One reason I love my wife so much - she called me at work the other day just to say: If you want to put surfboard racks on my car thats OK with me. I told her the old style racks attached to the rain-gutter seams, but the new cars don't have those. She said No, I mean if you want to put a permanent rack on, and have to modify the car, thats OK with me.
Cool. But do they make such a thing? I've used the soft racks, but never felt real comfortable with them, worried and looking up the whole way, they're humming the whole time. So I usually put my board in the car (the back seat folds so the trunk space is open to the cab - I can fit a 9'6" in that little car no prob). But then I end up sitting in the back seat if she's driving, and its kind of a conversation killer.
I had never heard of Rola Racks - but when I googled them, they look to be temporary strap-ons, the thing I'm trying to get away from.
I found these, Thule Rapid Aero. Has anyone tried these? I was hoping to get some recommendations from someone who has permanent racks. These are not permanent, but they look to be a solid mount, rather than a flexible strap. I want something really securely attached to the vehicle.
You really can't go wrong with Thule. They're expensive but various adapters are made to fit most any vehicle. They also have locks.
I've carried all kinds of shit (bikes, kayaks, surfboards, SUPs, cargo box, way overweight lumber, etc) on the top of my car and my Thule racks have held up extremely well.
Check the Thule website and find out exactly which attachments you need then hunt them down on EBay.
Huck, your car may well be set up to accept racks. Look in your owner's manual, and on the roof for the little caps you pop off the attachment points. The Thule stuff (and others) are designed to plug right into these mounts.
Huck, your car may well be set up to accept racks. Look in your owner's manual, and on the roof for the little caps you pop off the attachment points. The Thule stuff (and others) are designed to plug right into these mounts.
Or just get a Suburban and bring the quiver :)
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Mike - you don't know how close to home that hits! One reason I'm jazzed about putting racks on is that when I load the board in the car, I can only take one. I live a few hours from the ocean, so I really don't know what conditions will be until I get there. I've got 8 boards, from 6'5" to 9'6", and it just kills me to have to guess which'll be the right one for that day. With racks I can take a couple, and double my chances of having the best board for the day!
I have some soft racks that just strap on, but they hum, and they make me a bit nervous - and they especially make my wife nervous, so she hates them.
Thanks for the tip - I'll check on the attachment points.
Thule makes the best. I have had a couple of differant ones to fit various cars. Still have a set for an old Volvo. Yakima is another one. My experience has only been with Thule and Aloha( in the old days). Can't go wrong with Thule. Their bar is flat and will accomodate a cargo box. Alot of guys use the cargo box for snowboards and equipment. Also if over a few years the bar starts to sag a little you can flip it. When I travel I carry a pair of pull thru wratchet straps to use on rental cars. With your board in a bag and the wratchet straps, your rental car would fly before you'd lose a board. Especailly coming off the Pali at Maalaea. One of the best sources I have found for racks etc. is a place in Portland. I'll see if I can find the name and link for you. Best source on the West Coast.
I’d just like to add to the pro-Thule faction. They’re expensive, but I’ve had them on my car for six years and, like johnmellor, have carried all kinds of things on there, bunches of boards, wheelbarrows, canoes, tons of lumber that my car’s suspension may not have liked so much, but the racks didn’t mind at all, etc., etc. The straps that come with Thule’s surfboard holder system are nylon and really easy to use, have never damaged my boards, have never come undone, and have lasted as long as the racks. I’d still have them if I didn’t leave them on top of my car and drive off last week. The straps are only long enough to hold two boards on there, but if you tie a rope to the straps, the possibilities are endless. You won’t regret the Thule rack.
Hey Huck-------- Let us know the out-come of your search. What you got ? Where you got it? etc. Out of curiostiy. Keep us posted. By the way: If you need some high end 6 oz. cloth yardage. I have some Hexcel.
My friend has these and they are awesome. We’ve put three longboards on there and no problems. No hum and they lock with a key. If you’re bringing loads of boards to the beach you can leave a few locked on the car when you paddle out and no worries. They have a racheting mechanism to tighten so don’t overdo it. I’ve almost added a few unecessary dings from cranking that thing down. They’re pretty fast too.
