Future Tech: Would an Electric Side-Loading Roof Platform change your Bronco build?

[BA OffRoad]

Hey Everyone,

We all love the rugged look of a lifted Bronco, but let’s be real: lifting a heavy Kayak, a bulky cargo box, or recovery gear onto a 2.5"+ lifted roof isn't exactly a "vacation" for your back.

We are currently in the R&D phase for a Power Drop-Down Platform—a motorized side-loading system designed to bring your gear down to you—and we want to build this with the community’s input.

1. How do you feel about a Motorized Side-Loading Rack?
Instead of manual levers or gas struts, imagine a rack that lowers to waist height via a button or remote, then tucks back up securely. Does this feel like a "must-have" for your build, or do you prefer keeping things purely mechanical?

2. When would this be a game-changer for you?

• Loading heavy Kayaks or SUPs solo?
• Accessing gear on high-clearance setups without a ladder?
• Quick gear swaps during a weekend trail run?

3. Power vs. Manual Assist: Where do you stand?
Would you prioritize the "one-button" ease of an electric system, or do you lean toward a manual-assist rack for simplicity? We’re aiming to solve the heavy-lifting problem without adding unnecessary bulk to the Bronco’s silhouette.

Drop your thoughts below! We’re especially curious about what safety features (like auto-stop) you’d expect from a powered version.

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[zuke]

I think the main question is really weight. Putting a heavy system on the roof is going to raise the center of gravity, So whichever can be done with the least added weight would be my choice.

A system using a cable/rope to an electric motor mounted somewhere other than the roof might be the way to keep the weight down low.

 

[RustysBronco]

Hey Everyone,

We all love the rugged look of a lifted Bronco, but let’s be real: lifting a heavy Kayak, a bulky cargo box, or recovery gear onto a 2.5"+ lifted roof isn't exactly a "vacation" for your back.

We are currently in the R&D phase for a Power Drop-Down Platform—a motorized side-loading system designed to bring your gear down to you—and we want to build this with the community’s input.

1. How do you feel about a Motorized Side-Loading Rack?
Instead of manual levers or gas struts, imagine a rack that lowers to waist height via a button or remote, then tucks back up securely. Does this feel like a "must-have" for your build, or do you prefer keeping things purely mechanical?

2. When would this be a game-changer for you?

• Loading heavy Kayaks or SUPs solo?
• Accessing gear on high-clearance setups without a ladder?
• Quick gear swaps during a weekend trail run?

3. Power vs. Manual Assist: Where do you stand?
Would you prioritize the "one-button" ease of an electric system, or do you lean toward a manual-assist rack for simplicity? We’re aiming to solve the heavy-lifting problem without adding unnecessary bulk to the Bronco’s silhouette.

Drop your thoughts below! We’re especially curious about what safety features (like auto-stop) you’d expect from a powered version.

I'd need to see a visual.

 

[Deadpool392]

It is an interesting concept, but without knowing the complexity of install, cost, weight, how much weight it can support, and space required to use it is hard to ascertain the usefulness.

 

[Valhalla]

Quit loading heavy ish on a cardboard roof!

 

[BA OffRoad]

I'd need to see a visual.

Updated the thread with the renders and a demo video.

 

[SHANUT]

Hey Everyone,

We all love the rugged look of a lifted Bronco, but let’s be real: lifting a heavy Kayak, a bulky cargo box, or recovery gear onto a 2.5"+ lifted roof isn't exactly a "vacation" for your back.

We are currently in the R&D phase for a Power Drop-Down Platform—a motorized side-loading system designed to bring your gear down to you—and we want to build this with the community’s input.

1. How do you feel about a Motorized Side-Loading Rack?
Instead of manual levers or gas struts, imagine a rack that lowers to waist height via a button or remote, then tucks back up securely. Does this feel like a "must-have" for your build, or do you prefer keeping things purely mechanical?

2. When would this be a game-changer for you?

• Loading heavy Kayaks or SUPs solo?
• Accessing gear on high-clearance setups without a ladder?
• Quick gear swaps during a weekend trail run?

3. Power vs. Manual Assist: Where do you stand?
Would you prioritize the "one-button" ease of an electric system, or do you lean toward a manual-assist rack for simplicity? We’re aiming to solve the heavy-lifting problem without adding unnecessary bulk to the Bronco’s silhouette.

Drop your thoughts below! We’re especially curious about what safety features (like auto-stop) you’d expect from a powered version.

No.

 

[CalvinT]

Wouldn't be helpful for me. Maybe someone who has trouble lifting things would find it useful.

 

[lakesinai]

Hey Everyone,

We all love the rugged look of a lifted Bronco, but let’s be real: lifting a heavy Kayak, a bulky cargo box, or recovery gear onto a 2.5"+ lifted roof isn't exactly a "vacation" for your back.

We are currently in the R&D phase for a Power Drop-Down Platform—a motorized side-loading system designed to bring your gear down to you—and we want to build this with the community’s input.

1. How do you feel about a Motorized Side-Loading Rack?
Instead of manual levers or gas struts, imagine a rack that lowers to waist height via a button or remote, then tucks back up securely. Does this feel like a "must-have" for your build, or do you prefer keeping things purely mechanical?

2. When would this be a game-changer for you?

• Loading heavy Kayaks or SUPs solo?
• Accessing gear on high-clearance setups without a ladder?
• Quick gear swaps during a weekend trail run?

3. Power vs. Manual Assist: Where do you stand?
Would you prioritize the "one-button" ease of an electric system, or do you lean toward a manual-assist rack for simplicity? We’re aiming to solve the heavy-lifting problem without adding unnecessary bulk to the Bronco’s silhouette.

Drop your thoughts below! We’re especially curious about what safety features (like auto-stop) you’d expect from a powered version.

That's certainly a nicely designed product, but is there a market? It assumes that outdoor adventurers always transport the same thing the same way all the time. I would not put a mountain bike that high up, that's what a rear rack is for. Kayak or canoe? Seems like the best use, but people in the N only Kayak three months of the year, it it worth buying to sit there the other 9 months? Bronco people like their open roofs, so their racks come off and on seasonally, making this rack a very expensive accessory sitting in my garage! It's use as a rooftop storage box holder Seems really cool, for those who utilize a full time storage box, but, don't most people keep empty racks on their daily driver, installing their stuff for the occasional trip? Tall people won't need it as much for kayaks, so your market is for short people who want help lifting their kayaks, but, if they need help lifting kayaks, would they still be kayaking?

It's a nifty design if you have a market. Also, a manual vs electric? Manual would have you be a one-motion lever, not a crank. So likely electric, making power an issue on a removable roof Bronco. Good luck!

 

[Ape Factory]

Why not hydraulic instead of electric?

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