Re: [Paddlewise] Safety Responsibility and Roof Racks

From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 1998 10:55:34 -0500 (EST)
On Fri, 27 Nov 1998 Johnlebl_at_aol.com wrote:

> There has only been one post concerning the method of securing the tower to
> the roof.  That is the usual weak point of the chain.  Most have overlooked
> this.  

I currently drive a saab and the roof rack attaches to the vehicle by way
of brass inserts in the car frame, that are under the door weatherstripping.
There are 8 inserts in the roof, 2 settings fore and 2 aft.  A pin on the
roof rack clamp fits into the insert.  This method of attaching feels 
sturdier than the gutter mounted racks on my previous cars.

On a separate note I've lost several roof racks from cars.  The most dramatic
being a sheet of 1 inch plywood that took the roof racks, complete with 
wimpy chrome gutter covers off of my girlfriends car.  I heard a "foop" sound
and looked in the rear view mirror to see the sheet of plywood, with racks
attached doing a tailstand in the lane behind me.

If you still have a vehicle with gutters make sure the rack is securing to 
something integral to the vehicle...

Before Yakima/Thule appeared Grumman made roof racks.  We lost 2 of those
racks, the feet were only about 3 inches wide and weren't stable enough.
Once we came to an abrupt stop and the front rack tipped over dropping both
canoes onto the roof.  The other time my father lost a Xmas tree, with 
racks attached, but I expect that was an oversight attaching the rack.

kirk
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Received on Sat Nov 28 1998 - 08:03:37 PST

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