09-26-2006, 04:10 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I was probably the one who posted the pic of a PVC roof rack. I've been knowed to play with that stuff before. The first pic shows my experimental model, positioned under my (former) Fish Cat Cougar. It was basically a rectangular contraption, with elbows and risers to provide lateral support to the craft while underway.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I only used it once. I found that I could carry the toon just as well by securing all four corners to the existing roof rack and then running support lines from the front rings to the front bumper. That made it rock solid, with little chance of "liftoff", and eliminated the need for extra PVC foo-foo.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Every pontoon is designed differently, and so is every roof rack on every model of vehicle that comes equipped with them. There are likely to be situations in which a PVC "helper" might make for a more stable roof mount. However, as others have pointed out, you should never rely on the strength of the roof rack mounts alone. You should always secure the front as I have shown in my pics. At the very least, run some strap or rope around through the windows on each side and up over the toon to secure it with more than the sometimes flimsy connections on factory roof racks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One other thing that has not been mentioned is protection for the finish on the top of your vehicle. I have seen the paint jobs on the tops of tube and toon transport vehicles trashed by the rubbing against them. Towels, blankets, tarps or a piece of carpet scrap can help keep your ride looking good, even if you insist on turning it into a truck.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I only used it once. I found that I could carry the toon just as well by securing all four corners to the existing roof rack and then running support lines from the front rings to the front bumper. That made it rock solid, with little chance of "liftoff", and eliminated the need for extra PVC foo-foo.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Every pontoon is designed differently, and so is every roof rack on every model of vehicle that comes equipped with them. There are likely to be situations in which a PVC "helper" might make for a more stable roof mount. However, as others have pointed out, you should never rely on the strength of the roof rack mounts alone. You should always secure the front as I have shown in my pics. At the very least, run some strap or rope around through the windows on each side and up over the toon to secure it with more than the sometimes flimsy connections on factory roof racks.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One other thing that has not been mentioned is protection for the finish on the top of your vehicle. I have seen the paint jobs on the tops of tube and toon transport vehicles trashed by the rubbing against them. Towels, blankets, tarps or a piece of carpet scrap can help keep your ride looking good, even if you insist on turning it into a truck.[/#0000ff]
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