put the boat in a deflated form.
Each of the methods has its pros and cons.
Trailers
To prevent damage to the hull and engine of the boat when driving on a bumpy road, it must be securely fixed in the flatbed caravan:
- Attach an insert to the sides that matches the size of the load.
- Fix it on the bolts to get a removable structure.
- Isolate sharp and protruding elements with a soft coating.
- Lay the boat on the substrate and secure it firmly.
- Install a towbar on the car for safe movement.
Transportation of a PVC boat on a trailer
There are no sides on the factory-made platform trailer, which makes it possible not to mount additional devices. The boat is placed on a flat surface and securely fixed. On sale there are boat trailers equipped with PVC keel boats. They are equipped with special fasteners for mounting. However, in everyday life, such species are rarely used.
Transom wheels
If it is not possible to drive close to the shore of a river or lake, the boat can be transported using quick-release wheels. They are easy to install, keep the bottom at a height, protecting it from contact with soil and sand on the shore of the reservoir. Transom chassis are distinguished:
- according to the size of the rack;
- fastening method;
- terms of use.
Transom wheels for PVC boat
Some types do not require disassembly. They are fixed on the transom and can take two positions - working, when transporting the boat, and folded, with the possibility of attaching spinning holders.
trunk
However, manufacturers do not recommend frequent manipulations with air release, so as not to reduce the elasticity of the structure. There is a risk of damage to the casing. The trunk can only be used for small models that are easy to deflate and inflate.
On the roof
Transporting a PVC boat on the roof of a car is more convenient and profitable compared to a trailer in terms of mobility and economy, especially when driving off-road. But this method will require the installation of a trunk to protect the surface from scratches and damage. The structure itself will become more stable and, if necessary, withstand a large load.
What boats can be transported on the roof of a car
There are restrictive requirements for transporting boats on the trunk:
- the total weight of the watercraft with the trunk - no more than 50 kg for the Zhiguli and 40 kg for the Moskvich;
- the possibility of loading and unloading from the roof without the use of special devices;
- when the center of gravity is located above the trunk, the length of the load protrudes beyond the dimensions of the car by no more than 0,5 m.
PVC boat on car roof rack
According to the rules, transportation is possible for boats:
- up to 2,6 m long, laid upside down;
- up to 3 m - placed with the keel down;
- up to 4 m - narrow-nosed kayaks in the "keel down" position;
- up to 3,2 m - wide models with supporting racks on the rear bumper.
These conditions apply to 4 groups of cartboats:
- planing motor models;
- universal boats with oars and an outboard engine;
- sailing ships;
- kayaks and canoes.
The rules do not limit the width of the boat, because it is still smaller than that of the car.
Why choose this method
Transportation of a PVC boat on the roof of a car is the most convenient and profitable:
- it is economical, does not require excessive fuel consumption;
- does not reduce the mobility of the car;
- the craft is easily mounted on the roof and quickly removed;
- you can choose the model of the trunk at your discretion or make it yourself;
- many cars already have reliable factory roof rails installed, where crossbars can be fixed.
This method is more often used when the distance to the reservoir does not exceed 20 km.
How to self-load a PVC boat on the roof
The most difficult part of the job is loading the PVC boat onto the trunk of a car alone. You can carry it out with the help of home-made devices made from improvised materials:
- metal profile;
- aluminum tubes;
- boards;
- racks with pins.
They greatly simplify the loading process:
- Drive the boat to the machine on the transom wheels, which are mounted on 180-degree movable stanchions.
- Slide her nose with the pre-drilled hole onto the post pin.
- With the other end of the boat raised, rotate it on the pin until it is in the correct position on the roof.
Loading a PVC boat on the trunk of a car alone
Some car owners use ladders or makeshift lifting platforms. If the boat is stored suspended from the ceiling, you can carefully lower it directly onto the roof of the car and secure it.
Methods for attaching a PVC boat to the roof
The PVC boat on the roof of the car is fixed using various devices:
- plastic-coated aluminum car rails;
- metal profiles;
- plastic clamps;
- rubber caps on the ends of the profiles that eliminate noise during movement;
- insulating material for metal pipes;
- elastic band or drawstrings to secure the load.
The disadvantage of this method is obvious - it increases the resistance, thereby increasing fuel consumption.
It is recommended to install the boat with a slight asymmetry, moving it slightly forward, and firmly fix it at several points. You must drive at the speed limit on the highway.
How to make a trunk with your own hands
The roof rack for a PVC boat on the roof of a car is made in such a way as to hold the load when driving on the highway or off-road. It is also important to protect the surface of the machine from damage. Commercially available models are not always suitable for transporting boats and do not guarantee safety.
PVC boat roof rack
The factory roof rails available on the car must additionally be strengthened with crossbars to increase the load capacity. If the length of the load exceeds 2,5 m, it is necessary to install lodgements on the rails, which will increase the support zone.
Tools and materials
To make a car roof rack for a PVC boat with your own hands, you need measuring and drawing instruments, as well as tools:
- welding machine;
- Bulgarian;
- sanding machine;
- removable wheels.
To prepare the drawing, measure the length and height of the craft. Based on the size of the trunk, buy materials:
- metal profiles with a size of 2x3 cm and a wall thickness of 2 mm;
- roof rails, if there are no factory rails on the car;
- heater;
- plastic clamps and caps;
- polyurethane foam.
Metallic profile
If the structure needs to be strengthened with lodgements, purchase wooden blocks 50x4 mm in size.
Order of work
The manufacturing process takes place in the following sequence:
- Cut the pipes and weld a solid frame.
- Clean the welds and treat with mounting foam.
- Sand the frame and make a heat-insulating coating to protect the craft from damage.
- To increase the supporting area, install cradles on the rails.
- Cover with thermal insulation and fix with clamps.
The size of the lodgements must correspond to the dimensions of the craft. Before loading, it is better to loosen them to fit into the profile of the bottom. Then you can carefully tighten. Tie-down straps must completely exclude the movement of cargo along the cradle. They need to be laid only along the hull of the boat, but not over rails or other objects.
If the car already has roof rails, mount the trunk on them and secure them firmly with nuts or weld them. On the motor transom, set the wheels as guides when loading the boat. It is recommended to pass the tape for securing the load into a rubber tube to protect the sides of the boat from abrasion.
Shipping Requirements
A roof rack for a PVC boat on the roof of a car must securely hold the load, otherwise it will be a source of potential danger on the road. Move the boat forward slightly to create a gap between the windshield and the load. Then the oncoming air flow will pass under the bottom and will not break the boat.
The correct location of the PVC boat on the trunk of a car
When using a trailer, it is recommended to check before the trip:
- tire pressure;
- serviceability of marker lights and turn signals;
- cable and winch;
- the work of the brakes;
- rubber seals between the body and the tightening tape;
- wheel chocks needed when stopping on a slope;
- the quality of the tension of the parking tent and its fastening;
- jack with the required technical characteristics.
The load indicator of the trailer on the towbar ball should be in the range of 40-50 kg, depending on the technical characteristics of the vehicle. Incorrect proportions along the axes threaten to lose controllability of the trailer in an unusual situation. The keel must be in contact with the nose stop. In those places where the belts pass through the body, rubber seals should be placed.
Can a car be damaged when transporting a PVC boat
No matter how carefully the cargo is secured, transporting a PVC boat on the trunk of a car is a danger to the car itself and other road users. With strong gusts of wind, the cargo can break off the roof and create an emergency. If the fasteners are not secure enough, the hull of the boat may fall onto the roof and cause damage.
Therefore, while driving, you need to periodically make stops and carefully inspect the position of the load and all fasteners. The speed on the track should not exceed 40-50 km/h.
