Rack brand for my car

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raffaeu
raffaeu
195 posts
195 posts
6 Sep 2010 9:10pm
Hi guys I have the need to buy a decent rack system now.
I bought the suxy Handy Rack on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Covers-Weave-Nylon-Handy-Inflatable/dp/B00062M8WU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1283774733&sr=8-1 and it falled apart after two times I used.
Now I saw the Yakima system that is pretty expensive but it seems to be really interesting and works for my car.
What system do you use and why?
I am considering to get an additional windsurf for my wife as she falled in love with this sport so I really need a good system which will not fall apart after a couple of loads.
Any suggestion is welcome.
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12872 posts
WA, 12872 posts
6 Sep 2010 9:19pm
I've just bought Rhino Racks for my car, and they seem very strong and well made, not cheap though.
raffaeu
raffaeu
195 posts
195 posts
6 Sep 2010 9:41pm
Wow, but which model did you buy?
I need an universal plug system because my Chevy Aveo doesn't have a standard rack system
WindmanV
WindmanV
VIC
819 posts
VIC, 819 posts
7 Sep 2010 9:37am
Good morning, Raffaeu,

Being in the US, you might care to consider racks from Thule. These are German, expensive and will last a lifetime. Suggest you Google for a dealer in your area to find out if they have a specific kit for your vehicle, or whether the dealer can adapt, using various parts.

Am reasonably sure that Rhino Racks are not sold in the US.

Hope this helps.
raffaeu
raffaeu
195 posts
195 posts
7 Sep 2010 9:27am
Thanks for the tip. I found the rhino product too expensive, as at least you come out with 400/500 uSD. I noticed that Thule and Yakima are close but different in price.
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
7 Sep 2010 9:55am
Usually you will find the racks that Chevy sell for your car with their own brand on it, which you can order at a Chevy dealer, are made by one of the other companies. Once you have a look at the factory ones from Chevy, you will see the exact same thing in a catalogue at an auto parts store, but much cheaper.

The Rhino racks on my 4WD were $300 - and the ones the dealer offered are made by Rhino and just have the car manufacturer's logo added but were $5-600

Sometimes though it can be the other way around if your car is maybe 5 years old and a new model has come out and the dealer needs to get rid of a few sets of racks. Worth ringing them to ask.

Have a look at Rolla racks also but they may not be available there?
nosinkanow
nosinkanow
NSW
441 posts
NSW, 441 posts
7 Sep 2010 2:25pm
I was curious to see what an Aveo is as we don't have Chevs in Australia. It's quite a small car, Unfortunately you had to find out the hard way with the inflatable roof rack idea, even over here I've seen similar ones on the highway with mal surfboards nearly sideways at 100kmh. Hate to think what they would be like with a windsurfer and gear on the roof as well.

I'm afraid that you will need to find a strong and reputable rack system as you have a very short roof line which tends to give you lots of board overhang on either end of the car. This puts a lot of strain on your racks if they are too close together which you are forced to do on your car. Yakima, Thule and Inno seem to be the most common on the USA mainland but like in Australia I'm sure there will be cheaper brands out there. I'm guessing you buy via Amazon because you have limited outlets locally?

As others have said, Thule are as strong as the excellent, and locally made, Rhino and Rola racks. With our current exchange rates our local prices + freight would be high. Amazon, as you know, sell Thule which I presonally would recommend as I have no experience with the other brands as we don't have them in Oz. I used to have Thule many years ago till my car got stolen and recovered sans racks. However, they had lots of years of very heavy old school boards loaded on them without problems.

I currently have Rhino on the Tarago (Previa) and the 4Runner is getting a pair of home made racks which is capable of exceeding Toyota's maximum roof carrying capacity.
raffaeu
raffaeu
195 posts
195 posts
7 Sep 2010 8:31pm
You are totally right. In Bermuda we do not have any dealer and Chevrolet sells a junky rack system for my car for 1,000 USD ... Here is f...ing crazy expensive, everything.
SO I got a Yakima system for the Chevy Aveo (Thule doesn't provide a perfect system for the Aveo) and got it from Amazon for 360 USD including taxes and shipment.
The car is pretty small and the 200 Lt board covers the whole roof. The inflatable was fine and cheap but I believe is not designed for a heavy windsurf board, it's just for a light and smaller surf board ...
Anyway I believe that a good rack system is mandatory for a windsurfer especially because it's the only way to get your equipment with you ...

PS: My wife loves this sport too, so ... we finally found a good match. Also I didn't know it was so easy to get on the board and sail. Really happy!
raffaeu
raffaeu
195 posts
195 posts
1 Oct 2010 10:18am
[UPDATE]
Last week-end I got the Yakima kit + Yakim strapthangs. Results: simply f... amazing!!
Mounted on my tiny Chevy Aveo a 200Lt boards + 430 mast + boom and sail; all over the roof and in 10 sec used the straps to firmly everything on my roof.
No sands in the car (well not a lot anymore), no pain, no dangerous mast going back and forward on my back seat (like Final Destination movie ...)
Wife happy as we can take our dog with us now and me happy as I take 5 mins to put everything on the rack.
Of course they are tested for 50 mph, no more (the strapthangs) but consider that in this british colony (Bermuda) where I live now the speed limit is 35 ... so no worry to lose your board or you sail.
Really satisfied!
I am not sure it will fit two boards .. as soon as I will get another one I will let you know.
Windxtasy
Windxtasy
WA
4019 posts
WA, 4019 posts
1 Oct 2010 10:36am
raffaeu said...

[UPDATE]
Last week-end I got the Yakima kit + Yakim strapthangs. Results: simply f... amazing!!
Mounted on my tiny Chevy Aveo a 200Lt boards + 430 mast + boom and sail; all over the roof and in 10 sec used the straps to firmly everything on my roof.
No sands in the car (well not a lot anymore), no pain, no dangerous mast going back and forward on my back seat (like Final Destination movie ...)
Wife happy as we can take our dog with us now and me happy as I take 5 mins to put everything on the rack.
Of course they are tested for 50 mph, no more (the strapthangs) but consider that in this british colony (Bermuda) where I live now the speed limit is 35 ... so no worry to lose your board or you sail.
Really satisfied!
I am not sure it will fit two boards .. as soon as I will get another one I will let you know.



There's another reason to get a smaller board!
No, really you should be able to sit two boards on top of each other, particularly if one is smaller than the other. You may have to remove the fin from the bootom one.

nosinkanow
nosinkanow
NSW
441 posts
NSW, 441 posts
2 Oct 2010 1:31am
Good stuff raffaeu, but be aware, don't pull down on those straps too much you can press the mast or boom into your board and damage something. Just tight enough so that you can't move the board's nose or tail around. That's plenty enough for your road limits. Also, when the straps get wet they can stretch, you'll figure out the limits after a while. Have fun!
raffaeu
raffaeu
195 posts
195 posts
2 Oct 2010 12:07am
Thanks guys!
Yep now the mail for Santa Claus is already done:
"Dear Santa, if you don't mind I need a 130lt board, a nice harness and a nice set of harness lines .." ... " ... if possible I wish to have everything with a cool color scheme ..."
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