Help! Bending roof!

[Ellie]

We have a soft rack, and it works brilliantly on my car ('92 Nissan Micra, sex on wheels!) but on Sean's Impreza the roof bows in when we do the straps up tightly enough to hold the boards on!

For short journeys in his car we've been putting the straps right at the front and the back of the front and rear doors to sprad the load a bit more/ Problem is, its fairly loose, and I don't fancy it dricing from York to the West Country!

Do you reckon some foam on the roof of the car would help?? Or shold we just accept that a 15 yr old granny car is far superior in surfboard carrying!

[Dr Rev]

Hey Ellie, would it be better if you invested in a proper roof rack ?
Considering that you will be surfing alot !

[surferdude_scarborough]

nah its fine they all do it a bit. shouldnt cause lasting damage

[rich r]

I'd be more worried about the boards.. might want some padding along the straps where they contact the boards so they don't pressure ding them.

As for the roof - eh -no big deal there. It'll flex back out.

[Ellie]

Are you sure it will flex back out?? The Impreza is te most important 'woman' in his life!

[oldiebeginner]

not sure about the "flex" back out... i'd go with S Boy and invest in proper roof bars.

i've got a Thule set, easy to use and on/off in seconds, also you can buy the locks for them which is advisable. oh yeah and loads of attachments.

Halfords do a cheaper version which look pretty solid.

bit of pipe lagging on the bars and your sorted.

straps, go for the webbing ones with the little release mechanism on (don't go for the Thule set though way over priced. Wilko's do the same ones alot cheaper.

Sean

[Ellie]

Thanks very much, I'll have a look for some roof bars to fit on the Scooby then!! Ohterwise it'll be the long drives in the Micra again

[xswind]

I recon your best bet is to suggest he changes his Impreza for an old VW van.

(Would he notice the performance difference?)

[Ellie]

I would LOVE an old Vw camper.....Maybes a trade-in?!

[waterlogged]

I just saw something called the "Bag-A-Rack" at Surf Expo.

It's a board bag and soft rack in one. Might mean you need a little less tension and stress on the roof.

www.9fishsurf.com

Good lock.