Who Needs a Truck?

"SPAMBot - Horse Doctor" (spambot2002) 06/20/2018 at 12:34 • Filed to: None

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I finally came to my senses and decided I didn’t really need and SUV or truck. As much as I did want one, they are not practical for my situation. So, I did the next best thing.

11 ft board on a 13 ft car. What could go wrong?

I got roof bars for the Beetle. I’ve wanted these for some time and I’m super glad I finally pulled the trigger. I bought them lightly used on Craigslist. I set up the bars based on some directions I found online and they seem to work perfectly. I was going to get a specialized SUP carrier but I just threw some foam down and used straps. That kept the board very secure for the 1.5 mile drive to my launch point. So, I’ll probably just keep doing that for the foreseeable future. I want to get a bike rack for one side so I can start riding trails again. There are so many good spots to go just a short distance away.

It was interesting driving with a huge pine sun-visor

I previously used a garden cart that I modified with a tow bar. The bar then coupled to my bike with a receiver I made. It worked really well but was a PITA to ride down with the board in tow. This is much much easier so I can now go before or after work.

Now that my vehicle is practical, I can start looking at unpractical sports cars again! (somewhat kidding, kind of serious)

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 12:40

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How many dead bodies does it fit over say, a regular crewcab shortbed?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 12:40

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The Ferrari needs a roof rack too.

thejustache > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 12:44

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Looking good! As a heads up I was taught to strap down my surf boards with the fins in the front - that way if the straps came loose and the board slides back the fins should catch it. It did save me one time on the highway

vicali > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 12:47

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That looks perfect up there.. Boards and bugs go way back..

Here’s our 16ft Canoe on the Tacoma;

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/20/2018 at 12:53

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Depends on how small you chop them up.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 12:56

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I need to get back into surfing/beach related boarding activities. How is the stand up paddle board?  

Ash78, voting early and often > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 12:59

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A truck would be crazy inefficient. Almost as inefficient as using a SUP to go anywhere ;)

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 13:00

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That just looks right imo.

404 - User No Longer Available > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 13:03

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*Insert newspaper cat*

I should get a roof rack (for my F30).

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 13:21

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I put a 17 foot canoe on my Mazda 3. It carries it really well. I use Thule load bars. The canoe is several feet longer than the car.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 13:26

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My first four cars were all VWs (Dasher wagon, GTI, Vanagon and Rabbit Pickup), so I always had surfwagon duties covered. Then I got invested in my career and started driving BMWS, Porsches, Benzes, and didn’t have time for surfing.

Now that I have the perfect car again, a Mazda5, and spare time, I find myself living 1800 miles away from where I grew up in SoCal. Maybe when (if?) I retire I can return home and be a beach bum again....

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/20/2018 at 13:31

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Can I borrow a blendtec?

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 06/20/2018 at 13:32

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I’ll just stick a board out of the open roof ;)

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > thejustache 06/20/2018 at 13:35

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Yeah, I read about that. When I actually went down to the water, that is how I mounted the board. These pictures where from the day before, just to see if it would be secure without a special carrier. Also, it’s easier to load/unload that way since the indent handle thing is on the correct side when you pull it off.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > vicali 06/20/2018 at 13:37

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Once I threw it on the roof, it felt right. Might not have the charm of the old bugs and their awesome chrome racks, but I’ll allow it.

Is it hard to load the canoe? I’m only like 5'9" so I think I would need a step stool haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 06/20/2018 at 13:41

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I like it. I have other activities I can do if I need a rush. This is great for relaxing. I have paddle surfed a few times but I’ll save that for a more maneuverable. Now that I have a rack in the garage, storage is easy, and the rack on the car makes transport easy. I have a really nice place to park and launch so it’s pretty convenient. If you are missing one of those elements (storage, transport, launching), it is a huge PITA to have such a big board. But, I really enjoy it so it was worth it. Now it’s even more worth it.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Ash78, voting early and often 06/20/2018 at 13:43

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It’s still better than swimming! A truck is overkill for just carting this around, but they have uses. Maybe I’ll make a HD run and get a few 2x4's and carry them on my roof. I think the limit is 70 lbs so it should be fine haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) 06/20/2018 at 13:44

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Thank you. When I first put it on, it felt right. Reliving the beach bug days but with a modern twist!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/20/2018 at 13:45

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I’ve only had this a week but I think it’s going to come in handy!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/20/2018 at 13:48

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That makes me feel a lot better, actually. How careful are you maneuvering in parking lots? do you have to keep a mental note that the canoe is sticking out further than your bumper or is it pretty natural?

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 06/20/2018 at 13:51

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That would be a good goal! I would love a little van like a 5 or the Ford Transport (whatever it’s called). But, I don’t want to get rid of the bug and I don’t want to have a van and not use it every day haha

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 13:52

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Only if it fits in your Beetle

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 13:55

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I have all three at home but I know my father in law wouldn’t be apposed to storing it at his house which is only a 15 minute ride from the beach. Hmm and my birthday is coming up...

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/20/2018 at 14:03

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now I need a container that doesn’t leak!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 06/20/2018 at 14:04

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If it is an easy ride, I’d go for. I have a hill so riding is less fun with a board haha

vicali > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 14:04

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We’re lucky because our boat is Kevlar Duraflex and weighs around 60lbs. If it was a regular fiberglass boat at 80+lbs it would be a handful to load.

It’s way easier on the Subaru, we’ve actually decided if it’s just a day trip we’ll take the Forester instead;

The truck is higher, plus when the canoe is on the maxtrax come off but the posts are still there so you have to lift it over them. Then because our canoe is a Prospector and has killer rocker I have to lift the back mount to clear the very back of the canopy;

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > vicali 06/20/2018 at 14:20

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I could stop going to they gym if I had to do that with a glass boat! LOL

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 14:23

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I can see the ends of the boat really well, it’s not difficult to park at all. The boat hangs over the front so much you will never forget it’s there. I have driven my mountain bike into my garage door tho while it was mounted to the roof rack, that was not a good day.

Ash78, voting early and often > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 14:30

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No kidding. Plus with a SUP you can see the sharks coming, whereas with swimming the surface glare gives them an easy attack ;)

I kid because I SUC at SUP...I’m tall and heavy, and the only boards I’ve tried were entry level and unstable.

404 - User No Longer Available > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 14:53

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I’m more thinking along the lines of Ikea runs... stupid me didn’t check if my car came with split-folding seats.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/20/2018 at 15:09

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It doesn’t??? That seems crazy. I’ve thought about Ikea and home depot runs. I think the weight limit is 70lbs. But a piece of plywood or some 2x4's should be fine. I would probably need the 2x’s to support the plywood, actually. That way it doesn’t warp. My bars are only 27.5" CL to CL so I would assume there would be some banana action without a beam support haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Ash78, voting early and often 06/20/2018 at 15:17

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There is a video floating around of a baby mako circling a SUP’er in the next town up. My friend who ocean swims has seen them and says everything is fine. I’d rather be on the board. Plus, even though I’m a good runner, I suck at swimming. So anything is better than that.

I’m surprised the entry boards you tried where unstable. Usually they are just slow because they are high volume and really wide. Mine is pretty narrow and shaped for surfing so it’s a bit unstable for cruising. But, I’m pretty light so I haven’t had an issue.

*Starred for SUC

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/20/2018 at 15:18

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Ouch. I bet there was no mistaking that noise :0

404 - User No Longer Available > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 15:52

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Yeah... base model German car problems.

And 70lbs seems a bit weak. I checked my OEM one can do 165lbs...

https://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/3734/BMW-BASE-SUPPORT-SYSTEM

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 15:59

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The nice thing about the 5 is that it has the positive aspects of a van (boxy and tall rear, sliding doors) whilst maintaining the length and width of a much smaller vehicle. I would feel a bit guilty if I was driving a larger van and not using the capabilities, but this one is just the right size to blend in, and with the 6MT is a joy to drive. The Transit Connect seems like a good choice as well as long as you keep in mind exactly what it is. I looked at one, as well as a Jetta Sportwagen TDI, when I was shopping, but the Mazda was too good to pass up (20% off list whereas VW wasn’t budging on price, and the Ford was just a little too utilitarian and an uninspiring drive).

Should I need more space I can always do the roof rack/roof storage bin thing, but given that I haven’t used the 3rd row in 4-5 years, I doubt I will need that. It’s normally just me in the car, so even the 2nd row isn’t really needed...

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 06/20/2018 at 16:22

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I forgot they made it with a 6 speed! It really does seem like the right size. Too many people think they need bigger and bigger houses/cars when in reality, they just need less shit. My friend just bought a house because they needed “more room” It’s him, his wife, and their 2 year old. They had plenty of space, but it was filled with crap they never use.

I feel like the same can be said for cars. There are solutions, like the cargo box, but too many people overlook that.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/20/2018 at 16:23

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I just double checked. 75... KG. Much better!

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 16:29

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As someone that is currently overwhelmed by the sheer amount of crap I own, I can second that idea. I’d do more about it, but we just went from winter to summer without spring in between, and I don’t have the energy to haul stuff out, whether it be to donate or just to the basement, in this oppressive heat and humidity. One more reason I loved living in the South Bay - year ‘round temperature control by opening a window or two; no such luck in STL.

A co-worker had some very sage advice regarding home size. He said to buy as small a place as you can live with. Less to paint, smaller roof to replace, less siding/brick to repair, etc. I’m looking for something else now, and I just want a good basement and solid garage, with everything else more-or-less optional (I guess I do need a bedroom and a kitchen, but those other two are my priorities.) I’m tired of my car getting dinged up on the street, and I want somewhere where I can have a project car that I can work on in winter.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 06/20/2018 at 16:35

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I just donated a ton of stuff last spring. I need to do that every year but it’s hard to find motivation. It’s usually not in your way if you already found a spot for it. And it’s out of sight, out of mind. Last time I moved, I was ready to just drive the uhaul into the ocean and start scratch haha.

So you moved from South Bay to St. Louis? I did the opposite haha. Grew up in the St. Louis area and moved to LA/So Bay!

Ash78, voting early and often > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 17:05

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I like the workout — any kind of fun core workout is good in my book. When I said unstable, I should have said “tracked poorly” and so I would have to overcorrect and it just wasn’t fun.

I looked into all my various beach and lake boat options and ended up with this — $65 during off-season sale (normally $120+) and I’ve had it in 6’ breaking seas. It carries 400# and I can easily maintain ~3mph for an hour or more. Breaks down and fits in a 30L Rubbermaid! 10’ long, about 35#. Triple layer vinyl, easily patched. It can even take a small outboard with a battery pack.

Tons of fun. Last summer we shadowed a sea turtle for a couple hundred yards, and also cruised with a couple pods of dolphins (all Gulf of Mexico — FL/AL coasts).

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Ash78, voting early and often 06/20/2018 at 19:02

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Nice! That is pretty solid bang for your buck. Plus being able to take kiddos/doggos/200 lbs of liquor is a plus. 6' swells in that think must be a riot haha

Ash78, voting early and often > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 19:26

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Ever seen those Australian lifeguard competitions where they row into 20’ swells? It feels about like that. Just keep the bow facing the breaks...

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 19:45

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Awesome!!! I need racks for the GTO.... Which apparently are unobtanium.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 06/20/2018 at 20:14

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They should have came with a roof box from the factory with how small the boot is haha

May I suggest some duct tape, bungee cords, and a moving blanket?

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Ash78, voting early and often 06/20/2018 at 20:14

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I need to youtube this when I get home!

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/20/2018 at 22:30

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Nice GTI wheels, are those stock?

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/21/2018 at 11:45

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Maybe if I had a beat Beetle I would do that

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 06/21/2018 at 13:30

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Sell the bike for a beetle LOL

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/21/2018 at 13:33

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I would buy a Miata or Mini far before a Bug .... or maybe a beat Z4 since I fit in those vs the Miata

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 06/21/2018 at 13:58

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I can’t, not recommend a Miata. I honestly want another one. Then make a custom mount on a roll bar and one for the windshield!

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/21/2018 at 14:25

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But Z4

Or totally crazy thought

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 06/21/2018 at 15:30

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Caterham!!!

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/21/2018 at 16:00

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I would so DD that XD

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British 06/21/2018 at 17:12

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I want a Morgan 3 Wheeler to DD haha

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 06/21/2018 at 17:26

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I want to DD a failed F1 car

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 06/22/2018 at 14:40

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Thanks! They are stock from a GTI but I’m running adapters . Beetle is 5x110 and GTI is 5x112 (I think). I looked long and hard to find a nice set that weren’t too expensive. I ended up finding this pair 4 hours away and left as soon as the guy agreed to meet me haha

His Stigness > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/14/2019 at 20:32

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Oh dude those headlights need a good sanding and polish. Those headlights come out with the pop of a screwdriver so you could bring them with you on Sunday and I can fix them at my house. 

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > His Stigness 05/15/2019 at 11:43

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One thing I love about this car is how easy it is to change the headlights lol

They need polishing, bad. If I can leave the car in my driveway and remember Saturday morning, I’ll bring them along.