Author Topic: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?  (Read 22986 times)

adamrod

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attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« on: October 29, 2011, 11:28:05 PM »
So, I've got a Thule cargo box on my rack. I don't really want to take it off, but also want to be able to carry my SUP on top. My crossbars aren't long enough to have both the cargo box and the SUP side by side.

According to this link: http://stokemagazine.blogspot.com/2011/05/tying-sup-to-your-car-rack.html

which is this: http://www.shop.kayakcitys.com/images/1303779411986-1875638510.jpeg

he suggests using the yakima kayak stackers to attach a sup vertically (in other words, not lying flat on the rails, but resting on its side). Has anyone done this? Seems a bit sketchy as that's an awfully big thing to have up there in the wind, but I guess a kayak isn't any smaller really.

Thoughts?
« Last Edit: October 29, 2011, 11:41:46 PM by adamrod »

PaddleAnything

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2011, 04:35:59 AM »
I'm thinking that you are risking damage to the board by loading it with a chine down.  If the board is short like less than 8 feet, you may be able to get away with it.  The problem is that crosswinds require you to really crank it down tight. 

river

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2011, 07:32:27 AM »
Actually several of us kayakers turned SUP addicts load our boards like this including my all Starboard Brushed Carbon race boards.  I personally have done this with 3-12.6's and 2-14's all on my Sprinter van :o and drove over 1000 miles. IMO you are actually less likely to ding the board because the rails are way stronger than decks and hulls of these boards which can get rack marks from sitting on cross bars and from straps.  The Thule's are by far the best racks IMO beacuse the attachments are fixed and dont rotate like they do on round bars...   The kayak stackers make loading your board on edge a breeze too then you can bring your roof top box and several boards so you dont hae to leave any toys behind and that my friend is the biggest mistake you can make.  Not having the right toy for the conditions ;)
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Area 10

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2011, 08:35:38 AM »
I've done it like this too, using a Thule Kayak attachment. And I have the marks on my boards to prove it. It certainly can be done, but unless you have a full system with a footbed etc it is much more difficult to get the load secure and wiggle-free without damaging the board. You need to make sure that all the parts of the rack are covered with some kind of foam or other padding (I use pipe insulation), and tie the boards on carefully. OK for special trips but not something I would want to do routinely. When carrying several boards I usually stack them deck down on top of each other, with each board separated by a pipe insulation section with a bungee run through it fore and aft and then proper cam straps over the whole lot, and if there is very significant wind, sometimes a strap run right through the cabin and over the whole stack as well. Just in case...

weldernot

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2011, 07:02:35 PM »
I believe that a SUP carried vertically (on its side) can result in significant wind related rack issues. 

My preference when securing craft to my Yakima rack is to secure them both to the Yakima rack and to the built in wagon luggage rack (older Ford Escort Wagon). 

I have carried an inflatable C4 subvector 9'3" attached to my kayak stackers on my Yakima racks many times for 15 minute drives and 2 hour drives (I use an inflatable for whitewater, not because I want to spend time inflating and deflating).  Since it is an inflatable, over tightening damage is not an issue.  Until last week, the 2 hour drives had also included my whitewater open canoe (longer than the SUP) and 2 or more whitewater kayaks on the racks as well.  None of those drives had any rack or craft attachment issues.  Last week I had just the SUP and one 6'6" whitewater kayak attached to the stacker (opposite sides).  About an hour into my 70 mile per hour interstate drive to whitewater, the front passenger side attachment of the Yakima rack to the car (older Ford Escort wagon, no rain gutters so Q-clips attachment) moved roughly 18 inches as I was passing a semi.  Since that changed the tension on the straps, my SUP was suddenly hanging down partially along side the passenger windows.  When I pulled over and repositioned the Yakima rack, I changed the SUP to flat on the bars with the kayak on top of it (which allowed better securing to the built in luggage rack as well) and had no more issues. 

At least with my rack and vehicle, I find it easier to include a secure strap connection to the wagon luggage rack from my canoe and from my kayaks or SUP when they are flat than when either my kayaks or SUP are vertical and attached to the kayak stackers.  From a driving standpoint with my vehicle, I also believe that I experience a more noticeable "wind effect" (cross winds and semi created air turbulence) on car handling with greater height attached items on my Yakima racks (such as a vertical SUP).  I believe that the more noticeable wind effect on car handling also indicates more wind related stresses on the craft and rack system.

However you choose to attach your SUPs to your rack system, I think wind load is an important consideration for vehicle handling, for craft security regarding attachment to the racks, and for rack attachment to the vehicle. 

robcasey

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2011, 11:59:22 PM »
i've done this for years with no issues. often i carry both kayaks and sups together, so having sups on the sides helps it all come together in one load.

i also use the stackers to stack several (more than 4) boards flat if i'm carrying a large load. the stacker allows you to carry more flat and thus more secure than just tying to the rack bar. 

strangely i've also stacked a sea kayak on a softtop (laird) board using the stackers as well.  and i'm a rope guy, less twisting jammed up cam straps while tying it all down.

the only issue of sups going on their sides in my hood is dealing with over height ferry fees. 
Rob Casey
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spookini

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2011, 06:47:49 AM »
I used to transport my 14' board vertically (stood on end).  Things went horribly wrong at the toll booth, though.   :'(
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river

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2011, 06:04:28 AM »
Please keep in mind.  We don't secure our boards on the roof this way (on edge) if we are only carrying one board.  This is a method that works best when carrying several boards.  Just wanted to make that clear. 
Weldernot:  Always use 2/two straps NOT one!  Having only one strap on a roof rack load is very dangerous no matter how you stack your load.  You found out why if the rack moves which it will because when you tighten a load with only one strap it naturally applies force on the racks laterally which also can make them slide.  Also if your Single strap fails your load is gone.  Believe me I have seen and argued this point for years in kayaking before I ever strapped any boards to my roof.  This is something I know a lot about fortunately:)
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bean

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2011, 06:18:12 AM »
I used to transport my 14' board vertically (stood on end).  Things went horribly wrong at the toll booth, though.   :'(

Lucky you didn't hit a power line... ;D 

Easy Rider

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2011, 07:28:13 PM »
Mine go inside my sprinter and are not tied down at all.   ;D
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soulpaddler

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2011, 07:49:57 PM »
I've never done it myself, but have seen it done plenty of times.  Most of the time with a bag though.

adamrod

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Re: attaching a board vertically to a roof rack?
« Reply #11 on: November 03, 2011, 09:44:27 AM »
After putting the board up on my rack, on its side, it's really high. A giant sail. I think it might make sense to do it with multiple boards, but with one it just doesn't look right.

I'm now considering fashioning some extensions to my yakima bars that would allow me to extend the bars a bit when needed and attach the board flat. Wouldn't be too hard, just need to get some round pipe that fits snugly over the standard round bars and weld on some nuts with thru-holes for set screws.

Anybody ever done something like that?

My rack is pretty solidly attached to the car, it attaches with screws into the roofof the car (i.e. not the door frame clip style). The board fits in the car fine, but means I can't have passengers...


 


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