Hey All,After a few years away from paddling, the whole family is getting back into it. That means 3 boards up on the roof. I've been thinking to just strap them on but was hoping for a quicker solution.
I like the idea of the Lockracks but I don't think they will fit 3 boards, plus we also have a couple of smaller surfboards which we use when not using the SUPs and I think that would require a different model of Lockrack.The other option I saw today was the Yakima SupDawg. It looks pretty perfect but I'm just wondering if anyone here has fit 3 x 33" wide SUP's to it? I'd probably just take out the fins when transporting so they can stack cleanly.
I'm open to any other ideas also.
Cheers legends.
Dan
I did fit 3 sups on the LockRack Universal but it all depends on thickness of the sups you own.
As for the width, there is a lot of room for configuration.
It is also possible to easily load surfboard if you have a sup in the mix.
I had the SupDawg and it is not a bad solution but wasn't as versatile or secure as the LockRack.
Select to expand quoteburchas said..
I did fit 3 sups on the LockRack Universal but it all depends on thickness of the sups you own.
As for the width, there is a lot of room for configuration.
It is also possible to easily load surfboard if you have a sup in the mix.
I had the SupDawg and it is not a bad solution but wasn't as versatile or secure as the LockRack.
Cheers Burchas. The boards are quite thick, around 4.5" each.
Foam block spacers may be a good idea, especially with domed decks:Something like:www.storeyourboard.com/surfboard-roof-rack-expansion-foam-spacer-block/
But maybe with a bit of a concave shape for the deck to fit in
Also be careful to protect the rails from being crushed by ratchet straps.
We have had 3 SUPS on the roof as shown. 1,000km up the coast & 1,000 km back. The 2 hull boards are tied down, then the surf sup (with rolled up towel to fill the gap), all lashed down with heavy duty rhino straps. The roof racks were factory fitted to new car back in late 2008.
I drove 500 miles at 70 mph with 6 wide SUPs (32 to 34") on my Honda Civic Roof Racks with no issues at all.
I used two tie down straps on front (EACH side had separate straps looped around the center of the rack)
one looped rope around each side on the back rack.
I load nose forward and down so the wind coming from speeding down the highway, pushes the boards down INTO the racks, rather than trying to lift the boards OFF the racks.
If I was leaving the car for any amount of time, I would use locking steel reinforced straps on each side independently
Thanks all. Looks like good old fashion straps it is!I was trying to be lazy and squeeze them in a Lockrack or something similar.Might still pick one up for when we're only transporting 1 or 2 boards.
Look you will be fine as long as you stack the longest and widest board on the bottom and obviously stack them up from there. Also take your time and think about what you're doing as it can be an expensive mistake if you rush.
Always check you rack mounts and adjust if loose. Then make sure you have good quality straps that are a little bit longer than you need and tie both ends of the boards onto the rack and tie the strap back on itself with a locking loop to stop the strap working loose over the journey.
I twist my straps on the top to stop any "wurring" noise too. My boards have always travelled fins forward so they can never slip under a loose front strap. It's a habit I have developed over the past 40 years of traveling with board/racing skis over long distances and never lost one yet. (Your choice here). My boards have reasonable amount of tail kick so not a drama. No need to remove your fins.
Finally tie them all down, grab a beer then recheck everything again, then stop along your trip when you stop for a toilet/fuel break and check both straps.
I have done these many times with a 12ft PSH, 10'6 Laird and 7'8 Hypernut with no dramas.
Cheers
Waz
Select to expand quotehexardan said..
Thanks all. Looks like good old fashion straps it is!I was trying to be lazy and squeeze them in a Lockrack or something similar.Might still pick one up for when we're only transporting 1 or 2 boards.
A handy trick for if your straps aren't long enough is to just go over the bottom board first and then under your roof rack bar.. and then back over the whole lot with just the one strap.. then back under the roof rack bar before going through the buckle/cam thing.. I often do this without a problem..
I've done many interstate trips with 3, 4 and even 5 boards stacked.. It also helps to have board bags on the boards to prevent rubbing.. and it's also a good idea to stop and check every hour or so to check if re-tightening is needed.. It often is needed..
Select to expand quotehexardan said..
Thanks all. Looks like good old fashion straps it is!I was trying to be lazy and squeeze them in a Lockrack or something similar.Might still pick one up for when we're only transporting 1 or 2 boards.
Lockrack will handle 2 SUPs with a 65 CM base and the long arms. You should be able to squeeze a surfboard in there too. 3 SUPs will be a struggle with a Lockrack though.
If you are traveling a long distance at highway speeds, I have had good luck with Kanulocks. They are locking and have a steel core.
Green = 1 SUP
Orange = 2 SUPs
Yellow = 3 SUPs.
If you are going short distances, then a regular strap works fine. Robert Stehlik has a youtube video (How to strap Surf or Paddle Board to car in 30 secs) that is worth checking out. The only thing I would add to his video is to tie an overhand knot on the strap before you throw it into the car. This prevents the casual thief from trying to pull it out of your car.
I stack 12 all-round boards on top of my car (XC 90). Two seperate stacks of 6 boards each, using 2 pairs of 18" straps. I use Thule racks and drive on the hifghway at some speed (100 km/h) with no problem, but I tight them as much as I can so they don't swing. I've done this dozens of times (I do SUP Tours). On my previous car (VW Golf Variant), I would rack 8 boards on a single stack.
For race boards, maximum is 6 boards (2 rows of 3 boards), because of the hull. Depending on the design, I have to put less boards. be careful not to overtighten race boards (my SIC boards are superstrong and they are either on boardbags or with the orignal wrapping).
Sometimes, I deliver boards around the country on a single journey and it's crazy the amount of gear I can get inside the car (wave boards, surfboards, foilboards, inflatble, accesories, etc).
I regularly stack 10-12 boards mix of SUP/Surf/Foil/kite/windsurf boards when going away. 4 kids plus myself all SUP and surf, me do a little of all and we all have boards. Everything tied down with 3 long tie downs over the lot. Never lost a board off a roof since using tie downs. 30 years ago used bunny cords and on a trip home from the Prom bunny snapped and 4 boards went airborne. Never used bunny cords again!
.. Just stack them up.. No probs.
