Surfboard rack options for T6.1 California

[Elrao]

Looking for a surf rack for our new california.

Have a Thule SUP taxi which can be used with any aero style roof bars, but with the height of the bars and then the rack, the board sits quite high above the roof and if prefer something lower profile.

Any good options for the cali and the built in rails?

 

[owen_h]

For a surf or SUP board do you need anything more complex than a foam pads and cam lock straps? That would be as low profile as you can get with the existing aero bars. Most boards (surf/SUP/windsurf) have flat or very little V in the bottom profile so don't need complex carriers.
Either https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/Kayak-Roof-Rack-Pads---1-PAIR-1946.html or https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/Kayak-Foam-Aero-Roof-Rack-Pads-Pair.html#SID=69

Lots of people do the fabric cover ones but Lomo are the only place I've seen the hard foam ones.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Looking for a surf rack for our new california.

Have a Thule SUP taxi which can be used with any aero style roof bars, but with the height of the bars and then the rack, the board sits quite high above the roof and if prefer something lower profile.

Any good options for the cali and the built in rails?

Just put it in a board bag to protect it, then strap it to the aero bars.

 

[WelshGas]

Looking for a surf rack for our new california.

Have a Thule SUP taxi which can be used with any aero style roof bars, but with the height of the bars and then the rack, the board sits quite high above the roof and if prefer something lower profile.

Any good options for the cali and the built in rails?

Just be aware that whatever you use you will go above 2m vehicle height that will then restrict your usage of some beach front parking. 2m height restrictions are becoming more common.

 

[WelshGas]

Something like this

 

[Cal’ish]

Something like this

View attachment 87135

That is exactly what I‘m looking for, seems a lot easier than getting the boards up on the roof when windy, which in Sweden is a prerequisite for surfing waves. Has anyone managed to set this up on a non-hightop Cali?

 

[WelshGas]

That is exactly what I‘m looking for, seems a lot easier than getting the boards up on the roof when windy, which in Sweden is a prerequisite for surfing waves. Has anyone managed to set this up on a non-hightop Cali?

There are numerous makes etc but I presume straps that could be fitted into the roof attachment and secured or clipped onto a fastener under the vehicle with padding between board and bodywork could work. I’m no expert but I’ve seen a couple of normal Transporters, overseas, on my travels using such a system.

 

[owen_h]

If the issue is getting stuff onto the roof then the Karitek https://www.argyllkayaks.co.uk/shop/roof-racks-rails/easy-load-roof-racks system is the go-to solution. Load is secured on the side of the van and then pushed up onto the roof. Not cheap and usually used for heavier loads than surfboards/SUP.
I would be very nervous of having boards on the side of the van, especially on typical narrow lanes down to surf beaches in the UK.

 

[Johnboy]

Hi, I can offer a couple of options.
One is a low profile mounting system for Thule roof bars (ref ebay item 174835748912) - I can make different heights if needed. The other is a side loading roofrack which is a different animal completely. It will be ideal for multiple SUP boards with the right brackets, but I don't think it will work with the Thule SUP taxi very well and this would need to mount to the T-slot instead of the securing straps.

Message me if you would like any further details.

John

 

[Tarquers]

How about something like this?

 

[WelshGas]

If the issue is getting stuff onto the roof then the Karitek https://www.argyllkayaks.co.uk/shop/roof-racks-rails/easy-load-roof-racks system is the go-to solution. Load is secured on the side of the van and then pushed up onto the roof. Not cheap and usually used for heavier loads than surfboards/SUP.
I would be very nervous of having boards on the side of the van, especially on typical narrow lanes down to surf beaches in the UK.

It was just a suggestion as a method of keeping below a vehicle height of 2 metres as increasingly seaside car parks are putting up 2 m height barriers.
I personally haven’t come across any beach side roads that wouldn’t take a California + wing mirrors + an additional few inches.

 

[Cal’ish]

How about something like this?

View attachment 87141

Yep but the lower attachment looks like a permanent operation :/

 

[Tarquers]

Yep but the lower attachment looks like a permanent operation :/

Only way it would be secure enough I suspect. My neighbour has just had a wave camper which is a transporter conversion, and it has a similar mount on the rear quarter panel.

 

[Tarquers]

Hi, I can offer a couple of options.
One is a low profile mounting system for Thule roof bars (ref ebay item 174835748912) - I can make different heights if needed. The other is a side loading roofrack which is a different animal completely. It will be ideal for multiple SUP boards with the right brackets, but I don't think it will work with the Thule SUP taxi very well and this would need to mount to the T-slot instead of the securing straps.

Message me if you would like any further details.

John

Just ordered one of these to pick up in England!

 

[Blue Yonder]

Just ordered one of these to pick up in England!

 

[Blue Yonder]

Made my own foot mounts for the Thule wingbar evo roof bars. Even lower than the ones sold on ebay, which also keep the height of bars under 2m. Use for surf boards and SUPs.

 

[Perfectos]

Made my own foot mounts for the Thule wingbar evo roof bars. Even lower than the ones sold on ebay, which also keep the height of bars under 2m. Use for surf boards and SUPs.


View attachment 87155

That looks like a slick low profile set up

can you share the details of the mount please ?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Made my own foot mounts for the Thule wingbar evo roof bars. Even lower than the ones sold on ebay, which also keep the height of bars under 2m. Use for surf boards and SUPs.


View attachment 87155

Does the board bag not flap about on the roof as you’re driving.
I’ve found with surfboards, you need a bit of space between roof and bottom of board to prevent board bag sag creating noise…?

 

[Blue Yonder]

That looks like a slick low profile set up

can you share the details of the mount please ?

I did not keep the sketches of the wing bar feet I made, sorry. In brief, I used 20mm x10mm flat aluminium alloy bar x 100mm long x 4- off. Tap these for M8 helicoils. Made square washers M8 clearance from 5mm thick aluminium alloy to fit inside the bottom of evo wing bar. Drill down through wing bars 7mm to allow M8 torx dome head screw to be tightened from above. Open up hole on underside for M8 torx head screw. Purchased M6 x 25mm OD x 1.5mm thick x 4 off anodised washers. Open these out to M8 clearance and place this washer between Tee rail and wingbar on assembly. All items can be purchased from ebay. NOTE: Helcoils are required as threads into aluminium alloy are not strong enough without them. The cost for materials is about £40 so the same as buying the pre made low profile mounts on sale on ebay. They are a different design to mine 'and about 10mm taller. I am an engineer it was easy for me to design and execute my own solution, which as you say is ultra low but still has around 10mm gap between underside of bars and the roof. More than enough to strap down items to the bars. I suggest you go for the 127cm long bars as the longer bars make the California look like a builders van.

 

[Blue Yonder]

Does the board bag not flap about on the roof as you’re driving.
I’ve found with surfboards, you need a bit of space between roof and bottom of board to prevent board bag sag creating noise…?

No problems, but my board bags are specific to my boards thus are a good fit, unlike generic board bags which agree can be baggy and flap.

 

[soulstyledevon]

There’s a guy on Insta I follow who has a setup.

https://instagram.com/thecaliforniabeach?utm_medium=copy_link

Another German company

https://instagram.com/nd_rack?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[reserves]

With the bed down surfboards up to 9ft fit in the back comfortably.

If I’m travelling on my own that’s my solution, otherwise tied to the roof bars in the usual manner.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I have the standard VW roof bars. Must admit, I would mind something a bit lower. They do stand quite high on the roof.

 

[Elrao]

Hi, I can offer a couple of options.
One is a low profile mounting system for Thule roof bars (ref ebay item 174835748912) - I can make different heights if needed. The other is a side loading roofrack which is a different animal completely. It will be ideal for multiple SUP boards with the right brackets, but I don't think it will work with the Thule SUP taxi very well and this would need to mount to the T-slot instead of the securing straps.

Message me if you would like any further details.

John

Saw those brackets, looks a good option with the wider bars. Not sure my roof box (halfords with the thule jaw clamps) would fit.

 

[Elrao]

Made my own foot mounts for the Thule wingbar evo roof bars. Even lower than the ones sold on ebay, which also keep the height of bars under 2m. Use for surf boards and SUPs.


View attachment 87155

Looks good. Do you have a close up of the mount itself?