I noticed that. But I've never had one and don't know if it would hold up to a 5'3" surfboard laying sideways. I do have access to a welder and could fabricate my own, but has anyone transported anything large-ish on them? I'm impressed with the bike rack in this thread. LOL. My trunk needs to be completely painted, so I'm tempted to just bolt some studs on and start welding a frame to it. Then paint it black or something durable.

Thats funny, because I have been searching for the right piece of luggage to put on the rack as an accessory to the car. I don't plan on putting anything in the suitcase, but thought it was nice to find an era specific piece. I was able to find a vintage piece the other day at an estate sale. Now I just need to find those leather straps to hold it to the rack.

If anyone has those straps or know of a DIY site, please let me know.

Thanks
Jeremy

Something like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PIECE-SETof-L ... 0754813322

or these:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_kw=Ha ... raps+Belts

"Leather Luggage Straps" Google search is a wonderful thing. There are others too.

That is exactly what I'm looking for....HOLY CRAP those are expensive, just for a few strips of leather and a buckle.

I might just look into making my own as long as I can get some strong/thick leather and a good buckle.

Thanks for the links.
Jeremy

I made my own last summer. Found cheap black leather belts (like $9 each) on ebay and bought a snap kit from a local leather supply house. Used them on a weekend trip last summer. Not shown in pic but this is what they were holding down and they worked like a charm.

couldnt see a thing behind me though...

Awesome set. Did you have to extend them together or were you able to find them long enough to go around it all with just one strap?

How many straps did you use on that set. I have seen that people will use 2 vertical (in line with the car) and 1 perpendicular (one across the car)?

Thanks
Jeremy

I ordered something like 5 or 6 extra large belts then cut them to fit. I did 2 front to back and 1 side to side as you mentioned and the bags were quite secure. It's probably good to know what you're going to strap down before you cut the belts so you make sure theyre long enough. Also, as you make the "loops" make sure they fit around the tubing... my prototype one was a bit too snug and it was really hard to engage the snaps.

I just looked at the ebay links and I see theirs are simply super long straps that wrap all the way under the rack and around the luggage...mine have twin snaps on each end on loops that fit around the rack tubes.

i didn't even think about attaching them to the rack and buckling them down then. I planned on wrapping all the way around the rack too.

With that information I think I have it all figured out....just might need some light duty leather tools now.

Thanks
Jeremy

I had a cooler full of beer strapped to mine last summer, ended up getting pulled over too....
Cop just laughed, and said I was fine but he wanted to see my car!
It was a pretty great day

That's hilarious.

jimmycakes401 wrote:Anyone ever throw a short surfboard on a luggage rack? I have some boards that are the same width as the car and with warm weather coming I'm thinking I may need to buy a rack or build one or something. It would be too much fun. I only have to drive about 15 miles on back roads to hit the beach. Suggestions? I don't have a roll bar or a rack... we'll start there.

I've carried a 5'-ish Al Merrick that I use for wakesurfing, and it fits sideways. I just bungee cord it to the rack. I also use the rack to carry my 11' SUP, but it takes the car from being a two-seater to being a one-seater:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/troymckaskle/8722572859/

i used to use a soft rack on the rear truck and mount the short boards across so that the nose and tail would stick out over the sides of the car. just had to be real careful that the canvas wouldn't scratch paint.

ha! thanks guys. the board I'm going to use is a 5'3" wooden mini simms. just about since building it. sideways should work nicely. I tried googling surfbiards and spiders. I git a few images but nothing I wanted to try. thanks!

my car came from sanacruze im sure its had a board or two on the rack
when the rack was on the car