SOFT RACKS for 3-Door

[droog79]

Hi, i cant seem to find an affordable proper roofrack for a Peugeot 205 H Reg 3-door, so am looking into some soft racks.

These have to do at least 1000km to get me back to southern spain with a 6´6 and a 5´11 in a 7´bag so i dont want any that are going to fail or let the wind get under the bag and stick its nose in the air like i see so often on the m-way.
any recommendations for good racks for a 3 door?
cheers

[peteuk]

hi Droog , you can allways use an extra strap with the softracks over the front just to make sure everything is tight , thats what i do if i go on longer journeys,
regarding roof racks for the 3 door 205 , i have a citroen ax and racks for this fits the 105 and saxo ,i would think they would fit the 205 as well with the right fitting kit .pete


http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/15081937 ... sbar&cbt=y

[prjwebb]

We used to put the soft rack through the rear windows in my mates 3 door 106. Worked fine, but only ever did short trips locally.

[Poo Stance]

I've used the same straps for almost ten years now. Can't imagine how many miles they've done on the tops of my various cars. Whole west coast of Oz, East coast for months from Byron to Sunshine coast and down to Sydney. All round N&S Island NZ. Recent trip to france. Multiple Europe & CI trips. Untold UK trips. Lot of motorways and long journeys. They were the cheapest straps on sale at the time. In fact I think they're one of the last relics from when I first started surfing. Trying to think now what else is still surviving.

I used to put the straps through the windows too on my three doorers. I've seen people put them through the boot hooking onto the hinges. One thing about putting them through the windows is make sure you don't mangle the window seal when you yank on the end to tighten it up. Same goes for the door seal too really.

Whats wrong with a bit of rope, some towels and a good knot or two?

And should I be investing in new straps incase I've just jinxed mine? Where are they most likely to fail? Anyone had this experience?

[droog79]

thanks for the replies, not sure the back windows open. have to check but havent picked up the car yet......

pete: i´m being dense but not sure what that thing is youve linked to- do you mean you use those bits but with straps rather than feet and bars? i have no gutter/rails just a smooth roof.....

[droog79]

[Poo Stance]

If the window does open it'll prob be one of those pop windows that only tilt outwards. You can get the straps through them but it's trickier to get them tight. It is possible but this is when you start rolling the window seals off the frame (and sometimes even folding the metal the seal sits on. You can avoid it with some care, especially if you get someone to check/hold in place while you tighten it.

Not 100% those windows on a 205 open though. Never had one. Pretty sure they did on the 106.

[droog79]

anyone tried thee? reviews seem quite positive.......... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rack-Universal-Soft-650-Series/dp/B000WPN6KO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top



they seem to fit to the boot seal and front door hinges(!) http://www.rackinabag.co.uk/howToVideos.html

[morris]

Like Pete said, a third strap over the two boards will keep it secure at the front. The strap will be fine around the boot hinges on a three door, just make sure that you close the boot almost fully when you do the final tightening. If you're a bit worried, something around the two boards will keep them stuck, especially through the board bag handles.

Those straps are great, easy to use on trips abroad with rentals and Moroccan taxis - I've also had a sofa down from Bristol on the top of a Fiesta and a double mattress on the roof of my Clio using them... versatile Though don't forget the twist to keep them quiet.

[droog79]

cool, thanks for the prompt sound advice everyone- what a great forum this is.

[surfrat]

mate try this tip:
1. ditch fiance
2. ditch all her clothes
3. wind front seat back and remove head rest using hack saw
4. insert boards thru boot
5. drive to beach
6. surf

[peteuk]

hi Droog , yes the link is for the clamps only to fit the 205 , you need the bars and foot plates , what i was trying to say was instead of just looking for a set of racks specific to the 205 ,a thule roof rack that fits the ax 106 ,saxo with the fitting kit on the link will most likely do the job ,
it gives you more choice looking for a rack set ,
the fitting kit i am buying says its for a opening window and a fixed window , so the clamps must be the same for both types of window because you only get two clamps to fit the rear rack ,
if you do go down this route there are two types of thule rack that fit these cars , the old 950 foot plate type and the newer rapid fit type .both ar/nt interchangable but whatever type you get you can get the clamps to suit either ,
on the way in tonight there is a 205 up the road with roof racks , 3 door with fixed windows , it looks like the clamps just tighten down into the groove where the glass ends


pete

[droog79]

pete- thanks for the detailed clarification. that makes more sense now. i´ll have a look around on ebay etc

surfrat- what are you trying to say?- you know that ´fiance´refers to the male of the couple

[surfrat]

what can i say? she's a natural.....

[droog79]

i took a chance on the new fangled 20 quid x-rack so will let you know how it goes.................

[mr vic]

I have an old VW beetle from 1982 and I was having the same worries back in May. Unlike most newer 3 doors, the back windows can’t be opened at all and I was having a little trouble finding suitable soft racks. Due to the shape of the roof, a beetle needs special roofracks which would cost over €190!

I have a 7ft double board bag from FCS that came with straps and figured out I could put both straps through the front(only) door if it was positioned well. It did not hang too far forward, or make any noise on the freeway either. For a little extra support I used a rope to tie to the rear of the car. Perhaps a little crude, but did the job just fine!

[spaddywaddy]

Theres a good review here about soft racks http://www.rideonsurfshop.co.uk/surfboard-roof-rack-reviews/. It says you can use them with 3 door cars, but you have to place the straps throgh the boot and have a longish board