you're right, it makes sense to have a safe product -even if it cost a few bucks. i'm still grappling with design plans, but nothing I have in mind will work without a 1 1/2 - 2 foot roof raise. so i'm looking on craigslist too
I towed a 26 foot speedboat with a massive inboard from NH to Seattle with my first schoolie, so I definitely want to have a hitch installed on this one too. It's just a matter of how much stuff I want to drag along (probably a car and everything else).