Exterior surf board storage

Post it here, if it doesn't fit any of the above.

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Jonnyb416
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Exterior surf board storage

Post by Jonnyb416 »

How do people store their surf boards on the outside of your van if you have a hightop?

Cheers, Jon.


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Negativegravity
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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Negativegravity »

ImageImage

We have an adjustable Thule hightop roof rack that works well

Jonnyb416
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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Jonnyb416 »

That’s cool thanks for sending those pictures. I have seen something similar but figured it was bespoke handmade so didn’t give it a second thought. Now I know it’s Thule I’ll have another look. Any links would be appreciated.

Cheers, Jon.


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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by clift_d »

If you have a Westy hightop then you want to be trying to find a Sherpa Translift - instructions PDF here - although I suspect it'll be like to trying to find hen's teeth. The fibreglass of the roof on these vans already has four fixing points for this rack built in.
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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Negativegravity »

They’re pretty hard to come by now as I think they have been discontinued.

But…. By incredible luck

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THULE-420-GU ... 635-2958-0

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Re: Exterior surf board storage

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Negativegravity wrote:They’re pretty hard to come by now as I think they have been discontinued.

But…. By incredible luck

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THULE-420-GU ... 635-2958-0
Wow thank you. I will need to measure my hightop as mines a Sheldon so fingers crossed.

Thanks again. Cheers, Jon.


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Jonnyb416
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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Jonnyb416 »

clift_d wrote:If you have a Westy hightop then you want to be trying to find a Sherpa Translift - instructions PDF here - although I suspect it'll be like to trying to find hen's teeth. The fibreglass of the roof on these vans already has four fixing points for this rack built in.
Mines Sheldon so perhaps this won’t fit. More I look, I’m tempted to seek someone that could make something similar to either of these to fit my van. Got to be easier than towing a trailer or messing about with a rear tow bar carrier thing.

Thanks for sending that though. Gives me something to go off. Cheers, Jon.


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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Negativegravity »

Check with the seller, but they are telescopic. The photos on the eBay listing and on my van are set on their lowest setting. They can be adjusted for more height

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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by maxstu »

Canterbury is near to me. l can collect on your behalf if it helps. Then arrange a courier.
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Jonnyb416
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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Jonnyb416 »

maxstu wrote:Canterbury is near to me. l can collect on your behalf if it helps. Then arrange a courier.
Very kind of you. That is a possibility. Thank you.

I still don’t think they are tall enough, however, I’m going to ask a bloke I know if he could extend them easily enough. Get back to you tomorrow evening. Thanks again Image cheers, Jon.


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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Jonnyb416 »

Well after a long hard think, I reckon something like this may work.

The roof rack bars would need extending from their max height of 46cm by at least another 20cm. My mate said he could do that for me but it will be a lot of hassle, including buying the actual roof rack etc.

Thank you to everyone that helped me here.

I’ve read about something called a BuzzRack that fits on the tow bar. With one of those fitted and a bike rack, I should think I can transport a couple of boards, maybe a kayak and even a few extra bits quite safely.

I will post a picture once I’ve figured it out.

Cheers all, Jon.

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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Aidan »

be aware the nose weight for the tow bar is only 75kg on a 2wd iirc, if you put too much weight too far back you will make the steering really light and potentially dangerous

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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Jonnyb416 »

Thanks for that info Aiden.


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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by Jonnyb416 »

Was discussing nose weight a while ago with a mate of mine as I wasn’t aware of such a thing. 75kg isn’t much!

Now you mention it, I remember reading on here a topic about such a thing. I always have the area above the cab (Sheldon hightop) stuffed full. That may give me a couple more KGs to play with.

Any other tricks to offset nose weight. Please fire away?

Cheers, Jon.


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Re: Exterior surf board storage

Post by jakefromskatefarm »

maxstu wrote: 20 Sep 2021, 20:37 Canterbury is near to me. l can collect on your behalf if it helps. Then arrange a courier.

I've been searching far and wide for one of these for my hightop Vanagon. Would you still be willing to ship one of these to the US? I can't find them anywhere around here

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