quick transport-on-minivan-roof question - Page 3

06-16-2004, 09:19 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> David Kerber wrote:
>
> > In article <cap3ia$8t2$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
>
> >> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
> >> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge
> >> Caravan with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so
> >> miles from Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the
> >> big interstate highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or
> >> so (passing through Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
> >>
> >> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
> >> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of
> >> course) and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a
> >> regular
> >
> > Use rope, not bungee cords, and put down an old blanket or something
> > to protect the top of the vehicle, and they should be fine. You
> > could even leave the front wheels on if you want.
>
> Don't use those cheap, discount store bungee cords. Otherwise, stretchy is
> preferable to non-stretchy. A bit of stretch keeps everything tight as the load
> shifts, and keeps knots from loosening. Use nylon or dacron rope with a bit of

Good point. I use nylon for practically everything, so don't think much
about it.

.....

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06-16-2004, 12:00 PM

Henry wrote:
> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge Caravan
> with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so miles from
> Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the big interstate
> highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or so (passing through
> Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
>
> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of course)
> and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a regular
> occurrence, so spending a pile of money for a "real" rack is something
> we'd like to avoid. I figure i can buy a cheap tarp and wrap it over the
> front/top of the bikes to keep out any major downpours, and use duct tape
> and/or bungee to keep it all from flying away. The minivan will only
> be unattended during rest stops, and I can also u-lock them to the
> roof rails (these are just cheapish $300 bikes).
>
> Advice, anyone?

Go ahead and do it. Use toestraps (ah, memories...) for more secure
attachment. I always secure each bike in two places. Those racks have
cut-outs on the metal piece that runs the length of the car, and you
can thread the strap through it if the cross-strut is not convenient.
A bonus: makes the car easy to find in a parking lot.
HTH
--Karen M.

06-16-2004, 12:00 PM

Henry wrote:
> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge Caravan
> with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so miles from
> Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the big interstate
> highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or so (passing through
> Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
>
> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of course)
> and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a regular
> occurrence, so spending a pile of money for a "real" rack is something
> we'd like to avoid. I figure i can buy a cheap tarp and wrap it over the
> front/top of the bikes to keep out any major downpours, and use duct tape
> and/or bungee to keep it all from flying away. The minivan will only
> be unattended during rest stops, and I can also u-lock them to the
> roof rails (these are just cheapish $300 bikes).
>
> Advice, anyone?

Go ahead and do it. Use toestraps (ah, memories...) for more secure
attachment. I always secure each bike in two places. Those racks have
cut-outs on the metal piece that runs the length of the car, and you
can thread the strap through it if the cross-strut is not convenient.
A bonus: makes the car easy to find in a parking lot.
HTH
--Karen M.

06-16-2004, 12:00 PM

Henry wrote:
> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge Caravan
> with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so miles from
> Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the big interstate
> highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or so (passing through
> Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
>
> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of course)
> and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a regular
> occurrence, so spending a pile of money for a "real" rack is something
> we'd like to avoid. I figure i can buy a cheap tarp and wrap it over the
> front/top of the bikes to keep out any major downpours, and use duct tape
> and/or bungee to keep it all from flying away. The minivan will only
> be unattended during rest stops, and I can also u-lock them to the
> roof rails (these are just cheapish $300 bikes).
>
> Advice, anyone?

Go ahead and do it. Use toestraps (ah, memories...) for more secure
attachment. I always secure each bike in two places. Those racks have
cut-outs on the metal piece that runs the length of the car, and you
can thread the strap through it if the cross-strut is not convenient.
A bonus: makes the car easy to find in a parking lot.
HTH
--Karen M.

06-16-2004, 12:00 PM

Henry wrote:
> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge Caravan
> with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so miles from
> Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the big interstate
> highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or so (passing through
> Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
>
> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of course)
> and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a regular
> occurrence, so spending a pile of money for a "real" rack is something
> we'd like to avoid. I figure i can buy a cheap tarp and wrap it over the
> front/top of the bikes to keep out any major downpours, and use duct tape
> and/or bungee to keep it all from flying away. The minivan will only
> be unattended during rest stops, and I can also u-lock them to the
> roof rails (these are just cheapish $300 bikes).
>
> Advice, anyone?

Go ahead and do it. Use toestraps (ah, memories...) for more secure
attachment. I always secure each bike in two places. Those racks have
cut-outs on the metal piece that runs the length of the car, and you
can thread the strap through it if the cross-strut is not convenient.
A bonus: makes the car easy to find in a parking lot.
HTH
--Karen M.

06-16-2004, 12:00 PM

Henry wrote:
> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge Caravan
> with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so miles from
> Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the big interstate
> highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or so (passing through
> Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
>
> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of course)
> and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a regular
> occurrence, so spending a pile of money for a "real" rack is something
> we'd like to avoid. I figure i can buy a cheap tarp and wrap it over the
> front/top of the bikes to keep out any major downpours, and use duct tape
> and/or bungee to keep it all from flying away. The minivan will only
> be unattended during rest stops, and I can also u-lock them to the
> roof rails (these are just cheapish $300 bikes).
>
> Advice, anyone?

Go ahead and do it. Use toestraps (ah, memories...) for more secure
attachment. I always secure each bike in two places. Those racks have
cut-outs on the metal piece that runs the length of the car, and you
can thread the strap through it if the cross-strut is not convenient.
A bonus: makes the car easy to find in a parking lot.
HTH
--Karen M.