posted 04-11-2003 08:26 PM         

I'll be testing my new design cargo rack on a road trip this weekend. The new tray is made of aluminum and has holes punched for easy tie down with bungee cords.
The rack pictured is a pre-production model. Before commencing production of the racks I will eliminate the wing nut and flange at the rear of the tray and the round holes in the side flanges will be changed to .25" x 1.5" obround holes to allow the use of nylon straps as well as bungee cords.
I expect these racks to sell for about $150.00 when finished and packaged but the final selling price is yet to be determined.

I'm looking for all suggestions and all comments,
Good, bad, or even ugly! Hit me with your best shots!

Is there a need for it?
Is the tray about the right size?
Is semi-gloss black the right color to paint them?
Do you like the name "Kitty Kaddy Kargo Karrier"?
Or should I just call it a "Cargo Rack" or "Cargo Caddy"?
Do you need a luggage cover bag with it?
Is anybody interested in an accessory golf bag holder for the rack? One bag or two?

What do you Prowler owners want or need from this type product?

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Larry (Cruise Control) Lord
Products for your Prowler and Trailer:
Upright Trailer Storage Stands
Latch Reinforcement Kits
Kitty Kaddy Kargo Karriers
Matching Locksets for Couplers and Receivers

Larry@FMBbox.com

posted 04-12-2003 12:02 AM         

I like the size of this better and the convenience of always having it in the trunk "just in case" is a great idea. An exact fitting cargo bag stitched with the Prowler logo would finish this off.

I think a couple of optional posts to hold golf bags upright would be cool and I'd be in for one. Now that accessory should be called the Kitty Kaddie. The tray itself could be the Kiddie Kargo Karrier (or Kat Rack).

For all our Texan friends, can you also attach a Kat Rack Rifle holder.

Good work Larry, keep those products coming.

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99 Black Stock Plate PROWLERR
00 Woodward (#98 of 151 - Custom Interior, Plate PPROWLER,
Matching Trailer (numbered & pinstriped)
2002 CANDY RED: Extensive modifications Plate PROWLLER
99 Supercharged Shelby Durango
02 Blue/Silver Viper GTS ACR #1 of 1
03 Black Viper SRT-10
***See Scrapbook for Pictures

posted 04-12-2003 08:50 AM         

I doubt with this size you would ever get 200 lbs. on it, but are you sure that will work with the hitch. I thought I read where max. tounge weight was 100 pounds. I would hate to think someone reading it handles up to 200 pounds wound do something stupid like sit or stand on it and bend up the frame brace.

posted 04-12-2003 03:40 PM         

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posted 04-12-2003 04:26 PM         

I like the chrome, or stainless, or whatever it is.

posted 04-13-2003 11:18 PM         

I loaded the "Kat Rack" (Thanks SirReal for the name change) down with two Carry-on bags stacked on their backs, one above the other and weighing about 50 pounds total weight.
The rack worked perfectly for the trip. While my rack does hide your license plate when loaded, if you ever have a problem, the bags can be taken off and the plate is easily visible above the rack. Maybe a problem, maybe not! How many of us have no front plates on our cars?
There was no noticable sway or movement and since the rack sits low, there was no problem with the wind trying to pull my bags off the rack.
While looking at the pictures of the loaded rack on my car, you will notice that there is little clearance from the bumpers once the bags are compressed by the tie down straps. I will be moving the rack back 1" on the production run of racks. You will also notice that the 12" wide base tray doesn't quite fit the carry-on bags.I will be changing the tray sixe to approximately 14" x 24" to ensure the easy fitment of carry-on bags. (Airline regulations allow 14" x 24" x 9" size for carry-on bags}
I had no problems whatsoever with heat from the exhaust. In fact the bags never even got warm.
Other than the tray size change and moving the tray back 1" more away from the bumper, I can find no other changes that need to be made.
The tray stored easily in my trunk and is very quick and easy to install or it can just be left on the car and locked in place with a locking receiver hitch pin.

Everyone who posted comments,
Thank you!
I've been listening and I'm still listening.

Randy,
Thanks for your comments. I had a chance to see a PT rack on a car this weekend and they look very nice and the price seems very fair for what you get. The only thing I could see that I wasn't wild about is the height. It seems like it could cause a bit of wind drag and there is some side to side movement but it's really no big deal. Nice golf bag case!

Marty,
Good point about the weight claims. I did have Alley Cat the furry one sit on the top of both bags while they were on the rack. No doubt about the weigh carrying capacity of the rack but due to the 100 pounds tongue weight rating of the hitch, I will now claim only a 75 pound capacity for my racks. Thanks for your suggestion.

Blu,
I'll sell you this one for $125.00 if you want it. I need to make one more prototype before I go into production.

Wayne,
The full aluminum tray is as light as the mesh but will not rust as the mesh commonly does and is much stronger.
Good idea on an embroidered bag or cover. Someone this weekend even suggested having their license plate embroidered on the bag.

Texans,
Gun rack option is in the works!

posted 04-14-2003 08:08 AM         

My only concern was the heat from the Exhaust but sounds like it is no problem, BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
What about some kind of Universal RAIN cover or better yet, sell the rack with two bags made for the rack with a Prowler logo or your Logo with Rain/Road debris cover ?

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HiBoy by Prowler Products

posted 04-14-2003 08:19 AM         

Changeing to the 14" depth will be helpful, too.

posted 04-14-2003 09:47 PM         

Yes I expect to be ready to ship the racks in time for the Niagara event.

I had packed a black Glad Trash Bag in my suitcase just in case or rain. It's easy to wrap a bag in these and they take no space at all when packed. Are these good enough?
My original plan was to have an economical solution to the baggage problem.
While I like all the suggestions for bags and such, the price will keep climbing as I include more and more extra features.

I will continue to look for bags and covers but I have already found some great tie down straps and will probably make them part of the KatRack package.

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Larry (Cruise Control) Lord
Products for your Prowler and Trailer:
Upright Trailer Storage Stands
Latch Reinforcement Kits
Kat Rack Cargo Carriers
Chrome Receiver Locks
Matching Locksets for Couplers and Receivers

posted 04-15-2003 08:13 AM         

STRAPS - I looked around to find black bungees with black plastic coated ends. Got them at a Harley dealership for $1.80 each for 24" ones. They also have them in 18" and 12".

WATERPROOF COVERS - The golf travel bag container I show above is sealed and waterproof. It can be used as a storage container for duffel bags also. Also, if a heavy mil black yard waste bag is not sufficient many luggage co.s sell the clear luggage covers made for covering their bags. My wife has some for her luggage and she says she thinks these covers cost about $10 for a weekender bag.

posted 04-18-2003 12:52 AM         

quote:

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Originally posted by ed monahan:
A strap with velcro closures might work better since it eliminates any bouncing without squashing everything.

---

These are the Pro Straps that I'll be selling as an option with the KatRack. These are a Velcro closure strap, 1.5" wide and very heavy duty. The KatRack will be punched with slots to accommodate the Pro Straps.
72" sell for $15.95 per pair
43" sell for $12.95 per pair

The unpainted rack in the picture is my latest prototype. Just made it today and will be welding it tomorrow. Everything looks like it's fitting together well and the carry-on bags now fit tightly in the tray. The round hole will be omitted on the production run of racks.

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Larry (Cruise Control) Lord
Products for your Prowler and Trailer:
Upright Trailer Storage Stands
Latch Reinforcement Kits
Kat Rack Cargo Carriers
Chrome Receiver Locks
Matching Locksets for Couplers and Receivers

Larry@FMBbox.com

posted 04-18-2003 10:53 AM         

Kat Rack, "I kinda like KatKaddy" would be darn handy if you carry a lot of stuff on cruises..cameras..camera bag..small Stallings/Carter type coolers. This rig would open up a lot of interior space in the car. I would like the choice of stowing loose valuable stuff out of site instead of having to put up the top at every stop.

If you do car shows, the Kat Rack and a soft sided bag is perfect for chairs etc., then stow the rack in the trunk for the show. Nice as well if you do any shopping on cruises...with the KatRack in the back, you are able to handle larger things.

posted 04-19-2003 12:32 AM         

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Larry (Cruise Control) Lord
Products for your Prowler and Trailer:
Upright Trailer Storage Stands
Trailer Latch Reinforcement Kits
KatRack Stowable Cargo Carriers
Pro-Strap Velcro Tie Straps
Keyed Alike Chrome Locksets
Deck Lid Hinge Guards
Chrome Hitch Covers
Chrome Receiver Locks
Chrome Coupler Locks