Soft Rack Help

All surfing hardware topics here. Boards, leashes, racks, wetsuits, boardies, surfgear, ding repair, wetsuit repair, surf wax...... you get the idea

Soft Rack Help

Postby CoolBeans » Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:11 am

Hi, I recently bought these soft racks from blocksurf and was wondering if it is normal for them to lift in the middle while driving at around 65-70? I read the reviews and everyone says that they go freeway speeds and they stay secure but for some reason mine seem to like to lift in the middle in between the 2 boards. Note: I have a small lexus ls 400 on which i put 2 longboards with boardbags on. Here is a linke to the racks http://www.amazon.com/Block-Surf-Single-Wrap-Surfboard/product-reviews/B000J47RD0/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
CoolBeans
New Member
 
Posts: 10
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:53 am

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby PapaW » Sat Jan 29, 2011 2:03 pm

Sounds like a mixture of them not being tight enough and also put the boards on upside-down.... acts like a spoiler and will press then into the roof as opposed to them lifting.

Also put a couple of twists in the straps to make them do the same (and stops them buzzing)
User avatar
PapaW
Surf God
 
Posts: 3551
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 12:48 pm
Location: Causeway Coast, N. Ireland

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby CoolBeans » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:20 pm

I do put them upside with fins first, but should i try the fins in back?
CoolBeans
New Member
 
Posts: 10
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:53 am

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby PapaW » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:06 pm

Humm well that shouldn't make much difference.... what car are u using it on.. does it have a particularly curved roof?
User avatar
PapaW
Surf God
 
Posts: 3551
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 12:48 pm
Location: Causeway Coast, N. Ireland

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby CoolBeans » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:24 pm

http://www.carsdirect.com/1996/lexus/ls_400/pictures Its. a 1996 lexus ls 400. It doesnt seem like it has much of a curved roof compared to most cars.
CoolBeans
New Member
 
Posts: 10
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:53 am

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby SFisburning » Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:24 am

i've been told the best way is upside down and fins first. if something were to happen, like the straps coming loose, the fin would catch on the strap.
SFisburning
New Member
 
Posts: 6
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:59 am

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby demo1976 » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:02 am

I am having a similar problem. I just bought my first board which is a long board. bought the soft racks to transport it. Having never traveled with a board ( always rented when i got there) I've noticed that there is a lot of lift when i reach higher speeds ( 55-60). After dropping $600 bucks on my board i'm a little nervous as i am about to take a 6 hour trip. As long as the board is secure I don't have to worry about it snapping due to the wind sheer, right? Also ive got the racks and straps around the board as tight as i can get em. I'm also sure the "excessive" movement is due to the fact due to my truck being out of comission its on a ford mustang which has a pretty curved roof. board is fin first and upside down
demo1976
New Member
 
Posts: 1
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:57 am

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby Surf Hound » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:20 pm

I had the same problem securing my board to a 1998 Lexus GS350. I just strapped another Da Kine Strap around the the front section of the board and tighten it down a bit. If you only use the straps that come with the soft racks you will have alot of play while driving. One strap indepedent of the soft board staps did the trick for me. Now my board is secure while driving and I feel better driving NOT seeing my board kinda pull up while driving. Use the two straps that come with the soft board racks then use one strap that goes all they around the board and rood and crank it down a bit and that should solve your problem. It did for me
User avatar
Surf Hound
Local Hero
 
Posts: 219
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:06 pm
Location: Los Gatos, CA

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby jaffa1949 » Mon Feb 28, 2011 6:00 am

I could resist! I hope you've got a nice rack now :lol:
I've taken up troll hunting just for fun, instead of a rifle I'll just use a pun! 冲浪爷爷
User avatar
jaffa1949
Surfing Legend
 
Posts: 8182
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 12:01 am
Location: The super secret point breaks of Ober Österreich ( how many will notice the change)

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby CoolBeans » Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:47 pm

Just did what surf hound said to do and my racks work now! Thank you so much, now i will be able to use less gas by not putting the boards in the gas guzzzling excursion :)
CoolBeans
New Member
 
Posts: 10
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:53 am

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby jconway2002 » Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:30 pm

PapaW wrote:Also put a couple of twists in the straps to make them do the same (and stops them buzzing)


if this works you are my hero!
jconway2002
Grom
 
Posts: 26
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:11 pm

Re: Soft Rack Help

Postby samozz » Thu May 12, 2011 7:51 am

Hay Guys

I've just bought a pair of Claw Lockable soft surf racks and they are doing the job perfectly. After reading your posts I think its just what you need.

The lock is inside the car and there is a steel cable in the mesh of the webbing so no one can cut through it and steel your boards.

It also has all the benefits of a hard rack with none of the draw backs!

Take a look on www.claw-lock.com

I hope this helps !

Samozz
samozz
samozz
New Member
 
Posts: 14
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 7:40 am


Similar topics

Return to Surfing Hardware