Welcome to the International Class Association website for the RS Aero. Here you will find all there is to know about the RS Aero including the latest news, how to register your boat, and links to relevant documents.
| Home >> Transport & Storage >> Single Handed Estate Car Topping |
The centre tube of the loudspeaker stand was cut down so that the top was as low as possible with the legs fully splayed. This gave a final height of 700mm (I found I needed at least 540mm to clear the back of the car). The top platform was made using the supplied bracket to which I bolted 200 x 270 x 9mm plywood. I provided some cushioning by gluing on top some remnants of a kneeling mat (Screwfix 98651).
The top platford needs to be quite small to avoid large twisting forces on the platford. I take care to ensure the transom edge is exactly over the centre of the platform with the rudder pintle directly above the centre. The cushioning prevents the transom sliding around.
On one of the tripod legs is a length of string. This is calibrated so that when stretched to just touch the car's back bumber the tripod's in the correct position.
Hope that helps!
Reply
The top platford needs to be quite small to avoid large twisting forces on the platford. I take care to ensure the transom edge is exactly over the centre of the platform with the rudder pintle directly above the centre. The cushioning prevents the transom sliding around.
On one of the tripod legs is a length of string. This is calibrated so that when stretched to just touch the car's back bumber the tripod's in the correct position.
Hope that helps!
Reply
04/01/2022 08:50:00
David
Posts: 3
Looks brilliant, almost finished putting one together for testing at the weekend. Could you possibly share any more details on the tripod please? What have you put on top of it?
Reply
28/12/2021 17:50:00
paulhalliwell
Posts: 1
Yet another way of single-handed car-topping:
I recently upgraded my car and needed to work out how to transport my RS Aero.
The car is an estate so quite long with a plasticy spoiler thingy plus a sharkfin antenna (and I thought I should really try to look after this one), so the blanket-and-sports-bag approach was not workable.
Using some steel tubes I had laying around I made up an extension to a pair of Thule roof bars so that the trolley misses the car's rear parts as it is lifted on.
It also needed the stern to be well off the ground (so a sports bag on the ground won't work) so I used a cut-down tripod loudspeaker stand (£20 new on ebay) to raise it sufficiently.
Blocks fitted to the front roof bar are positioned to exactly match the trolley width when in position and provide good tie-downs.
The procedure is to first lift the stern onto the padded top of the tripod then lift the front of the trolley onto the rear extension bar and slide it across until roughly central.
The stern is then lifted and pushed up and forward in the usual way.
Although a bit scary at first, I've now lifted it on and off a number of times by myself and it just gets easier each time.
When in position on the roof, the trolley rear axle beam is up against the rear roof bar and the front of the trolley is held centrally by the front bar blocks. It is very secure just requiring 4 straps to hold it in place.
The weight of the boat and trolley is fully taken by the reassuringly expensive Thule roof bars.
The car's rear side doors open (just) without taking the trolley wheels off. And with the boat off the roof, the boot opens fully.
Can thoroughly recommend this way of transporting your RS Aero. Much better than towing IMO. Ideal for Billie NoMates.
Reply
I recently upgraded my car and needed to work out how to transport my RS Aero.
The car is an estate so quite long with a plasticy spoiler thingy plus a sharkfin antenna (and I thought I should really try to look after this one), so the blanket-and-sports-bag approach was not workable.
Using some steel tubes I had laying around I made up an extension to a pair of Thule roof bars so that the trolley misses the car's rear parts as it is lifted on.
It also needed the stern to be well off the ground (so a sports bag on the ground won't work) so I used a cut-down tripod loudspeaker stand (£20 new on ebay) to raise it sufficiently.
Blocks fitted to the front roof bar are positioned to exactly match the trolley width when in position and provide good tie-downs.
The procedure is to first lift the stern onto the padded top of the tripod then lift the front of the trolley onto the rear extension bar and slide it across until roughly central.
The stern is then lifted and pushed up and forward in the usual way.
Although a bit scary at first, I've now lifted it on and off a number of times by myself and it just gets easier each time.
When in position on the roof, the trolley rear axle beam is up against the rear roof bar and the front of the trolley is held centrally by the front bar blocks. It is very secure just requiring 4 straps to hold it in place.
The weight of the boat and trolley is fully taken by the reassuringly expensive Thule roof bars.
The car's rear side doors open (just) without taking the trolley wheels off. And with the boat off the roof, the boot opens fully.
Can thoroughly recommend this way of transporting your RS Aero. Much better than towing IMO. Ideal for Billie NoMates.
Reply
22/12/2021 16:52:00
David
Posts: 3
