Club 80-90 Forums

How do people store their surf boards on the outside of your van if you have a hightop?

Cheers, Jon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We have an adjustable Thule hightop roof rack that works well

That’s cool thanks for sending those pictures. I have seen something similar but figured it was bespoke handmade so didn’t give it a second thought. Now I know it’s Thule I’ll have another look. Any links would be appreciated.

Cheers, Jon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you have a Westy hightop then you want to be trying to find a Sherpa Translift - instructions PDF here - although I suspect it'll be like to trying to find hen's teeth. The fibreglass of the roof on these vans already has four fixing points for this rack built in.

They’re pretty hard to come by now as I think they have been discontinued.

But…. By incredible luck

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THULE-420-GU ... 635-2958-0

Negativegravity wrote:They’re pretty hard to come by now as I think they have been discontinued.

But…. By incredible luck

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THULE-420-GU ... 635-2958-0

Wow thank you. I will need to measure my hightop as mines a Sheldon so fingers crossed.

Thanks again. Cheers, Jon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

clift_d wrote:If you have a Westy hightop then you want to be trying to find a Sherpa Translift - instructions PDF here - although I suspect it'll be like to trying to find hen's teeth. The fibreglass of the roof on these vans already has four fixing points for this rack built in.

Mines Sheldon so perhaps this won’t fit. More I look, I’m tempted to seek someone that could make something similar to either of these to fit my van. Got to be easier than towing a trailer or messing about with a rear tow bar carrier thing.

Thanks for sending that though. Gives me something to go off. Cheers, Jon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Check with the seller, but they are telescopic. The photos on the eBay listing and on my van are set on their lowest setting. They can be adjusted for more height

Canterbury is near to me. l can collect on your behalf if it helps. Then arrange a courier.

maxstu wrote:Canterbury is near to me. l can collect on your behalf if it helps. Then arrange a courier.

Very kind of you. That is a possibility. Thank you.

I still don’t think they are tall enough, however, I’m going to ask a bloke I know if he could extend them easily enough. Get back to you tomorrow evening. Thanks again cheers, Jon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well after a long hard think, I reckon something like this may work.

The roof rack bars would need extending from their max height of 46cm by at least another 20cm. My mate said he could do that for me but it will be a lot of hassle, including buying the actual roof rack etc.

Thank you to everyone that helped me here.

I’ve read about something called a BuzzRack that fits on the tow bar. With one of those fitted and a bike rack, I should think I can transport a couple of boards, maybe a kayak and even a few extra bits quite safely.

I will post a picture once I’ve figured it out.

Cheers all, Jon.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

be aware the nose weight for the tow bar is only 75kg on a 2wd iirc, if you put too much weight too far back you will make the steering really light and potentially dangerous

Thanks for that info Aiden.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Was discussing nose weight a while ago with a mate of mine as I wasn’t aware of such a thing. 75kg isn’t much!

Now you mention it, I remember reading on here a topic about such a thing. I always have the area above the cab (Sheldon hightop) stuffed full. That may give me a couple more KGs to play with.

Any other tricks to offset nose weight. Please fire away?

Cheers, Jon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

maxstu wrote: ↑20 Sep 2021, 20:37 Canterbury is near to me. l can collect on your behalf if it helps. Then arrange a courier.

I've been searching far and wide for one of these for my hightop Vanagon. Would you still be willing to ship one of these to the US? I can't find them anywhere around here