Forums > Windsurfing General

Van life and an LT

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Created by snapperfish > 9 months ago, 19 Oct 2020
snapperfish
NSW, 61 posts
19 Oct 2020 11:38AM
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Is this do-able? I am guessing the LT would have to go on roof racks of some sort, instead of inside a van.
Cheerio,
sf.

sailquik
VIC, 6165 posts
19 Oct 2020 11:55AM
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Select to expand quote
snapperfish said..
Is this do-able? I am guessing the LT would have to go on roof racks of some sort, instead of inside a van.
Cheerio,
sf.


It depends on how big your van is.

But with typical windsurfing vans, - Yes.

John340
QLD, 3363 posts
19 Oct 2020 12:50PM
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Given the roof height, getting an LT onto the roof rack on a van would be difficult

Gestalt
QLD, 14627 posts
19 Oct 2020 1:54PM
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Canoe racks that swing down should work.
Depends on van height. Loaded many one designs onto a kombi.

P.s... great choice for van life board.

P.p.s racks are referred to as lift assist roof racks.

MarkSSC
QLD, 642 posts
19 Oct 2020 3:31PM
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Gestalt said..

P.p.s racks are referred to as lift assist roof racks.


Back in the 1980's I used a set of lift assisted roof racks to put a 4m sailing dinghy on the top of a Mitsubishi L-300 van. I could load and unload the boat by myself. I even drove with the boat on top from Canberra to Tweed heads. It was a good option when I did not want to have a trailer.

WindmanV
VIC, 788 posts
20 Oct 2020 6:20PM
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Something like this might be suitable for getting the LT onto racks at the rear: www.safetyline.com.au/tyre-step.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrNHs0czC7AIVRq6WCh3HmgOvEAQYASABEgJf0vD_BwE.

For the front, open the side door and use the van step.

Having seen kayaks and SUPs come off high vehicle roofs when the kayak/SUP was side-on to the wind, suggest you point into or away-from the wind, when loading/unloading. Also, never leave the LT unsecured to the racks whilst loading/unloading.

If the wind is strong, you might ask for assistance from others nearby. I've seen a SUP come off a rack and smack the car parked alongside, because the SUPer was too embarrassed to ask for help until it was too late.

Finally, you might use two tie-down straps at the front, as well as (at least) a single at the rear. At vehicle speeds, there's a lot of wind force underneath the front of the board, trying to push it up and off the rack.

Hope this helps.



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"Van life and an LT" started by snapperfish