Options for Carrying a Surfboard and Duffle Bags on a 2006 Toyota Prius
Question:
Hello, I have a 2006 Prius without racks. I would like to transport soft surfboards 1 long, 2 short as well as a cargo bag or box on the roof big enough to carry 2-3 small to medium duffle bags. Could you tell me how I could do that ie, what combination of products I could use? Im not opposed to putting racks on the car if necessary or preferable. Thank you!
asked by: Mary
Helpful Expert Reply:
You have a few different options for carrying your surfboards and duffel bags on your 2006 Toyota Prius, but the size and weight of your surfboards and duffel bags will determine which options will work best for you. First, I definitely recommend adding a roof rack if you plan on carrying anything on your roof because vehicle roofs were not designed to support much weight. Also, before loading any cargo on a roof rack, you will want to check your owners manual to verify the weight capacity of your vehicles roof.
If you verify that your duffel bags and surfboards fall within the weight capacity of your roof, then depending on the width of your surfboards, you may be able to use the Rhino-Rack ROC25 Roof Rack # RR82VR.
You could mount your surfboards directly to the crossbars using the Thule Surf Pads, # TH845000, and stack the surfboards on top of each other. For your duffel bags, your best option would be to use a cargo box like the SportRack Horizon, # SR7011, which is only 21 inches wide which leaves you about 29 inches of space for your surfboards on the crossbars. It's one of the narrowest cargo boxes we carry. Keep in mind, the Horizon weighs 29 lbs, so you will want to add that to the weigh on the roof.
If you determine that your surfboards and the cargo box will not fit on a roof rack, then I recommend using an economical roof rack for your surfboards like the Rola Sport Series Roof Rack, # 59728, and adding a trailer hitch and hitch mounted cargo carrier for your duffel bags. For a trailer hitch, I recommend the Draw-Tite Class I Sportframe Trailer Hitch, # 24808, and for a hitch mounted cargo carrier, I recommend the Curt Cargo Carrier, # C18110.
Products Referenced in This Question
Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class I
- 200 lbs TW
- 2000 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
19x47 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 300 lbs
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Flat Carrier
- Fixed Carrier
- 20 Inch Wide
- Standard Duty
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 48 Inch Long
- Class I
- Class II
- Class III
- Class IV
- Steel
- CURT
more information >
SportRack Horizon Rooftop Cargo Box - 11 cu ft - Black
- Roof Box
- Aero Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Long Length
- Medium Profile
- Small Capacity
- Passenger Side Access
- Black
- SportRack
more information >
Thule SUP and Surfboard Pads for AeroCrossbars - 20" Long - Qty 2
- Watersport Carriers
- Surfboard
- Paddle Board
- Kayak
- Crossbar Pads
- Thule
more information >
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