are soft roof racks any good?

Hi All

Finally got around to buying a car- well its more a glorified scooter its so small but was just wondering can soft roof racks be used for carrying a kayak- i'm assuming there are separate ones for kayaks and I cant just use my surfboard ones???? If I could that would be ideal. Have had a look online and some ppl say they are interchangable others don't.

Any ideas?

Hi Karen,
I had a soft inflatable roof rack before but I upgraded to a hard roof rack after a few trips (says it all, really!). With the soft racks, they can scratch or damage your car roof, the kayaks bounce around on them, rain can get into your car since they wrap around the roof through the doors and you shouldn’t put more than one kayak on them (my own roof has a slight dent after having one sea-kayak on it).

The hard racks are supported by the frame of the car & not the roof itself so they can take a lot more weight. They also hold the kayak much more securely.

Soft racks can be cheaper (around €60) and are handy in that they fit any car but I have no regrets about upgrading to a solid roof rack. Thule are one of the top brands (they cost around €120-€250) but there are cheaper brands like Pre-Alpina or Halford’s own brand (costing around €90) so there isn't a huge price difference for the extra benefits of a solid rack.

So my advice to you is to get a solid one! They will also make your car look cooler! Hope this helps!

Karen,
David is spot on! What kind of car did you get? I'm betting there are a tonne of members with old roof racks in their sheds. I know I have 3 at least. One for a old 3-door Almera, one for an x-trail and another that I dont know where it came from! Stick up the car model and you might find that some member has a rack to fit.

I have a set of old roof bars but they're are for a Mitsubishi jeep. I can bring them around to the club house as I might be going this evening. You can see if they fit your car

I have a Thule rack, short bars so I'm guessing they're for a small car, welcome to check them out.

Thanks Everyone- ok so if getting them hard racks are the way to go- I bought a toyota aygo- as said Miniscule. I won't b there tonight as i'm working, and wont have car til next week I'd say. If anyone does have a rack to fit please let me know! thanks

a toyota aygo .. ? a roof rack will be very handy 'cos when it rains you'll be able to pick it up and pop it in a protective box .. ! enquire from a toyota dealer, too .. but spurious or non toyota rack is probably the best option .. ! beware of anything on donedeal or adverts that states "IT WILL FIT ANY CAR" , as this is most often untrue .. ! also, 3 door cars have an unusual rack support system .. ! if you opt for something secondhand, fit it before you buy it .. !

Thule racks can be a good buy since you can change just the feet when you change your car. The bars can fit several different cars. Mind you the downside is the price.

try here, excellent service and great price

http://www.mchalecaravans.ie/

Ralph

Nicks garage do a range of racks from cheap to not so cheap I got mine delivered for under 100 no problems yet I've had 4 boats on them

Sean (Gadget) Lynn wrote:

a toyota aygo .. ? a roof rack will be very handy 'cos when it rains you'll be able to pick it up and pop it in a protective box .. ! enquire from a toyota dealer, too .. but spurious or non toyota rack is probably the best option .. ! beware of anything on donedeal or adverts that states "IT WILL FIT ANY CAR" , as this is most often untrue .. ! also, 3 door cars have an unusual rack support system .. ! if you opt for something secondhand, fit it before you buy it .. !

Hahahahahah - yes I figure I shall be able to store the car/glorified scooter in my living room and no one will notice!put I hadnt thoought about being able to put it in a protective box! thats genius! I nearly bought a moped actually- I hate driving - hence going for the smallest most inoffensive thing ( unless u love cars then you will find it very offensive) i could find....... I suspect I may get a slagging when I rock up in it! But you will all me jealous of my ability to park it on a euro coin!  and actually its a 5 door(ish!!!)

I have a Mont Blanc rack that should fit. Came off a Fisher Price Peugeot 206 originally

Harry O Brien wrote:

I have a Mont Blanc rack that should fit. Came off a Fisher Price Peugeot 206 originally

cool- I might let you know when i get the wind up toy / car delivered and then check it out..........thanks!!!

Karen. Talk to Evan about a customized roof rack. The man is a genius.

Luckily you bought a 5-door so racks are available. You didn't mention the year of the car, either way you're about to cross a minefield!

I find this crowd good, and shipping is fast. It'll give you an idea of what's out there. If you have a newer model than 2014 go back to the home page and change the car in the list: Click here for Roofbox.co.uk

One word of caution; if you are carrying sea kayaks you will need to tie them down front and back as well as on the roof, to stop the boats 'twisting' on the roof, see below. This potentially entails more cost getting ratchet tie-downs like Thule's Quickdraw or cheaper equivalents. I'm sure our ex-scout leaders can advise on knots to do the same job. Caution needed to avoid loose rope/strap rubbing the paint of the car.



The next question is finding something on the car to attach them too, normally the tow-hook which may be welded or screw in. If screw-in, you may need to buy an extra one for the other end of the car.

Finally (or not!), you need cam straps (not ratchet straps) to tie a kayak to the roof. Two short ones are preferable to one long strap as they can loosen slightly with vibration, wind etc. I recommend two 4 metre straps as a good choice to start, you will end up buying more at some point, if only as spares! Talk to Garret in Union Chandlery, he'll do you right.

Ratchet straps are easy to overtighten and damage boats

Cam strap:


Ratchet straps:

Paul Heff wrote:

Luckily you bought a 5-door so racks are available. You didn't mention the year of the car, either way you're about to cross a minefield!

I find this crowd good, and shipping is fast. It'll give you an idea of what's out there. If you have a newer model than 2014 go back to the home page and change the car in the list: Click here for Roofbox.co.uk

One word of caution; if you are carrying sea kayaks you will need to tie them down front and back as well as on the roof, to stop the boats 'twisting' on the roof, see below. This potentially entails more cost getting ratchet tie-downs like Thule's Quickdraw or cheaper equivalents. I'm sure our ex-scout leaders can advise on knots to do the same job. Caution needed to avoid loose rope/strap rubbing the paint of the car.



The next question is finding something on the car to attach them too, normally the tow-hook which may be welded or screw in. If screw-in, you may need to buy an extra one for the other end of the car.

Finally (or not!), you need cam straps (not ratchet straps) to tie a kayak to the roof. Two short ones are preferable to one long strap as they can loosen slightly with vibration, wind etc. I recommend two 4 metre straps as a good choice to start, you will end up buying more at some point, if only as spares! Talk to Garret in Union Chandlery, he'll do you right.

Ratchet straps are easy to overtighten and damage boats

Cam strap:


Ratchet straps:

Ha_ I'd say the sea kayak will be carrying my car! Its 2016! well it will be when registered! Think the most I'll be carrying is a wavehopper. Thanks Paul