Paddleboard Rack/Ladder System

Adeybruce · Jan 30, 2020

Mounting a roof rack on the GC 680 seems impossible with no roof rails, and not least it has a fibreglass roof. Even if it was possible, with the Extra High Roof loading it would not be easy. I’ve been looking around for what might be possible. In my mind is that if there is strength enough for an awning on one side of the vehicle roof, perhaps on the other side a rail could be mounted. Access to the internal panels isn’t easy (though I understand VW is quoting in Germany 4 hours work to retro-fit the awning). On the opposite side there is the bathroom, which might make a full length rail impossible without a middle bracket.
So I‘be come to the conclusion that a side mount system is the way to go, using 2 seperate mounting points on the roof. What do you think? If I got a prototype made would anyone be interested? Picture of this Sprinter shows the general idea.

SailSki · Jan 30, 2020

That surfboard in the photo looks fairly short whereas paddle board tend to be a fair bit longer (unless purely for use in surf) so may have an issue with opening the door unless the rack were mounted further back

Hotel California · Jan 30, 2020

Is this legaly allowed ?

Adeybruce · Jan 30, 2020

SailSki said:
That surfboard in the photo looks fairly short whereas paddle board tend to be a fair bit longer (unless purely for use in surf) so may have an issue with opening the door unless the rack were mounted further back

Paddle boards are often over 10 foot long, but the 680 has the length for it. The ladder would be just in front of the rear wheel, the pole would be just behind the kitchen window. Allows a gap of 5 foot, leaving just over 2.5 feet overhanging the rack at each end.

Adeybruce · Jan 30, 2020

hotel california said:
Is this legaly allowed ?

Looking into that. Here’s a reply from a post on a different forum:

Depends on the country.

In Germany a width up to 2.55m with cargo seems to be ok. And if it protrudes more than 40 cm sideways over the lights, a marking is necessary.

In Switzerland it is not allowed that a rack, even without load, protrudes beyond the vehicle. There are no possibilities for exception etc.

Adeybruce · Jan 30, 2020

And to add, I wouldn't have the board that low; I would mount it much higher

Adeybruce · Jan 30, 2020

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

www.legislation.gov.uk

Would need to read the whole regulation more thoroughly, but it looks like 305mm lateral overhang is permitted. It’s going to be close!

Ch1pbutty · Jan 30, 2020

Adeybruce said:
Mounting a roof rack on the GC 680 seems impossible with no roof rails, and not least it has a fibreglass roof. Even if it was possible, with the Extra High Roof loading it would not be easy. I’ve been looking around for what might be possible. In my mind is that if there is strength enough for an awning on one side of the vehicle roof, perhaps on the other side a rail could be mounted. Access to the internal panels isn’t easy (though I understand VW is quoting in Germany 4 hours work to retro-fit the awning). On the opposite side there is the bathroom, which might make a full length rail impossible without a middle bracket.
So I‘be come to the conclusion that a side mount system is the way to go, using 2 seperate mounting points on the roof. What do you think? If I got a prototype made would anyone be interested? Picture of this Sprinter shows the general idea.

View attachment 54780

View attachment 54781

View attachment 54782

Attach the roof rails in the 3rd photo to the roof with Silkaflex, slide roof bars into these & get a ladder.

VW should be able to tell you exactly what’s hidden under the roof, so you might also be able to screw into it and use some wellnuts (+silkaflex) to attach the rail.

I’m sure that I have seen Hymer camping cars with roof bars, must be similar roof construction.

Bramco · Jan 31, 2020

Or an inflatable SUP?

Adeybruce · Jan 31, 2020

Bramco said:
Or an inflatable SUP?

Good idea. But that’s not the direction I want to head, hence developing a rack.

ArunAlec · Jan 31, 2020

Have you looked at Karitek? They make high loaders and can supply roof rails for retro fitting https://www.karitek.co.uk/shop/roof-racks-rails/all-roof-racks-rails.
Pretty sure Jerba use their rails on GRP pop top.

owen_h · Jan 31, 2020

How about a form of tailgate/ rear doors rack with the boards standing on end? Would probably only end up with only the nose of the board above the roofline on a GC.

something along these lines:

or

Might be able to adapt a towbar mounted bikerack.

Adeybruce · Jan 31, 2020

owen_h said:
How about a form of tailgate/ rear doors rack with the boards standing on end? Would probably only end up with only the nose of the board above the roofline on a GC.

something along these lines:

or

Might be able to adapt a towbar mounted bikerack.

oh that’s really interesting; had wondered if this was possible/sensible but hadn’t seen any examples.

Adeybruce · Jan 31, 2020

ArunAlec said:
Have you looked at Karitek? They make high loaders and can supply roof rails for retro fitting https://www.karitek.co.uk/shop/roof-racks-rails/all-roof-racks-rails.
Pretty sure Jerba use their rails on GRP pop top.

They look good, got a similar setup for my T25. Back to the problem that there’s no roof rails on the GC.

ArunAlec · Feb 1, 2020

Adeybruce said:
They look good, got a similar setup for my T25. Back to the problem that there’s no roof rails on the GC.

As I said, KariTek sell a roof rail kit which can be fitted to GRP a roof, might be worth a look.

Adeybruce · Feb 3, 2020

Youre

ArunAlec said:
As I said, KariTek sell a roof rail kit which can be fitted to GRP a roof, might be worth a look.

You’re absolutely right, sorry I missed you comment when I read it on my phone. I fear there’s very little spare space up there amongst the 3 roof lights, air vent and solar panels unfortunately - and suspect weight limit for the fibre glass roof. I’ll check it out though, thanks for the suggestion.

VanishingPoint · Feb 24, 2020

Might be a good idea to have a look at a commercial Crafter LWB with the same roof height. Looking at this picture gives an idea of the structure. There must be structural beams running side to side under the roof panel that would take the load.

https://www.volkswagen.com.au/content/dam/vw-ngw/vw_pkw/importers/au/showrooms/the-new-crafter-runner/side_trim_960x540.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.transform/med/img.jpg

A discussion with a company that adds roof equipment for trade Crafters might bring up some other options.