roof / surf / kayak rack for romahomes

[cath]

hI there

I've been a (extremely happy) C15 hi-top romahome owner for the past 6 years, but recently have started surfing and Kayaking. Whilst I can get my board and kayak inside the van for general transportation, I'd like to have a rack on the top / somewhere to transport it when dirty / wet, and also for when I want to sleep in it! Have actually updated to a VW T4 for this very reason, but am already regretting it, and would still like to stick with a romahome, cos I prefer the layout.

This is a question I've raised before with various romahome sites / dealers before, but haven't found an answer - wonder if anyone's come up with anything lately, particularyl now that there seem to be so many strong adhesives on the market.

[wendy]

Hi Cath
Sorry can't help with your problem, but welcome to this very friendly little community.

[Graham]

Hi Cath

Likewise, I can't answer your query either but just popped on to say a big welcome and I hope someone comes along who can help you.

Graham

[cath]

THanks for the welcome messages - very nice. Hope someone comes up with something, as I'm a bit of a romahome fan really!

It doesn't have to be on the c15 - to be honest, I'll probably have to sell that one anyway - it's 18 years old now - has done great service, but I've just had a load of welding done, and I live right next to the sea, so it'll only need more again soon if I keep it. Time for a gentle retirement somewhere less salty I think!

Out of interest, are the berlingo based vans better on rust?

Best Cath

[Pauline]

Hi Cath and welcome from me too.

Can't answer your question but I was wondering, if it is possible to put a roof rack on top how would you get your kayak up there?

It seems rather high to me

[viv]

Hi cath, I also can't help you with advice on this but just wanted to say hello. How nice to be able to kayak and surf and live by the sea.
Viv

[ant]

Hi Cath.
The only solution to your problem would have to have lots of money thrown at it I,m affraid. Romahome could mould a rack support into the body during construction, which could have a bespoke roof rack made to fit the support. As you have realised you would have to shell out for a new van and the additional cost of the bespoke work.
Sorry can't think of any other way, glueing anything is not an option, the forces of the wind when travelling would require a very strong nut , bolt and plate fitting on a secondhand van. This woul give rise to condensation dripping off the fittings that went through the body.
Maybe a small trailer! ?
Ant

[jack]

See advice on Item 26 on the old Romaclub Forum.
www.network54.com/Forum/208662/page-3

[cath]

HI everyone

THanks for all the comments / suggestions - I'm sorry to seem ungrateful by not replying - I had a computer glitch over Xmas.

So - Wendy and Graham, thanks for the welcome messages - Viv - yes, it is lovely to live by the sea and go surfing - I've had a dolphin jumping around about 20 metres away from me once - magical. Absolutely everything rusts, but the benefits definitely outweigh the disadvantages, Pauline - yes, it is high - I'd been thinking of buying some folding steps and working on my lifting technique / balance!

Ant and Jack - thanks for the tech advice - it's the same as I'd heard before basically, so I guess i'm going to have to stick with the T4 - shame...... Will keep checking the site though.

Best Cath

[Graham]

Hi Cath

Welcome back, glad you got your 'puter problem sorted.

What a shame you can't indulge in your love of romahomes and your water borne hobbies without "throwing a lot of money at it" to quote Ant.

Never mind I hope you come back and tell us of your exploits with your T4, its not a requirement to have a Romahome to come on here.

Regards
Graham