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Author Topic: Securing swag on roof racks?  (Read 14927 times)

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Offline Magnastar

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Securing swag on roof racks?
« on: April 24, 2015, 10:47:22 AM »
I've picked up a set of roof racks for my Nissan Pulsar and I'm thinking of putting my Darche Dusk to Dawn 1400 swag and my Coleman gazebo up there. What I'm worried about is whether or not the swag is at risk of coming off on the highway because it's not solid and there is a lot of movement when pushing on the bag and I'm concerned it may slide out from under the straps.

I had a bad experience losing a kayak off the back of my old ute at 110km/h once when I thought it was strapped down insanely securely so I'm extra cautious now. I also have never had roof racks.

Am I being worried for no reason or should I do it a certain way to ensure its safe as houses up there?
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Offline noel_w

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2015, 10:55:41 AM »
A bit more info on the type of roofracks will get you a bit more of a result as that will influence how you secure the swag. Just my $0.02
I would think that if you tighten the straps enough it will pull into the swag making it more secure.
I would be more worried about the gazebo being more of a solid package will not tighten down as much.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2015, 10:57:14 AM by noel_w »
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Offline Magnastar

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2015, 11:15:27 AM »
They are just the ProRack S-Wing Roof Racks. I was thinking of getting a basket to sit the swag in on the roof but it's just way too big, plus I'll be putting a kayak up there too so a basket wouldn't work.

Just paranoid when remembering the old kayak floating off in my rear view mirror and want to avoid the swag doing the same thing.
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Offline noel_w

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2015, 11:37:22 AM »
If it were me I would be getting some eye bolts that fit into the bars (two for each bar for the swag) and getting some ratchet straps to tie it down with. That shouldn't ever come loose.
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Offline chisel

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2015, 04:01:43 PM »
Soft things like swags and tents are a lot safer than hard things like kayaks ... just strap it down a bit harder with rope, ratchet strap, tight occy straps ... whatever.
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Offline ATC

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2015, 05:47:59 PM »
Quote from: chisel on April 24, 2015, 04:01:43 PM
Soft things like swags and tents are a lot safer than hard things like kayaks ... just strap it down a bit harder with rope, ratchet strap, tight occy straps ... whatever.

Ratchet Straps are the go - bit spend good money and get ones that won't have the plastic handles fall off.

Get the stuff on the roof, pack a bit more - tighten.

Drive for a bit - stop rest (revive / survive) - tighten.

Don't try to use all the tape / strap better to put a few extra on than zig-zag it back & forth from one side to the other the first few sections won't tighten, only the last.
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Offline Barry G

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2015, 09:50:12 PM »
Does the swag 'bag' have handles?
If so, pass the straps through the handles. 
Then the swag wouldn't be able to slip out from under the straps.
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Offline DarWen

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2015, 08:06:09 AM »
 My advice, strap each item to the racks separately, as tight as you get the strap on both the weight of the gazebo will always fine a bit of give in the swag when traveling. Darren.
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Offline eman

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2015, 10:49:42 AM »
Eye bolts on each rack as noel_w suggested, then ratchet straps over, under and back over. Once you're happy with how tight they are drive a couple of km and check again.
That's how I keep our 3 swags on the roof.
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KingBilly

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2015, 11:37:25 AM »
Quote from: B&B on April 24, 2015, 09:50:12 PM
Does the swag 'bag' have handles?
If so, pass the straps through the handles. 
Then the swag wouldn't be able to slip out from under the straps.

What I do and never have a problem. 

KB
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Offline Kangaron

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2015, 01:53:28 PM »
http://kanulock.com/
Terrific things

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bully

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Re: Securing swag on roof racks?
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2015, 04:14:15 PM »
I had a swag stuffed up the front of the boat that was upside down on top of the camper. I put a rope across incase it moved. Got to camp about 4 hrs later and it was gone. I still can't believe it fell out as I stuffed it in there tight. Anyway some one between Brisbane and bundaberg has a nice swag now. Didn't worry me but my young feller wasn't pleased sleeping on the floor with just a sleeping bag for a week.
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