Advice re: carrying a load on the roof rails

pint6x · Mar 21st, 2007, 15:02

This might sound like a daft question, but:

In a couple of weeks I will be driving my V70 D5 down to Italy and I need to transport a pine table. Now the legs come off so they'll go inside the car, but the tabletop will be wrapped in a blanket, then strapped to the roofrails.

It occurs to me that this could act like a giant aerofoil, or try and lift up - given that most of the journey is motorway at speeds of 80-100mph - is there any way I can stop this happening or anything i can do to minimise any danger of the table top being forced off the roof or something?

I can't fit the table top in the car as my wife and 3 children will be travelling with me!

Fordy · Mar 21st, 2007, 15:17

Try driving slower...seriously, just 70 ish. Economy will go right down if you try to keep the speed up.

I assume it's wide enough to go straight on the rails, you don't need bars?

I wouldn't bother wrapping it, tie a sock or cloth around the rails at the 4 corners if your worried about scratching it. Tie it down securely, to stop both side to side and front to back movement. Invest in some ratchet straps maybe?

I'm no aerodynamic expert, but I reckon it would be better with the flat side uppermost as if the (table) rails are uppermost it may create lift. Or you could wrap the whole thing in tarpaulin for a wing effect

GMcL · Mar 21st, 2007, 17:05

Or contact one of the national removal companies and ask if they have a truck going down near to where you are and put it in there.

What it costs you, you'll save at the petrol pumps.

CTCNetwork · Mar 22nd, 2007, 01:33

Hi,

It will certainly alter the dynamics of the car..!

May be worth considering building a box for it, to at least disguise the wing-like qualities of the top..

Do make sure you strap it down good. Use a few of those ratchet driven loading straps and make sure they are tight..

Des. . .

cootuk · Mar 22nd, 2007, 03:07

If it slips back a little it will just look like you've got a great big 4ft chavvy spoiler

Mar 21st, 2007, 15:02	#1
pint6x pint6x Last Online: Feb 17th, 2011 03:31 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location:	Advice re: carrying a load on the roof rails This might sound like a daft question, but: In a couple of weeks I will be driving my V70 D5 down to Italy and I need to transport a pine table. Now the legs come off so they'll go inside the car, but the tabletop will be wrapped in a blanket, then strapped to the roofrails. It occurs to me that this could act like a giant aerofoil, or try and lift up - given that most of the journey is motorway at speeds of 80-100mph - is there any way I can stop this happening or anything i can do to minimise any danger of the table top being forced off the roof or something? I can't fit the table top in the car as my wife and 3 children will be travelling with me!

Mar 21st, 2007, 15:17	#2
Fordy Member Last Online: Mar 25th, 2013 18:01 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Milton Keynes View Photos By: Fordy	Try driving slower...seriously, just 70 ish. Economy will go right down if you try to keep the speed up. I assume it's wide enough to go straight on the rails, you don't need bars? I wouldn't bother wrapping it, tie a sock or cloth around the rails at the 4 corners if your worried about scratching it. Tie it down securely, to stop both side to side and front to back movement. Invest in some ratchet straps maybe? I'm no aerodynamic expert, but I reckon it would be better with the flat side uppermost as if the (table) rails are uppermost it may create lift. Or you could wrap the whole thing in tarpaulin for a wing effect Last edited by Fordy; Mar 21st, 2007 at 15:19. Reason: too many rails...

Mar 21st, 2007, 17:05	#3
GMcL 0's and 1's Last Online: Jun 19th, 2024 19:54 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: -	Or contact one of the national removal companies and ask if they have a truck going down near to where you are and put it in there. What it costs you, you'll save at the petrol pumps. __________________ 2011 Volvo S60 D3 R-design Premium - 2020 Focus ST estate automatic - 2020 KIA eSoul 150kW 64kwh EV Previous: 2005 Volvo S60 D5 Sport - 2017 Focus RS

Mar 22nd, 2007, 01:33	#4
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, It will certainly alter the dynamics of the car..! May be worth considering building a box for it, to at least disguise the wing-like qualities of the top.. Do make sure you strap it down good. Use a few of those ratchet driven loading straps and make sure they are tight.. Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Mar 22nd, 2007, 03:07	#5
cootuk Premier Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2013 20:52 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: bradford	If it slips back a little it will just look like you've got a great big 4ft chavvy spoiler

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