Carrying a tinny on top of a Commodore

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 11:08
ThreadID: 17547 Views:3243 Replies:7 FollowUps:1
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I wish to carry a 3.15m tinny ('V' nose punt) on Thule bars on the roof of my VT Commodore. Overhang will be 1.10m each end. The bars are spaced 95cm.

The boat weighs 65kg and has a beam of 1.32m.

Has anyone done a similar thing please? If so, was it successful and safe enough. I would travel at 85 km/hr max.

Is there a problem with wind shooting up the windscreen and into the boat?

Thanks,
Dave
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Reply By: Baz (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 12:17

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 12:17
I would find out the max weight that can be put on the roof of your car first (eg) my Explorer is 120kg, other than that don't see a problem they get put on top of campers all the time as long as it is tied down securely.

Baz.
AnswerID: 82989

Reply By: bruce - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 12:34

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 12:34
I carry a 12ft similar boat on top of a Falcon wagon..but use 3 bars..not a bit of trouble with wind , in fact the boat acts as a wind deflector for the van and I get better fuel economy with the boat on than with out it ....cheers
AnswerID: 82994

Reply By: Leroy - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 12:36

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 12:36
I'd be concerned about the wind shooting up the windscreen and into the boat. For 2 reasons. I wouldn't want the boat to fly off if not secured to the bars and I wouldn't want the bars to rip off the car. I haven't seen the mounting system for the commodore but there would be a fair bit of force/air pushing on the boat. I would give the Thule distributor a call and see what they think.

Leroy
AnswerID: 82996

Reply By: theshadows - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 15:16

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 15:16
should not be a problem I carry mine on the wifes VY commordore roof using Thule "aero" bars {same ones I brought for my Terrano} with out a problem .
Over 11kms there is slight creaking noises of the "bars" settleing down on the roof.
the upside down tinny hull creates a lot of down force on the car .

shadow
AnswerID: 83009

Reply By: Utemad - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 15:40

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 15:40
I had a VT wagon for work once. It had a roof max capacity of about 80-85kg. Only ever had ladders on it though.
AnswerID: 83013

Reply By: floyd - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 17:06

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 17:06
The boat would be in a great place if you ever roll off the road and into a river. What is the carrying capacity of the boat???
AnswerID: 83020

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 20:27

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 20:27
LOL, floyd that's the best response I've read all day mate, good one!
0
FollowupID: 342077

Reply By: Doc - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 20:30

Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 20:30
I've covered thousands of kms with a similar tinnie on 2 thule bars on my Prado, with and without a caravan behind. I had some thule brackets that attached to the ends of the bars, to stop the tinnie moving sideways (sliding off the bars). I also had a rope securing the bow of the tinnie to the roof rack, and straps holding the corners of the stern to the tow bar, so I wasn't relying on the roof rack gutter brackets to hold it down. It was as solid as a rock at speeds in excess of 110 km/h, also on some fairly rough dirt tracks (but not at 100k!!).
Geoff
AnswerID: 83049

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