I am wondering if anyone can share their experience with roof racks for roof rails as my car only has two options (that i know of),

the rola RBXL www.rola.com.au/roof-racks.aspx#RBXL

or the Proracks www.whispbar.com.au/selectvehicle

Whisbar also make one in silver but i want them in black.

My question is, even with the rolas which have a rubber strip (apparently) will i need some pieces of foam over the racks to cushion the boards

The Proracks are plain aluminium so i will definitely need the foam tubes.

Basically no one stocks any of these for my car and the companies say i cant look at any because they dont display them (which is very poor service IMHO) hence why i need advice from people who already have racks on roof rails.

My question for anyone with the rolas is are they removable with ease because i would like to remove my racks when not being used, and with the Proracks i notice they are slightly concave upwards which dosnt look ideal for holding on boards flat.
Also is there any other solution i can use? would the soft racks work for example?.

Thanks for any advice.

I'd be getting the Rola RBXL and use some foam pads if I were you.

DJ

Check this.. www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/SUP-roof-rack-pads/?SearchTerms=How,to,make,roof,rack,pads

I have Thule and these work ok, i did have the pipe covering on the racks that used on hot water pipes but found this deteriorated in the sun such that it stuck to the boards, so i took those off and went with the black rubber strip only and now have chips in my new board so someone told me about playground equipment covering its UV stabilised and slides over the bar available at Clark Rubber.

I went to Clark Rubber and they have slide on pads made out of the same stuff as the playground equipment, $21 each, but they slide on, dont roll around, are nice and cushiony and are black too

Hope this helps

I have Prorack Whispbars on both my cars, one of which is a Kluger with roof rails. I have gone for through bar style on both cars to give a bit wider rack.

I have never had any trouble with them, they are by far the quietest roof rack I have ever had and carry boards with no issue. They do have a rubber strip on the top the same as the Rola, and you can get the HD version which has more rubber. I don't use pads or foam on my racks, just put the board deck down and between the rubber on the rack and the deck pad on the board all is good. Also means one less thing to go wrong when tying gear on the roof.

I have had Rola in the past, have a good look at them side by side and I think you will find that the pro rack are a bit better quality, easier to fit and quieter.

Lots of good info so far, thanks.

Have a look at the Thule SUP Taxi they're fantastic (we've got one on out car) fits 2 SUP's and lockable...

Rosscoe said...

I wanted something low profile, so went with the Whisbars (not through the rail) on my Prado. Yeah, I had to go with the silver, but they are really quiet and unobtrusive. I've had 3 SUPS and I surfboard on them for two trips Melbourne - Merimbula without a problem. I have also never used padding/foam and haven't had any issues.

Do you mind if i ask how easy they (the whisbars) can be taken off the car? Because i would prefer to take my racks off when not being used.

PS - if you can hear the wind noise from your roof racks and boards then your music is not loud enough!

Simondo said...

Is your next question straps?
FCS do some good "seat belt" material straps.

These locking straps are one of the options to secure your board, if leaving your car, with boards on roof.
http://kanulock.com/why.html

.............So what straps do people recommend?

My question in regards to the KanuLocks is will 2.5 metres fit 2 boards?

Because i wont require 3 or 4 boards but i may need to carry two on rare occasions.

Website says 4 metres for one SUP (or two), seems a little extreme to me though.

Maxeaus
2 sups, 4m straps for sure. I regularly carry my 14ft and 10'6 on top and it usually has about 1.5 ft of left over strap through the buckle. Decieving how 2 boards take up 3m of strap.

Maxeus, what type of car do you have and what shape are the rails.

Farquo said...

Clark rubber do a soft cover for roof racks, it has a plastic cover over the foam and costs about $60 for 2 lengths but works a treat to protect the board and also is sun resistant guaranteed for 2 years not to break down.

If i ever manage to get someone to actually sell me some roof racks ill keep that in mind, LOL.

Seriously though i like the look of the Neil Pryde pads myself.

Im going to be the only guy who owns 2 boards, kanulocks and rack pads and no bloody rooof racks LOL.

Shayne86 said...

quick question, what do you guys use to secure the boards down? little ratchet straps? just wondering as im gettting roof racks tomorrow and hopefuly a board very soon after :D

I can tell you the Kanulocks look very nice, when i have roof racks ill let you know how they go.

aus301 said...

go the 2.5m Kanulock straps, I have 4m and they are way too long with even two boards on the roof.

Awesome!!! might look into these today! was wondering how the best way to secue the boards down without havin someone help themselves


Cheers aus301

Kanu locks are very good although you have to be careful how tight you pull them. They are extremely easy to ver tighten and I know of at least two seperate cases where boards have been crushed/creased because of the steel running through them.