Choosing roof rails for paddleboard

[Scullers]

Hi - Just bought a Discovery 4 but without any roof rails. I've not picked the car up yet but I'm trying to figure out whether I need to look at the long roof rails to support paddleboards or whether the short rails will do the trick.

The boards currently sit comfortably on my VW Passatt but the longest of these is 14 foot. I't not heavy (some carbon in it), but lengthy!.

I've Added a picture below to give you an idea of what we're talking about.

Given where the cross bars will sit on the shorter rails, I'm wondering if the board is likely to sit just too far back? or, is it going to sit roughly where it does now on the VW (the front cross bar sitting just behind the drivers seat?

Appreciate you thoughts.

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[l00kin4]

This pic is of my long rails with crossbars (spaced to mount a roof pod) and a 2.5m awning. With a >4m kayak I reckon you might want long rails to set the front cross bar further forward...

RRP is pretty steep but with a bit of shopping around I bought mine from a dealer for ~$700 (still a bit steep, yes)

OR as another option, you can also put a crossbar at the front with just short rails i.e. bolt front feet directly into nutsert in roof. There is a thread specifically about this - I'll dig out a link. Edit: here it is, but unfortunately the pics are gone Third Roof Cross Bar on Lower Section of Roof (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/217271-third-roof-cross-bar-lower-section-roof.html)

David

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[Aussie Jeepster]

I've mounted a Rhino Vortex bar at the front, mounted into the nutsert in the roof.
Don't need any rails for it at all.
Alan


This pic is of my long rails with crossbars (spaced to mount a roof pod) and a 2.5m awning. With a >4m kayak I reckon you might want long rails to set the front cross bar further forward...

RRP is pretty steep but with a bit of shopping around I bought mine from a dealer for ~$700 (still a bit steep, yes)

OR as another option, you can also put a crossbar at the front with just short rails i.e. bolt front feet directly into nutsert in roof. There is a thread specifically about this - I'll dig out a link. Edit: here it is, but unfortunately the pics are gone Third Roof Cross Bar on Lower Section of Roof (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/217271-third-roof-cross-bar-lower-section-roof.html)

David

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[eddomak]

Given where the cross bars will sit on the shorter rails, I'm wondering if the board is likely to sit just too far back? or, is it going to sit roughly where it does now on the VW (the front cross bar sitting just behind the drivers seat?

Hi - Welcome to the forum!

From my experience, if you have a choice (which you do at this moment) you wouldn't want to rely on two cross bars that sit only on the upper/back section of the roof. I regularly carry sheet goods (plywood) that measure 2.4m long, and when I only use two cross bars on the rear there is already too much overhang for my comfort. I usually attach a 3rd cross bar to the front nutserts and this allows the sheet to be fully centred over the entire roof. (It was my thread that was linked to, and yes, the pictures got corrupted by the forum move a while back. [bawl])

[l00kin4]

I've mounted a Rhino Vortex bar at the front, mounted into the nutsert in the roof.
Don't need any rails for it at all.
Alan

Um, yes, that is what my post says.. short rails would be at the back. Unless you have also mounted rear bars into nutserts?

[Aussie Jeepster]

Um, yes, that is what my post says.. short rails would be at the back. Unless you have also mounted rear bars into nutserts?

The rear bars are mounted on Rhino Rack rails, but if I did it again, I'd use the nutserts in the roof at the rear as well - all it holds is a solar panel, and an Oztent RV4. It is more bulk than weight.

[Scullers]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Are we saying that I could consider having no rails at all and just mount cross bars directly using the nutserts?

I'm assuming that if I did this, there would be a height difference between a crossbar mounted at the front and any mounted at the rear?

[Lukeis]

I don’t have the short or long roof rails and my roof racks are both mounted on the high part of the roof with the front one just before the dip in the roof.
I carry surfboard regularly but nothing close to 14’

At that length I would probably want one further forward but looking at your picture the spacing doesn’t seem any different in my set up to what you have there. What is the distance?

[loanrangie]

Watching this one , I have short rails and cross bars and wondering if they will take my 16ft canoe.

[l00kin4]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Are we saying that I could consider having no rails at all and just mount cross bars directly using the nutserts?

I'm assuming that if I did this, there would be a height difference between a crossbar mounted at the front and any mounted at the rear?

Yes, that’s right although the ones I’ve seen set up like this have short rails at the rear and the front feet bolted directly into the nutsert. No height difference as the front feet are taller. I’ll find the pics and part numbers later when I’m on a pc rather than my phone. Pity eddomak’s pics in the other thread went missing. They showed it perfectly.

David

[l00kin4]

Hi Scullers,

I've done my best with part numbers but Rhino part numbers are a little confusing so overall I'd recommend if you can find a decent roof rack place, they'll sort it for you.

If you elect to fit short rails at the rear, then eddomak's setup as detailed in the other thread is what you want. Again, pity the pics are gone but all 3 bars nice and level. You'd have these legs (Rhino RLTP) at the rear

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and a leg like this (Rhino RLT506 - 80mm) at the front, bolted directly into the nutsert (don't worry about the pic showing heavy duty bars- either heavy duty or aero bars can be fitted to the legs), with a leg spacer (various heights are available).

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If you don't fit short rails at the rear, then the rear legs will be similar to the front, just shorter (Rhino RLT500) and the spacer required at the front possibly different. I say possibly as although the height starts lower as you have no rail, these legs are slightly taller than the RLTP legs.

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I noticed too that Rhino now also have these fixed point mounting legs (RFMPS2) which also might work - can't quite judge the relative height though or whether the foot will fit in the roof channel nicely:

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HTH
David

[cjc_td5]

When I carried my 5.7m (19') ski using roof bars mounted as far forward as possible on short rails, the ski was at balance point on the front bar when the front of the ski was level with the front of the bonnet. This left ~1m overhanging the rear of the vehicle. I now have long rails which enables me to move the front bar further forward so the ski is not as close to over-balancing on the front bar. Hope this is helpful.

Chris

[Discovered 1 2]

can strongly recommend Pro rack HD T17s, and they're on special at the moment at supercheap. I had them on my D3, then put the same pair on my D4 - rated for lots of weight and the instructions talk about long loads. I've had all sorts of weight and crap up there on them. (If you do have tracks you want T17s with K450 fitting kit

Roof Racks for Land Rover Discovery 2011, 4 5 Door SUV 2009 - Mar 2017 (Tracks) (https://www.prorack.com.au/cars/landrover/discovery/2011/45doorsuv-132861)

https://www.prorack.com.au/instructions/fittingkits/K450.pdf

https://www.prorack.com.au/instructions/roofracks/T17.pdf

Prorack Heavy Duty Roof Racks - T17, 1375mm, Pair - Supercheap Auto (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Prorack-Heavy-Duty-Roof-Racks-T17-1375mm-Pair/295380)

Painted mine black

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[Discovered 1 2]

Excuse me, Fixed point fitting kit..


https://www.prorack.com.au/instructions/fittingkits/K436.pdf

can buy these at supercheap too for around $70

[Scullers]

Many thanks. I will be taking a very close look at the Prorack. Are the claims about it being one of the quietest bars on the market justified?

[Scullers]

Looking at the prorack / wisperbar it seems I can either go with tacks or fixed point. The fore fixed point position looks to be towards the front of the rear section of the roof and may work just fine with the boards.

Other than the ability to move the crossbars back and forth on the tracks, is there any other reason to have them?

I like the lower profile look without tracks (and it saves around $400).

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ref: Flush Bar - The Seamless Look Roof Rack | Whispbar (http://www.whispbar.com.au/products/4/flush-bar)

[Aussie Jeepster]

This is what I have at the front of my D3.
It was built up with spacers so it is level with the 2 bars on the back.
Alan131369

[Discovered 1 2]

They’re pretty quiet. Can’t say I can compare them to any others though. Without side rails (ie fixed point) on standard 19inch wheels and 255/55r19, I can get under 1.9m with suspension in access height easy. In fact with 275/65r18s I can too with the lightest touch. There are in fact 4 separate existing threaded mounting points on each side meaning if anyone wanted you could mount 4 crossbars. 3 on the high part of the roof and 1 on the lower front part. I’m considering grabbing another pair to throw on to do exactly this so I can move our inflatable Stand up paddle boards without deflating them on the freeway.. Slightly lower front cross bar would accomodate my SUP rocker profile nicely and allow me to rope the back and the nose while the middle is still supported.

[Scullers]

Having spoken to the guys at Roof Carrier Systems in Camberwell (they can supply both the Whisper and Rhino systems), they recommended the Rhino trackmount platform.

Either of the following:

Vortex RST Trackmount (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/spares-brackets-components/roof-rack-parts/complete-roof-racks/vortex-rst-black-2-bar-roof-rack_rst_502)2 Bar (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/spares-brackets-components/roof-rack-parts/complete-roof-racks/vortex-rst-black-2-bar-roof-rack_rst_502)

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Vortex RLTP Trackmount 2 Bar (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/roof/roof-racks/vortex/vortex-rltp-trackmount-black-2-bar-roof-rack_ja2549)

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It gives me the flexibility offered by the track system but still significantly cheaper than the LR OEM track and cross bars.

I like the look of the RST.

Anyone using these?

[eddomak]

I am using the RST and that photo is actually my car used for the photo shoot for the Rhino website :D

I really like the low profile as we can still get into carpark that are 1.90m.

I have pretty much never slid the bars along the track, and with sports bars (where the end is captured) the movement is limited as the roof tapers towards in the front.

And back to your original question I then for long loads I use an individual bar on the front, mounted directly into the nutserts (hence my other post on the 3rd bar). It takes around 5 minutes to put the front bar on or take it off, which I do because I like the look of the car without the front bar better.

[l00kin4]

One part of making that decision I think is whether you may want to mount an awning. Much easier where the bars continue outboard over the feet.

David

[Reda7777]

I have the Rhino Rack RSPT 2 bar and also use Lockrack for my SUP. Love the convenience of Lockrack and just sliding the arms in and out when needed.

I only have surf SUPs max 10 foot and 2 bar system suits this length. Would maybe consider a 3rd bar on front section of roof for a 14 footer. Saying that if you look over on Seebreeze, (SUP Forum) DJ previously had his 14 footer on a Suzuki Swift roof for years and no issues, with plenty of overhang.

Photos for reference of my setup with 9.5 board, sag at front is just the material of the board bag and Lockrack arms are the 2 board arms.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/185.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/186.jpg

[Scullers]

>DJ previously had his 14 footer on a Suzuki Swift roof for years and no issues

you're absolutely correct on that count :) thanks for the pics of your boards in situ.

[Scullers]

In the end I went with the Rhino Vortex RST. Very please so far!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share their thoughts.


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[eddomak]

In the end I went with the Rhino Vortex RST. Very please so far!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share their thoughts.



Fantastic to see! Now let's see a picture of the paddleboards! [biggrin]

Will you be putting in a front bar as well?

[Scullers]

Fantastic to see! Now let's see a picture of the paddleboards! [biggrin]

this is with the larger board just resting on the bars. It's siting just behind it's natural balance point and I think will travel okay.

Thankfully, the fin just fits under the carport for loading, but I guess when I'm driving, the Disco will be a little higher yes? So it's likely to catch on the carport ceiling :(

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