Inflatable Roof Rack

BillJ

Hi, has anyone got any experience of these?

http://www.chmarine.com/acatalog/Handirack_Inflatable_Roof_Racks.html

My main question is would my roof get destroyed in scratches when using them?
It would be used to transport a kayak. Whats the clearance like when they are fully inflated?

View Profile

Used a handirak for years with my kayaks without any issues.

Once you make sure the kayak stays clear off the roof you'll be grand.

MadYaker

Its fine for one or two kayaks, anymore than that and your roof might get scratched and dented. I took 4 kayaks from Galway to Donegal on inflatables and my roof was dented and slightly scratched.... I just lay on the back seats and pushed the dents out with my feet. Didn't bother doing anything with the scratches, you only notice them if you're up close. They are for surfboards really.

BillJ

View Profile wrote: »

Used a handirak for years with my kayaks without any issues.

Once you make sure the kayak stays clear off the roof you'll be grand.

That's good to hear, i'm a bit obsessive at times when it comes to marks on my car so I was a bit worried.

BillJ

MadYaker wrote: »

Its fine for one or two kayaks, anymore than that and your roof might get scratched and dented. I took 4 kayaks from Galway to Donegal on inflatables and my roof was dented and slightly scratched.... I just lay on the back seats and pushed the dents out with my feet. Didn't bother doing anything with the scratches, you only notice them if you're up close. They are for surfboards really.

That's what I was worried about but I will only ever really be taking my own plus maybe one more max, i'll just have to be careful about it.

Or convince my friend with a jeep to start kayaking

MadYaker

I do a lot of whitewater kayaking and to be honest if you are planning on getting into it bigtime id just buy a proper set of roofracks from halfords or whatever. Thats what I've done, its much safer for long journeys and you don't worry as much about them coming off if you're on the motorway or whatever.

BillJ

Whats involved in assembling/ disassembling a proper set? is it time consuming?

The reason I was going for the inflatable is that I don't want to be driving around with roof racks all the time and they seem like the handiest solution, quick on, quick off.

listermint

Get a proper set, If you like your car.

Dont waste your time with these things seriously. If you value your car then these are not a solution to transporting kayaks.

I have a thule set for my car. It goes on in about 5-10 minutes tops and holds the Kayak off the roof and supported where it should be. These things are asking for trouble.

MadYaker

I'm actually in Finland at the moment and the car is back in Galway so I can't remember the brand. I think I bought them in France.

They clip onto 4 anchors built into the roof of the car. Takes about ten minutes to put them on/take them off. I think they cost around €150. I know other guys who have roof racks but they aren't detachable, I think it depends on whether or not your car has the anchors.

MugMugs

BillJ wrote: »

they seem like the handiest solution, quick on, quick off.

I use Thule racks and they take no more than 3 mins on and less off.

I can also carry four to five boats or a Canadian and a kayak in safety.

I've seen those inflatables and being honest I cringe every time I do.

A Kayak is a pretty large missile and if you're in a collision you're going to cause a LOT of damage to somebody!

If convenience of putting them on is your only concern then there's no reason not to buy decent racks.

Best thing to do is go to Halfords, get the name of the set suitable to your motor and ebay them. You'll make a killing on the saving.

MadYaker

I think Thule are considered to be the best, they are also the most expensive though. Mine aren't Thule I don't think....

BillJ

If it's that easy to take them on/off then I would definitely go for them, I thought they were a big hassle to put on off and once they were on you just leave them on.

My car is an e46 coupe and from a quick google it does have anchor points.

Will find out whats set to get from halfords and ebay it so, thanks for all the help lads!

MugMugs

BillJ wrote: »

If it's that easy to take them on/off then I would definitely go for them, I thought they were a big hassle to put on off and once they were on you just leave them on.

My car is an e46 coupe and from a quick google it does have anchor points.

Will find out whats set to get from halfords and ebay it so, thanks for all the help lads!

There's a rake of Facebook Groups for Irish White Water and the Irish White Water site itself with people flogging racks all the time if that's of any use to you. Happy Paddling.

BillJ

MugMugs wrote: »

There's a rake of Facebook Groups for Irish White Water and the Irish White Water site itself with people flogging racks all the time if that's of any use to you. Happy Paddling.

I'm only recently after joining a club and haven't thought to ask there, just assumed the inflatable ones would be fine!

Will have a look at those site. And happy paddling yourself sir, lovely weather for it.

biko

I'm sure the inflatables will be fine, you can stick a blanky under to prevent anything from touching the roof.
But tbh, "real" racks is sturdier and better for peace of mind, imo. They are also better for when you may want to carry something else besides kayaks.

mgbgt1978

BillJ, does your coupe have rear opening side windows ?
If not, then the inflatable rack won't work for you.
If it were me I would trawl through Ebay.co.uk for a proper set of roof bars and then use Parcel Motel to get them delivered.

listermint

BillJ wrote: »

If it's that easy to take them on/off then I would definitely go for them, I thought they were a big hassle to put on off and once they were on you just leave them on.

My car is an e46 coupe and from a quick google it does have anchor points.

Will find out whats set to get from halfords and ebay it so, thanks for all the help lads!

Mine is also an E46 they kepy the anchor points on the M3

get the Thule set, best out there i think all in mine came to about 110-120 Euro if i recall.

BillJ

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

BillJ, does your coupe have rear opening side windows ?
If not, then the inflatable rack won't work for you.
If it were me I would trawl through Ebay.co.uk for a proper set of roof bars and then use Parcel Motel to get them delivered.

Ya the rear windows do open. I was wondering what people without rear opening windows would do as they say that they fit 2 door cars as well.

Ya ebay seems to be the way to go, would they fit in a parcel motel? thought the parcel motel boxes were quite small

BillJ

listermint wrote: »

Mine is also an E46 they kepy the anchor points on the M3

get the Thule set, best out there i think all in mine came to about 110-120 Euro if i recall.

Someday I might own an M3, someday! i'll have to stick to the 318 for now, maybe 325 next, i'll just refuse to think about the tax till i've bought it :P

Where did you get yours? can't seem to find any on ebay for that price, halfords have it for 180

listermint

BillJ wrote: »

Someday I might own an M3, someday! i'll have to stick to the 318 for now, maybe 325 next, i'll just refuse to think about the tax till i've bought it :P

Where did you get yours? can't seem to find any on ebay for that price, halfords have it for 180

Had a 318 bought the kit for that. Then upgraded and the kit works for the M3 win win


should be like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thule-Roof-Bars-Rails-Rack-Fits-BMW-3-Series-Coupe-1999-To-2006-/290908441632?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item43bb7e8c20

I may have got a discount back then on halford offer at the time if i recall.

R.O.R

For Thule stuff, give Towing Equipment a call on 01 456 6780 - they are the Irish agents for Thule. No idea how pricing compares to the UK / Internet pricing, but if you are in Dublin you can collect to save on postage.

Roof bars wouldn't fit in a parcel motel box, and would need to be collected from a depot. We got 2 foot muffs for a child's buggy delivered and they were too big for the parcel motel - had to be collected from the Finglas depot at additional cost (but they were very good and took them out to the car for the missus).

BillJ

Right i'll give those lads a call as well, in cork so looks like I'm going to have to pay for postage regardless.

Looks like the ebay link works out roughly the same as halfords, at about 175. Can get 15% off with an axa card in halfords too.

Inflatable one for 70 quid is still tempting:pac:

listermint

BillJ wrote: »

Right i'll give those lads a call as well, in cork so looks like I'm going to have to pay for postage regardless.

Looks like the ebay link works out roughly the same as halfords, at about 175. Can get 15% off with an axa card in halfords too.

Inflatable one for 70 quid is still tempting:pac:

cost you more to repair the scratches

mate bought a 325 from a former kayaker.. ive seen their handywork.

fletch

BillJ wrote: »

Looks like the ebay link works out roughly the same as halfords, at about 175. Can get 15% off with an axa card in halfords too.

Halfords discount recently dropped to 10%

R.O.R

BillJ wrote: »

Right i'll give those lads a call as well, in cork so looks like I'm going to have to pay for postage regardless.

Looks like the ebay link works out roughly the same as halfords, at about 175. Can get 15% off with an axa card in halfords too.

Inflatable one for 70 quid is still tempting:pac:

If Towing Equipment are relatively cheap, and you aren't in a mad rush, might be able to work something out to get them down to Cork.

Towing Equipment are in with me fairly often, and one of their fitters lives local enough (he loves the 3pm jobs here) so could probably get them here handy enough, and we've a guy based in Cork who comes up to the office once a week for a day before heading back.

Option is there if needed, PM me if you need.

BillJ

R.O.R wrote: »

If Towing Equipment are relatively cheap, and you aren't in a mad rush, might be able to work something out to get them down to Cork.

Towing Equipment are in with me fairly often, and one of their fitters lives local enough (he loves the 3pm jobs here) so could probably get them here handy enough, and we've a guy based in Cork who comes up to the office once a week for a day before heading back.

Option is there if needed, PM me if you need.

That's very helpful thanks, it will be in the next few weeks before I purchase anything, was just sussing out the options first.

When I do go to purchase I'll be onto them and will drop you a pm if their price is good

MugMugs

What kind of boat are you carrying OP?

Playboat or creeker? Have you got a boat already?

BillJ

Ya I have one, it's a creeker, a winner storm.

Only started paddling a few weeks ago though with a club doing my level 2's and have been using their gear, want to get out and start using my own now!

No problem using the club gear and boats so not in a major panic to get the roof rack just yet

mgbgt1978

R.O.R wrote: »

Roof bars wouldn't fit in a parcel motel box, and would need to be collected from a depot. We got 2 foot muffs for a child's buggy delivered and they were too big for the parcel motel - had to be collected from the Finglas depot at additional cost (but they were very good and took them out to the car for the missus).

Collected various oversize (& over weight) parcels at my local (Limerick) Parcel Motel. They never charged anything extra.
You would have to go quite a bit oversize & over weight to be charged....according to their FAQ's.

mgbgt1978

These....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E46-COUPE-99-05-Summit-roof-bar-cross-bar-SUM-108-/360471465938?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item53edc60fd2

....would set you back no more than €85 landed in cork (with parcel Motel).

edit; you will have to collect them from your nearest Nightline Depot, but there should be no extra charge for the package being oversize.
http://www.parcelmotel.com/howmuch.html

BillJ

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

These....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E46-COUPE-99-05-Summit-roof-bar-cross-bar-SUM-108-/360471465938?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item53edc60fd2

....would set you back no more than €85 landed in cork (with parcel Motel).

edit; you will have to collect them from your nearest Nightline Depot, but there should be no extra charge for the package being oversize.
http://www.parcelmotel.com/howmuch.html

Definitely something I will look into as well, nearest nightline depot isn't too far away from me

mgbgt1978

Much better option would be the proper roof bars.
If you ever want to add a bike rack, Roof-box, carry a ladder, etc....

...apart from the safety aspect, and less risk of scratching your roof.