Need opinions on soft roof rack

[Ol' DZ]

I just wanted to know if anyone has strapped a longboard to the top of their car with one of those soft rack things....the one where the board is strapped onto a couple of pads and the straps go into the car and are secured by closing the doors. Do these types of racks hold the board well? And how fast can you drive with them? Thanks

[drowningbitbybit]

There's quite a few threads on this already, but the consensus is...

1) Yes, you can carry several boards, or pretty much any size with them safely. They wont fall off unless you're a complete numpty.

2) The buzz they make while driving annoys the hell out of people. Sometimes putting a twist in the straps gets rid of it. But sometimes, for some reason, you just cant get rid of that buzz.

3) They can damage the door seals of the car. And they let it water through the seals when it rains heavily.

4) Drive as fast as you like.

[bluesnowcone]

i used to stick my 9' board on my mums 206 with them straps, just do them up tight enough and drive, iv neva had any problems with them

[Stone Fox]

3) They can damage the door seals of the car. And they let it water through the seals when it rains heavily.

dude, last time I used a softrack it dripped on me, and it was only light drizzle, it wasn't even raining properly!

[Ol' DZ]

OK thanks guys! Sorry Dbbb, I should have searched first

[Sar]

Everything DBBB said........if you're looking for a cheap way to transport your boards and not that often then they're fine. But having said that I only bought them cos I couldnt figure out how to fit proper roof racks to my car wish I had persevered (sp) now. Proper roof racks can be used for everything and will last forever. If you can afford them and can figure out how to put the damn things on go for them.

[zerphyr]

Those soft racks are an absolute necessity when travling, and work great for use on rental cars. But yeah they do leak in wet weather like the other poster said. I have strapped 4 boards together on one side with mine a few times. I have the xm racks.

[Stone Fox]

4) Drive as fast as you like.

Can I just get some clarification / confirmation on this one please? I have a nasty habit of doing 90-100mph on the m4/m5.

How fast has anyone gone with a softrack before? Is there a maximum 'sensible' speed?

and not that often then they're fine.

Why is that? Do they not last long?

[drowningbitbybit]

4) Drive as fast as you like.

Can I just get some clarification / confirmation on this one please? I have a nasty habit of doing 90-100mph on the m4/m5.

How fast has anyone gone with a softrack before? Is there a maximum 'sensible' speed?

Tsk. Bad boy.

When I used to have a car, I'd happily cruise along at 80-90mph without any problem. Although the buzz can get deafening.
Two things would concern me though -

At speed, any stone that hits the board (even with a board bag) would destroy the board rather than just ding it.

The board vibrates and flexes - presumably in the long term this would weaken the board.

Oh, and one other thing - due to their being a 'wing' on top of the car, the handling can go squiffy.

So realistically, I'd be keeping it down to 80mph.

[Stone Fox]

So realistically, I'd be keeping it down to 80mph.

Testicle. Big fat hairy ones at that.

That puts my drive to Devon up by about an hour.

[surferdude_scarborough]

So realistically, I'd be keeping it down to 80mph.

lies!!! 90 is fine. since when do stones ever hit anything that high up anyway?

[Stone Fox]

[Hang11]

Can I just get some clarification / confirmation on this one please? I have a nasty habit of doing 90-100mph on the m4/m5.

A few years ago, I borrowed a convertible merc CLK from work to go to Wales for a few days, slammed a longboard on the canvas roof on softracks, got it up to about 90 on the M4, and stuffed the hood

Bent it back into shape, so that was cool, but had to go a bit slow for the rest of the way, and very nearly lost my board.

So don't use them on convertibles. Pretty obvious really, but it was worth a try.

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

and very nearly lost my board.

obviously the important part.....

[drowningbitbybit]

since when do stones ever hit anything that high up anyway?

All the time.... but normally you dont notice, there isnt a board there

Ask any motorcyclist how many times they've got smacked in the lid by stone, bird, whatever. Another reason to go down on the tank at 90mph.... or more...

[Stone Fox]

since when do stones ever hit anything that high up anyway?

All the time.... but normally you dont notice, there isnt a board there

You're starting to worry me here, won't a decent board bag protect it?

[Dr Rev]

since when do stones ever hit anything that high up anyway?

All the time.... but normally you dont notice, there isnt a board there

Ask any motorcyclist how many times they've got smacked in the lid by stone, bird, whatever. Another reason to go down on the tank at 90mph.... or more...

SOOOOOOOO True !

[drowningbitbybit]

You're starting to worry me here, won't a decent board bag protect it?

Well, yeah.... but not at 100mph...

[Jonah_Fro]

Just two penneth worth.

I borrowed a mate's softrack and it scratched the hell out of my roof. Not sure if it was down to user error, speed, or naff-ness of the rack I used.

Upgraded to roof bars and haven't looked back

[Real Pol]

I borrowed a mate's softrack and it scratched the hell out of my roof. Not sure if it was down to user error, speed, or naff-ness of the rack I used.

I've got a double one and a single one. The single one I use at home and my boards are always in bags. We used the double one on a holiday once and just slung the boards on top wet. The salty water soaked into the straps and dried. A few months later I pulled it out and put it on my car, the salt scratched the paint around the door arches!

I still haven't cleaned them.