Erik Sprenne wrote: > My addition to this discussion is to ask that folks consider how the racks > are attached to the vehicle *if* they are considering using the proposed > tiedown system. [major snippage and some editing -- see below] > The reason this is suggested - we have two vehicles, one of which such a > tiedown system would work on, and on the other of which it would not - [snip] > [The one I question is on our] Saturn ('99 SL1), [which] uses Yakima Q Towers > and clips (Q67 and Q68) that hold > the rack on the roof by squeezing the roof between the clips/towers. The > Saturn has a plastic rain gutter molding attached to the edges of the roof > line, which makes the use of the rack system with the clips tenuous, and I > wouldn't be surprised if excessive forces - say those experienced in a > crash - would cause clip flexation, thereby allowing the racks and boats - > as a unit - to fly off the roof. With the Saturn, we **always** use bow and > stern lines attached to the frame of the car. I also use Q Towers on a vehicle with "aircraft" doors, and the clips go over a ridge just over the door opening, but which is covered when the door is closed. When the door is closed, it captures the outside of the clips, making it pretty secure. However, the aspect Erik mentions also makes me nervous: without the door's action, it is only the "pinching" action of the clips that holds things on. Anybody have serious problems with those clips? -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> I also use Q Towers <snip> When the door is closed, it > captures the outside of the clips, making it pretty secure. > On the Saturn the doors also hold the clips in place. I just find it very disconcerting that no matter how much the clips are tightened, the racks still slide fore and aft fairly easily, as the plastic molding that wraps around the edge of the roofline doesn't provide enough friction to provide a solid feel. Maybe I'm making mountains out of molehills, but moving racks make me nervous. I enjoyed everything about the experience of buying a Saturn except fitting roof racks on it. Adding bow and stern lines allows me to travel 500 miles at speed without having to worry about the load on the roof. And with the crossbars 27"/69 cm apart, anything other than the short WW boat *must* have bow and stern lines for stability in winds. Erik Sprenne (who prefers driving the pickup - until he pulls into a gas station) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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