Surf/Camping addition to my roof rack

[longeuayms]

I have learned so much from this forum I thought I would share this with everyone in case anyone else will benefit from it. This is my first project post.


Idea: To keep my wet surfboards off my roof rack after surfing while I'm at the beach.

Must accomplish:
1. No more salt water on the roof of my 4runner! (boards held off to the side)
2. Have an area to place my boards so they won't get damaged on the ground. (placed on foam)
3. Be cost efficient to make. (total cost around $60)
4. Be fun to make. (always fun inventing something new)

I started sketching out some ideas and ultimately came up with this one. I took the legs from an ez-up canopy (painted them black) and mounted them to my Drabbits roof rack so they can be extended out to the side of my 4runner creating a surf rack where my boards will be placed safely and they won't drip salt water onto my roof.

I will not be driving with the legs extended, just so we are all on the same page.

I mounted them to the roof rack with some U bolts.

Used piping insulation as the foam pad for the surfboards.

I know I will come up with some other uses for this set up when I'm camping. (Lantern holder, solar shower holder, etc).


Please post up any thoughts or questions about it, good or bad.

 

[Ducmonsta]

This is a fantastic idea! There are so many uses to this. You better get some patent work done before Thule or Yakima do. BRB...:bolt:

 

[WW501]

Wow! Looks like it came that way. Great work. And no joke on the patent. Could make some money off this idea .

 

[fishcrow]

Looks great.. Thanks for posting!

 

[4Surfin]

great idea... what are you doing for security? Not only is that cool and will draw attention, it will draw thieves

 

[sandcrawler]

i assume you'll also lash down the boards somehow? otherwise, one good gust of wind and a little salt water on your paint will be the least of your problems.

 

[85straight]

Great idea! Good platform for a DIY awning too. What about the car(s) next to you? Cant think of too many places/parking lots here in socal where other cars wont be an issue

 

[catastrofe]

Looks great. Just don't smack your head on the board getting in/out of the truck!

 

[rvdb]

cool idea I may need to "borrow" it, just a suggestion check out the water noodle things at pool places they hold up better than the hardware store stuff when I have used it.

 

[kittyhawksurf]

i assume you'll also lash down the boards somehow? otherwise, one good gust of wind and a little salt water on your paint will be the least of your problems.

That's what I was thinking too... BUT freakin awesome still.

 

[Steamtrain]

It looks like there is not that much space between the roof and the roof rack, so I'm wondering how you worked on the U bolts?


Looks sweet!

 

[bernardmwrangle]

Cool idea! Do the bars slide back in with the padding material intact or do you have to take the padding off to slide the bars back in? The picture of the bars on the rack make it look like it is a pretty tight fit. I put my board in a board bag before I put it on top, but there is still ding potential when you put your board on the ground while you get the bag out of the car. btw this hitch safe is a nice addition to a surf rig, a place to put your key now that you can't put these electronic keys in your wetsuit, not the strongest thing probably if someone was serious about breaking it but better than putting your key on the tire or in a hide a key. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_31powmt8q0_b

 

[longeuayms]

It looks like there is not that much space between the roof and the roof rack, so I'm wondering how you worked on the U bolts?


Looks sweet!

I could have taken the rack off for the install, but i just reached in the with an open hand to start threading the nuts then used a ratcheting box end wrench to tighten them up. You could use the box end wrench with tape on one side to hold the nut from falling out while you get it threaded on there.

 

[longeuayms]

Cool idea! Do the bars slide back in with the padding material intact or do you have to take the padding off to slide the bars back in? The picture of the bars on the rack make it look like it is a pretty tight fit. I put my board in a board bag before I put it on top, but there is still ding potential when you put your board on the ground while you get the bag out of the car. btw this hitch safe is a nice addition to a surf rig, a place to put your key now that you can't put these electronic keys in your wetsuit, not the strongest thing probably if someone was serious about breaking it but better than putting your key on the tire or in a hide a key. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_31powmt8q0_b

The bars slide back in by themselves. I'm going to have to carry the foam inside. ..already working on a cargo net set up for the ceiling area.

As far as other cars are concerned, if I'm parked next to a curb (which is where I normally park when I go surfing) that's a non issue.

Good idea on the hitch vault. I had that exact vault on my old truck. Worked great, but now I had a spare key made without the chip. That key goes in my wetsuit pocket. It will unlock the doors but won't start the truck. Makes it easier to get back in the truck when your hands are numb from surfing in the winter.

 

[longeuayms]

great idea... what are you doing for security? Not only is that cool and will draw attention, it will draw thieves

I have kanu locks. They are surfboard straps with steel rope running through the inside that go through a lockable cam buckle. Very safe.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0094...kanu+locks&dpPl=1&dpID=41wE-L4uVJL&ref=plSrch

 

[longeuayms]

cool idea I may need to "borrow" it, just a suggestion check out the water noodle things at pool places they hold up better than the hardware store stuff when I have used it.

Go right ahead and "borrow" it ..thats why I posted it up! I'll look into the pool noodles when this foam wears out.