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jonwlkerblak
Dec 20, 2009, 11:49 PM
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Registered: Mar 13, 2009
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Anyone with experience trying to mount pads on a 4 door sedan? I was thinking using webbing.... im doubting I'll be able to get two on top. If anyone has any experience with this and could help me out, or explain horror stories... it would be greatly appreciated.
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Myxomatosis
Dec 21, 2009, 1:07 AM
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 First of all I did not tie the matt down, so def not my fault...
But we lost my mates pad on top of a station wagon. He just looped some tie-down's over the top and started driving Luckily I heard the tap flapping in the wind which sounded different from before, so pulled over and the matt was gone.
Drove about 10 minutes back up the road and there she was on the side of the road still.
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wallmonkey35
Dec 21, 2009, 4:26 AM
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I have logged some serious miles with two pads strapped to the top of a four-door sedan. What we did was first strapped the two pads together, one on top of another, and then used some small cam straps to attach the pads to the roof, via encircling the pads and the roof by passing the strap through the windows. It leaves a little gap in the windows, so not great for serious foul weather, but worked well enough for me!
I bet webbing would work just fine, You just need to be sure to tie your knots snug. Also, I recommend threading the webbing directly through either a handle or the shoulder straps of the top (or even) both of the pads. That way even if they shift, they wont go flying off the vehicle.
Have a great road trip!
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brokesomeribs
Dec 21, 2009, 7:22 AM
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I've carried 2 pads as well. I had a Toyota Camry with Thule roof racks and a fairing. The first pad fit perfectly in between the roof bars and came up exactly level with the top of the bars. Adding the second pad on top worked (we used regular webbing to tie it down also, but it sucks and it's a hassle to cinch it down just right) but gas mileage beware - it adds a HUUUUGE amount of wind resistance and drag to the car. You can feel it right in the gas pedal.
Pro tip: Spend $5 or $10 and get the cam straps (rooftop cargo straps with a toothy buckle like on an ascender) at your local Harbor Freight hardware store. It will make your life much, much easier.
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Gelada
Dec 21, 2009, 2:37 PM
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I rode in my friend's Pontiac Sunfire (Two-door coupe) on the way up to Hound Ears recently and he strapped his Collosus to the top of his rackless car.
He used just straight-up webbing, threaded it through the handles and the flap the wraps around the pad to close it. He was pretty experienced at tying knots, but it is still a pain in the ass to get it cinched real tight again after taking it off.
We were able to close the doors on-top of the webbing so there was no issue of a broken seal.
I would also recommend tapping or tying down the backpack straps or other dangleys because you get accustomed to the sound of them smacking against the car in the wind, and may not notice the flap has come undone and the pad is achieving lift (which mayyyy have happened to us). This is a possible issue with the hook and loop closure system, so remember to tie or tape that area down too.
One more thing to consider is maybe wrapping the pad/pads in a tarp or some covering the case that it rains/snows. Now this would only add to the complexity of the whole deal, but may be worth it.
So, it is possible/has been done. Just gotta be aware of few things and be prepared for complications.
[Edited for possesive apostrophe]
(This post was edited by Gelada on Dec 21, 2009, 2:40 PM)
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qtm
Dec 21, 2009, 9:38 PM
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I second the tarp. Dirt and mud are bad enough if you keep your pad in a small apartment, but oil and tar from the road are just nasty.
I tie the knots inside the car. Open the doors, tighten as much as possible and tie the knots. When you close the doors (assuming you have a frame and not just a window), that will add a little more tension on the straps.
Depending on your car and your pad, open the pad up. Less height means less drag. But don't let it hang down over the rear window or you risk getting a ticket for an obstructed view.
As wallmonkey says, tether the pads so they don't go flying if something goes wrong. Since they're covered with a tarp you can't run the straps through the shoulder straps, so use a little extra webbing to create a tether that runs through the straps and out from under the tarp.
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markc
Dec 21, 2009, 10:04 PM
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I've not done this with a pad, but I've strapped loads of things to the roof of my Cherokee, which does not have a roof rack. I agree that cam straps will save you a world of hassle. Even if you just use a cam strap on the front and webbing on the back, it will be a huge improvement.
Don't run straps through the windows. You not only lose your seal, but you have to untie and retie to get people in and out unless you're crawling through the windows. (Disregard if there are only two of you, but it's still adds a hassle to open the rear doors.) Just tension the straps and shut the doors. With dedicated cam straps, you don't have to worry about the abuse.
If you have a dedicated tarp to protect the pads, you could attempt to cut and thread the webbing through small slits to make sure you're still through handles/straps on the pad.
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gmggg
Dec 22, 2009, 4:15 PM
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They do make flat hooks for clipping to your gutters. This is the best option for cars IMHO. Here is one company that will set you up with your choice of cam/ratchet and webbing, as well as flat hooks. Or you can build the rig yourself from almost any auto/truck supply store.
http://surfboardtiedowns.com/
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altelis
Dec 22, 2009, 4:47 PM
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1) You'll be fine, just tension it enough
2) As was said, dont go through the window, just close the door on it. Webbing is cheap, just dedicate the webbing to tie down duty. Once you start strapping stuff to your roof, you'll start doing it more. Plus, its nice to have some webbing in the car for emergency situations (yours or others)
3) You don't need a cam stop, just use webbing. Just tie a trucker's hitch- god's gift to riggers. http://www.netknots.com/.../truckers_hitch.html
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