Rad-A-Cage Removal

[22supra]

I have a 22SSV with the Rad-A-Cage tower, when i bought the boat I did all the measurements for length and width to fit into the garage, however i did not measure height. Never occured to me knowing i could collapse the tower that it wouldn't fit, now when i collapse the tower the boat still won't clear the garage opening unless i completely remove the tower. The crossbar that kinda follows the curves of the windshield there are 2 bolts in the front and 2 bolts in the rear, has anyone had to remove these for storage? How difficult to re-install and any concerns with taking apart just about every weekend?

[cigars n scotch]

That sucks to hear. You shouldn't have any problems or issues with doing it, it will probably get old real quick but hey to have it in a garage is worth it I imagine.

[KG's Supra24]

Sounds like ALOT of work! How much more room do you need for clearance?

Can you lower the air pressure in your tires? Get a better angle for entry/exit?

[CornRickey]

4 machine screws with a SS backing plate and nylon thread nuts for each pad. Remove/install would take two people to keep it from scratching the gloat. I think it would suck emensly.
I saw some pictures of a guy asking if removing the wood wrap and trim from this garage opening would hurt. I didn't respond but I would sawsall the trim to the width you need, install some threadall with Epoxy and use threaded knobs to remove and Install when needed. Paint the same color of the house and be done..that's if all you need is a couple inches.

[22supra]

thanks for the thoughts i am going to play with the Garage first, the opening as it sits is 81", Rough measurement of the tower where it collapses is 87"(not exact just eyeball knowing it was more than 81") I do have a piece of trim on the bottom of the garage that would save 2" and maybe a super drop hitch just to move in and out of garage. Worst case lower air out of tires.

[Sluggo]

I sort of have the same issue. I use a floor jack and lower the trailer onto a drop hitch on the wifes minivan as the regular tongue jack will not go that low. With the front end that low it really lowers the height of the tower at the hinge point. At that point I have to remove the tower mounted mirror as it now becomes the highest point. I then pull the pin on the garage door opener so the door will slide back a few more inches and it clears, but just barely. I have not had to resort to tire pressure trick but I was close.

[tg0824SSVGG]

I had to fix the rubber pad under one of the legs of my tower one time. It was a total BEAR to remove the screws, had to take a speaker out, contort my body to reach. This would not be something you could do each time in/out


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[22supra]

lowered the tower for first time and realized it is not an option every week. i am down to 85" with a 9" drop on the hitch and need to be below 83.5", hopefully a 12" drop and the jack idea from sluggo will do the trick tomorrow and maybe a little air pressure adjustment but think i can make it.

[cigars n scotch]

Get a better angle for entry/exit?

KG your talking about the boat and garage still right? ;)


22supra, so based off your last comment it still seems like a shit load of work you have to do each time in and out of the garage. (just deflating and inflating tire pressure is a pain)

All worth it?

[86 century]

If you have one a lawn tractor should be low enough to get you in there with no problems.

I use mine to back the boat in the garage at times 8' door 7'10" wide boat makes for a tight fit.

[CornRickey]

I'd remove the wheels and lower on car dolley before I messed with the cage.

[22supra]

I got it in without having to remove the tower. I bought a 12" drop hitch which almost was enough, had to lower tire pressure in the trailer and the tahoe. i know have my shop building me a 16" drop hitch which should do the trick without messing with air pressure. Thanks all for input and ideas.

[CornRickey]

Man, and I thought you had a problem....

[rtpaxton2]

I sort of have the same issue. I use a floor jack and lower the trailer onto a drop hitch on the wifes minivan as the regular tongue jack will not go that low. With the front end that low it really lowers the height of the tower at the hinge point. At that point I have to remove the tower mounted mirror as it now becomes the highest point. I then pull the pin on the garage door opener so the door will slide back a few more inches and it clears, but just barely. I have not had to resort to tire pressure trick but I was close.

Sluggo,

Have you looked at any hitches where you can adjust the ball height? They are a little pricy, but I think you could swing your jack down, relieve the pressure on the height adjustment, then lower the jack to the height you need and install the pin. Just an idea...

Here is one example of one that I found:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/Rapid-Hitch-10-Drop/34582/&?&affiliateid=3274&cvsfa=2734&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3334353832&gclid=COulue-luLACFQUEnQodmW6f8w