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Post Info TOPIC: inflatable on roof rack.
Quassie


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inflatable on roof rack.
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Unusual request, I have a 3.3 Inflatable boat powered by 10hp outboard motor. Which we take away with us when caravanning.

Because of health reasons I can no longer get down on my knees when having to deflate the boat.

So my question to you is, has anyone transported a SIB fully inflated on a flat bed roof rack on their vehicle  ?

if so , how did u transport the boat.ie upside down ? what sort of speed were you able to travel at ? is it safe to do ? 

My car is a ford Everest 2023,  I believe the boat about weights about 45kg and roof rack around 30kg so i should be within the ford guide lines for weight, just worried about wind when transporting  the boat. 

Any advise you can give is very much appreciated.

Quassies.



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Whenarewethere


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Vacuum it down. Run a couple in parallel for increased speed.

 



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PeterInSa


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Q, I have a light weight trailer that can be part disassembled to fit on a bike rack ( plus wheel stripps) at the back of our caravan or Sprinter Campervan, I use it to get the SIB in and out of the water, I could inflate/deflate my 3m SIB on the trailer but I do not. Perhaps that could be an opportunity for yourself inflate/deflate on a trailer.

Have 2 x12v high speed inflaters/deflaters for the job.

Re on the roof, from memory mine is pumped up to a pressure of 10psi ( have not used the gauge fo ages, just check the pressure with my hand) wind at speed could well change the shape of the SIB and loosen tie downs, unless its transported upside down where anchor points will be close to the roof rack.



-- Edited by PeterInSa on Monday 10th of November 2025 11:22:01 PM

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Are We Lost


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I would have thought getting the boat up on the roof would be harder than inflating it. The windage would be substantial. Not too bad at low speed but the force would be significant at highway speeds and you would probably experience buffeting as well.

How about ....  Bunnings low work platform

Drag the part(s) of the dinghy where the inflation valves are onto the bench, then pump without kneeling. And the bench can have other uses .... sitting on or helping to reach the roof of the van.



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