how fast can you go with surfboards on roof racks.

The fastest I have gone with my roof racks was around 75 -80 driving back to school. I'm not sure if there is a max speed for them though. I didn't want to test it and have my 2 boards go flying accross I-95.

 

I never go over 80-85mph, I've lost a board that wasn't strapped in right at 80mph, still can't believe it didn't kill anyone. I rope, strap and double wrap them f ers now.

 

Upside down backwards 90 mph

 

I've had the Thule roof rack and board holder for about 7 years, and I haven't lost a board or anything yet. I have gone probably 85 or so, probably faster on the way to the airport with three boards on top (the straps only fit 2 but I tie ropes to the ends to extend them for more boards; if you don't know how to tie knots I wouldn't recommend this). When I had my Nissan Altima, I once had 40 2x4 studs on there, and the racks held up fine! Now I have a truck with a cap, but I attached the racks to the roof of the cap, and use them to haul lumber, ladders, or whatever else I need to put on there. One thing to consider though, is the board length. If you're hauling a longboard, I would be careful going into a strong headwind over a bridge or something, but other than that I think a shortboard catches minimal wind if put on right (upside-down and backwards as stated by the above posts). Also, while Thule racks are great, in my youth I had just cheap 70 dollar surf racks, and I remember my friends and I stacking 6 boards on there and we never lost a board What a nightmare we must have been to the experienced surfers back then. What kooks!

 

w/ proper racks, & the boards strapped down properly (fins up & forward, don't be a kook) you can go as fast as you want. i've done 85 w/ a longboard on the roof in the past. IMO however, going faster than 80 is stupid unless conditions are perfect & you're a good driver. you become a danger to yourself & others. besides, w/ gas prices going the way they are, & the fact that most cars are at their most fuel efficient between 55-65mph, there's no reason to go that fast.

 

depends on what kinda car you have. My delorean acts really weird once i hit 88.

 

Classic......

 

you beat me to it!

 

where are you going to surf??? Forecast looks pretty bleak

 

I have the Thule rack system, use it to carry two longboards. I usually drive 75 or so, but have gone up to 85 with no problems. I usually add an extra Dakine tiedown strap for good measure, and check every hour or two to make sure everything is tight. I have a 3.5 hr drive each way to surf, been doing it a few times a month for a couple years with no problems.

 

As long as you set them up right and followed the install directions...you shouldn't have a problem. I used the hang two carrier (and the original rubber band setup and newer version). Carried SUPs, longboards, short...and all held on incredibly...at highway speeds. Never had a problem...

 

a question of balance....

i have yakimas on my camry. i have two 9+ boards and i position them back enough that they just nearly ready tip backwards. this cuts down on tendency to sail at 75+ i usually drive.

 

Early in the AM many years ago, dazed and hungover, leaving avon to make the 7 mile drive to buxton, we couldnt find the straps, so we fixed two longboards to the yakima roof rack with some old bungees. passing 4 cars at once, the driver, not me, hit 90mph and SNAP! we both look back to see the boards spinning through the air and slam into the front of an old minivan, who we just finished passing, breaking one board in half. we almost crapped ourselves until the minivan rolls up next to us and the three dudes in there were kinda smiling. sure enough their mom was in the car behind them and when they took off, she pulled up next to us and started yelling.. my boy threw it in reverse to avoid the verbal assault and we went back to collect the scraps. Now days even with a proper setup on my yakima, i refuse to exceed 85 mph. I've been in the truck with my boy joe when he's hit 95mph with two lb's on his thule and its scary. We could have killed those dudes in NC that day.

 

Less frontal over hang the better.....You can get locking staps and or attachments to properly secure your board. Inno makes a good one for Thule racks.
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/inno-racks-boardlocker-surfboard-rack.html

Yakima also makes a set of 12' straps that lock.