Carrying an Elan chassis on a roof rack?

Post by: **Giff** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:19 am

Hi,

Quick one - plan to collect a chassis tomorrow - should weigh less than 40kg and have a roof rack rated at 75kg - sound bonkers or the safest thing in the world?

Thanks!

Post by: **Spyder fan** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 12:35 pm

It’s nearly 9 feet long and the part that will bear on the roof rack is quite narrow, but I don’t see why it can’t be securely ratchet strapped in place.

Put a couple of pumpkins on the turrets to make it look a seasonal ornament so the police leave you alone :mrgreen:

Post by: **elanfan1** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 12:46 pm

A family member did exactly that from Peterborough to Cardiff. No issues at all,

Post by: **Giff** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 1:10 pm

Ok getting ready..

Post by: **mbell** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 1:18 pm

I did it with a plus 2 chassis from Oklahoma City to Austin (400 miles) with out issue.

It's not very heavy so don't need very strong roof bars to support the weight but you do need to strap it down well to something strong enough for the loads under turning and breaking hard to avoid it becoming a projectile if you have to stop/turn quickly.

There is some variability in roof rack needs depending on what vehicle you are using, how the rack mounts to it and what you can secure the chassis to.

As mentioned a vehicle with long roof is helpful so you can place the bars under the wider sections of the chassis.

I did it with a Volvo xc70 which has a very long roof and in built roof rails. So I could use simple/cheap cross bars and strap directly to the vehicle roof rails to secure it. Which gave strong mounting points and external mounting points to hold it on position better.

Post by: **Spyder fan** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 1:30 pm

Giff wrote:Ok getting ready..

roof.jpg

Perfect

Post by: **nmauduit** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:00 pm

I've done it several times, also unloading single handedly with a blanket to protect the paint of the car, it's a bit heavy but is easy to tie or grab.

Post by: **pharriso** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:23 pm

I carried a Spyder chassis on the roof of a Fiesta back from Peterborough to Chelmsford Essex back in 1983...

Post by: **Giff** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:53 pm

pharriso wrote:I carried a Spyder chassis on the roof of a Fiesta back from Peterborough to Chelmsford Essex back in 1983...

My parents took me to London when I was a kid in 1983, had the rear seats of the Mk1 Cortina Estate folded down so my sister and I could sleep as we drove overnight.

Not sure that was such a great idea!

Post by: **Mazzini** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 5:54 pm

No problem.

Post by: **elated** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 8:40 pm

Been there, done that with a +2 chassis.
Simples there are negligible windage problems.
The secret is a minimum of 2 good quality ratchet straps well tightened then checked after 15-20 mins travel.
Bon chance