Van owners

When I had my high-top camper, I did the opposite - I actually cut down my mast support so the mast laid flat along the top of the boat. I then bolted an eighteen-inch long box section in between the towing hitch and the rest of the trailer, thus extending the length of the trailer. 
The mast could then be pulled forward until it was just a couple of inches off the van door, and then onl poked out about a foot at the back. I believe it can extend up to 3 feet from the back if you mark it with a flag.
The reason for doing this was that the mast support would have to be ridiculously long to alow the mast to clear the roof, bearing in mind you have to leave some allowance for the mast to move around, for example if you go up a ramp, the mast may hit the roof as the van mounts the ramp.
When the mast was flat it could go right up to the doors, and not be affected by ramps or other changes in the road surface. As an added bonus, it allowed a bike rack to be mounted on the doors, and the mast swung around happily underneath the rack.

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Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Van owners Posted: 27 Oct 06 at 12:27pm
	When I had my high-top camper, I did the opposite - I actually cut down my mast support so the mast laid flat along the top of the boat. I then bolted an eighteen-inch long box section in between the towing hitch and the rest of the trailer, thus extending the length of the trailer. The mast could then be pulled forward until it was just a couple of inches off the van door, and then onl poked out about a foot at the back. I believe it can extend up to 3 feet from the back if you mark it with a flag. The reason for doing this was that the mast support would have to be ridiculously long to alow the mast to clear the roof, bearing in mind you have to leave some allowance for the mast to move around, for example if you go up a ramp, the mast may hit the roof as the van mounts the ramp. When the mast was flat it could go right up to the doors, and not be affected by ramps or other changes in the road surface. As an added bonus, it allowed a bike rack to be mounted on the doors, and the mast swung around happily underneath the rack.