How often have you wanted to take your board out for a ride, only to realize you don’t have a car or truck big enough to carry it?
Or maybe you want to go surfing at the beach, but don’t have room for your board in your trunk. If you’re looking for a way to transport your board without having to pay extra fees, then you might consider using a roof rack.
A roof rack is a device that attaches to the top of your vehicle and allows you to attach items such as bicycles, kayaks, skis, snowboards, and other equipment. Roof racks are usually installed on cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and RVs.
They come in various sizes, shapes, and styles.
Roof racks are great for transporting large objects, but they also allow you to store smaller items inside your vehicle. In addition, they provide protection from damage and theft.
In this article, we will teach you how to secure your surfboard to your roof rack , so you can enjoy all the benefits of riding with your board…
What Is A Roof Rack?
The term “roof rack” refers to any type of attachment system that allows you to mount an object onto the top of your vehicle. These days, there are various roof racks available, with each one offering its own unique benefits and features.
When it comes to roof racks for surfboards, there are two main types: soft racks and crossbar racks. These racks are commonly used by surfers to secure their boards and protect them against damage when traveling.
But which roof rack should you use? Here are some things to consider before purchasing a roof rack for your surfboard:
Soft Roof Racks
Soft roof racks have been designed for surfboards and are extremely easy to use. You simply need to place your board between the two bars of the roof rack and tighten the straps. This type of roof rack is very flexible and can be adjusted to fit most vehicles.
However, soft roof racks do not offer much protection. The bars of the rack may bend if the load placed on them is too heavy. And since these racks are made of plastic, they can break easily if the load is too heavy.
Soft roof racks can be attached to a variety of vehicles, which means they are suitable for smaller, 3-door cars. When securing your board to a soft roof rack, make sure to tighten the straps properly. Otherwise, your board could fall off while driving.
Crossbar Roof Racks
Despite being compatible with surfboards, crossbar roof racks can be very difficult to work with. Especially when compared to soft racks and other fixtures. Crossbar racks consist of metal bars that run across the top of your vehicle, allowing you to securely attach your surfboard to the roof.
These types of roof racks are more expensive than soft racks because they require professional installation. But once installed correctly, they are strong and durable.
If you plan to travel long distances with your board, you should opt for a crossbar roof rack. It offers better protection than soft racks, and it won’t bend under extreme loads.
You can install crossbar racks on almost any car or truck, including small hatchbacks, minivans, and sports utility vehicles (SUVs). However, you will need to loop the straps multiple times to secure your surfboard and ensure its safety.
Now that you understand the different roof racks available, let’s take a look at how to put a surfboard on a roof rack.
How To Put Surfboard On Roof Rack
The best way to secure your surfboard is by using tie-down straps, which have become a standard in the industry. Tie-down straps allow you to safely secure your board to your roof rack without having to worry about damaging your board.
In most cases, these straps will come with a special tool that can be used to tighten the restraints and secure your board.
To make sure your board has been properly attached to your roof rack, just follow these simple instructions:
- Place your surfboard on the roof rack. Make sure that the board is flat and that the fins are located at the back of the car.
- The board will need to be positioned so that the nose curves downward.
- Place the surfboard in the middle of the roof length ways. Make sure that the tail end of the board faces up.
- Pass one of the tie-down straps about a third of the way down from the edge of the board. Loop this strap around the base of the board and then pass the second strap through the first one. Repeat this step until both ends of the tie-down strap are secured to the board.
- Tighten the straps as needed. If there is no strap tightening tool included with your roof rack, you can use a pair of pliers to tighten the straps.
- Make sure not to tie the straps too tight, as this could damage your surfboard or make it hard to remove.
- Once all the straps are tightened, check if the board is still stable. You can do this by placing your hand underneath the board and feeling whether it feels secure.
Should You Use A Surfboard Bag On A Roof Rack?
The short and simple answer is yes – you should always keep your surfboard in its bag when securing it to your roof rack.
This is especially important when traveling long distances since you don’t want to risk losing your board while driving.
But what happens if you lose your surfboard bag? Well, you’ll need to find another solution. For example, it is possible to use a heavy-duty travel bag, as this will create a protective layer between the board and the roof rack.
Conclusion
Putting a surfboard on a roof rack is a lot easier than it sounds. All you need are a few tools and some basic knowledge of how to tie down your board.
If you’re new to surfing, you may want to invest in an extra set of tie-down straps before attempting to put your board on a roof rack. This will help to avoid damaging your board during transport.
