Roof Racks

[stormvault]

What you might want to add to that list is a good set of ratcheting tie downs. Probably one of the best inventions ever.

The upside to the Yakima set up is that if you end up getting a different car all you have to replace is the little clip things instead of buying a whole new rack. I am not sure if Thule is set up the same.

[rainbowgirl28]

What you might want to add to that list is a good set of ratcheting tie downs. Probably one of the best inventions ever.

I have an extensive collection of ratchet tie downs.

I currently just throw the poles right on the roof, wrap the straps around, go in the doors and ratchet them inside the car. Very secure, but when it rains hard it brings water in the car, and ruins the roof and the weather stripping.

[vaultmd]

If you buy from REI, join the co-op for $15. As a member you can return anything at anytime, no matter the condition for cash or store credit.

You also get a yearly dividend which is about 10% I think.

You guys are aware that rainbowbabe is from WA, same place as where REI got its start, don't you?

[superpipe]

This is a great post because I was always looking for a better way to carry my poles on the car. The specific pole carriers you can buy from track suppliers are pathetic. I think Thule racks are the best for vaulting poles becasue of their load stops and sail boat mast holder called "get-a-grip". The get-a-grip works perfect for carrying 2-3 poles in a pvc tube or carrying a single pole. The reason it's the best is because it takes about 1 second to securely attach your poles on and off the rack. Don't have to worry about adjusting ratchet straps and where to put all the excess strap. Trust me, this "get-a-grip" thing is the best thing ever invented for carrying pole vault poles. Yakima makes something similar, but it's not even close to being as good as the Thule one.

I have two sets of the get-a-grip attachments. These are better than the load stops in that the get-a-grip has soft rubber where the poles rest and on the hold down straps. This keeps the pole/s or pvc tubes from sliding or turning. I can't say enough about the get-a-grip. Every vaulter with a Thule roof rack should have at least one set.

Here's info on the "get-a-grip" and load stops.

Get-A-Grip -> http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages ... a-grip.asp

Load Stops -> http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/Bas ... /1025.aspx
Load Straps -> http://www.rackwarehouse.com/t523.html

04/10/10 -> Unfortunately Thule stopped making the get-a-grip. My guess is because the plastic/rubber around the metal cable gets shredded after awhile. I have two sets of there and that's my only issue. Still works fine. You can still find them at dealers that have them left in stock as I changed the link above to a dealer page. Also note, the get-a-grip can hold more than one pole. I've had like five poles in it and they are very secure. Poles were not in any tubes though.

04/10/10 -> The load stops with the thule load straps are the ideal for pole bags. Why Thule load straps? Because they have a really nice rubber buckle protector that is a must for not scratching anything. I carry two full pole bags on my car roof rack with this system. Plus, the rubber buckle protectors keep the pole bags from sliding forward. I've driven 70 mph on the highway for hours with this system.

[cdmilton]

FYI, Yakima also makes Load Stops.

http://yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=94

I have never had a problem with lateral movement with a pole bag on top of the car. I always secure them with a bungee that is looped on the inside of the tower so it can't slide off. I have "tested" this and I can pretty much take a corner as fast as I want and the bag doesn't move. The only thing I do reccommend is to secure the bag in the front and back as well if your roof rack bars are close together to prevent bouncing.

[rainbowgirl28]

^bump

[Barto]

Anyone with experience using the inflatable rack?

[superpipe]

^bump. I updated my post above about the thule rack info.