INSTALLATION & USE INSTRUCTIONS
Time
To unpackage the product, round up the necessary tools, review these simple instructions, and install your Tackle Transport; you can expect about an hour to an hour and a half to complete the installation.
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Tools Needed
There are just a few things you’ll need for installation.
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7/16” Socket and Ratchet
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5/32” Allen Wrench
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6’ Stepladder
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Battery Drill
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5/32” Allen Bit
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6” Drill Bit Extension
Step 1
Placement
There are two main components that make up the Tackle Transport – the Top Receiver and the Bottom Receiver. Each of the two Receivers attach to the roof access ladder rails in exactly the same way, just at different elevations. The Receivers must be installed immediately below a rung at both elevations.
VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: Both Top and Bottom Receivers MUST be installed immediately BELOW rungs on the manufacturer-installed roof access ladder. Doing so limits exposure to the fall hazard presented if someone were to inadvertently attempt to use the Receiver as a step. Receivers are designed to carry very light-weight cargo, and certainly NOT RATED to support the body weight of someone ascending or descending the ladder.
First select a rung near the bottom of the ladder that will serve as the location for the Bottom Receiver. When making your selection, considerations should include:
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Accessibility for both adults and children
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Allowance for rod length – so as not to have rod tips sticking up beyond the uppermost roof-mounted objects
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Clear visibility of signal/brake lights when loaded
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Clear visibility of license plate when loaded
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Clear access from any emergency egress points
Once you understand where you want to place the Bottom Receiver, locating the Top Receiver is a matter of measuring up the ladder 36” to 48”, or 3 or 4 rungs. Longer rods are going to be easier to get in and out at or near the 48” location, whereas the 36” location will better accommodate shorter rods.
Step 2
Ladder Preparation
Inside your package, you will find a small roll of friction tape. The tape has no adhesive – rather it sticks only to itself. Separate two of the four lengths of friction tape that make up the roll and install each one around the rails immediately below the rung where the Bottom Receiver will be mounted. One or two wraps will suffice, and it’s probably not a bad idea to clean the area prior to wrapping.
Step 3
Receiver Preparation
Partially install the two U-shaped pieces to the Receiver halves by installing a 2” machine screw through the innermost countersunk hole. Stack the U-shaped pieces onto the screw as pictured, and secure with a washer and locknut. Snug is good here – the U-shaped pieces need to be able to hinge into place on the next steps of the installation. Repeat for all four receiver halves.
Note: To provide our customers with a high-quality product, Heath RV Tackle Transports are precision manufactured to tight tolerances. We recognize there is some trade-off regarding ease of installation to achieve those tight tolerances. Please take your time - carefully aligning components during assembly and installation of the screws. A battery drill with a 5/32” Allen head bit will help get troublesome screws in if/when warranted.
Step 4
Top Receiver Halves Installation
Position your 6’ stepladder for access to the chosen location for the Top Receiver. Separate the remaining two lengths of friction tape and install each one around the rails immediately below the rung where the Top Receiver will be mounted. Here again, one or two wraps will suffice, and clean the area prior to wrapping.
Grab one of the two Top Receiver halves. The Top Receiver halves can be identified by the teardrop-shaped holes in them. Ascend the stepladder, position the Receiver half around the tape, and hinge the previously installed U-shaped pieces to capture the ladder rail. Install the other 2” machine screw through the outermost countersunk hole of the Receiver half and the U-shaped pieces. Secure with a washer and locknut. Fully tighten both locknuts on the now fully installed Top Receiver half. By design, there is some play in this fit, so the Receiver half may or may not stay in the installed position. This is expected – we’ll be clamping it into place in the following steps. Repeat these steps for the other Top Receiver half.
Step 5
Top Receiver Clamp and Complete
Grab one of the Clamping Plates bearing the Heath logo, and position it between the two properly positioned Top Receiver halves. Install four 3” machine screws into the countersunk holes on the Clamping Plate and through the slots in the U-shaped pieces. Secure each with a washer and locknut on the backside. Just snug enough to stay put and to keep from sliding down is desirable for now.
There is a small amount of adjustment clearance to allow for ladder rails that fall outside of the standard 11” center to center dimension. Move the Clamping Plate left or right as desired to distribute the clearance equally and center it up between the two Receiver halves. Tighten all four nuts on the Clamping Plate machine screws.
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN – as permanent damage to the Tackle Transport and/or the manufacturer-installed roof access ladder could result. It does not take a great deal of torque on the fasteners to achieve a firm, fixed fit that you can be confident in.
You have now completed the installation of the Top Receiver.
Step 6
Bottom Receiver Installation
Remove the 6’ Stepladder and repeat steps 4 and 5 to complete the installation of the Bottom Receiver.
Your Heath RV Tackle Transport is now fully installed and ready for use!
Rod Installation and Removal
Step 1 - Carefully insert the tip of the complete rod/reel assembly being installed in one of the tear-drop shaped holes on either side of the Top Receiver. Slide it up until the end of the handle is above the Bottom Receiver.​
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Step 2 - Line up the handle with the corresponding hole in the Bottom Receiver. ​
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Step 3 - Lower the handle until the rod/reel assembly comes to rest on the Bottom Receiver.
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Reverse for removal.