towing with windsurf boards

[ed1]

hello, anyone towed with windsurfing boards and equipment on roof. it cant go in the car because of the dogs. (and wouldnt fit the boards in anyway). we tow with a discovery 3, so higher up already. does this mean it would be better or worse. thankyou. ED

 

[Lutz]

Are you talking about putting stuff on the roof of the caravan or on the roof of the car? (Some caravans are fitted with an integrated roof rack, so one could put things there, too. That's why I ask.)

If you are referring to loading the roof of the car, it won't make much difference to straight line towing as the frontal area of the caravan is probably still bigger than the car with a load on its roof. If anything, it can improve stability slightly because the roof load shields part of the frontal area of the caravan, thereby reducing the aerodynamic effect which lowers noseweight with increasing speed.

However, like any roof load, whether solo or towing, whether on the car or on the caravan, it will have some detrimental effect on vehicle handling, so be sure to stay within the roof load limits that the manufacturer specifies.

In short, in a straight line I would expect a minor improvement, otherwise slightly worse, always assuming that the load is not excessive.

 

[ed1]

sorry lutz, i realised when i re read it i didnt make it clear, its on the car roof, my thoughts are as yours, i would have thought it would have been not much diference, but needed to ask, thankyou....ED

 

[RogerP]

Ed

just towed for the first time with 2 adult mountain bikes on my Disco 3 and to be honest forgot they were there.

Didn't notice any adverse wind noise caused by either the bikes or roof bars. And didn't find any handling problems either.

it was the first time we'd towed with the Disco 3 so cant really compare to previous towing experiences on that count.

you dont say if you already use roof bars?

If not I'd recomend getting a set of light weight steps to give you better access to the roof. I've just got some from Homebase for

 

[ed1]

hello roger,

we have roof bars on already they were on from day 2 as we put the boards on the roof quite regular, but not towed with them yet. ive just replied to your other thread, i seem to be getting a bit more mpg per trip than you. but then yours is a heavier van than ours so that might be the difference. ED

 

[ed1]

also forgot to say...in my opinion...the discovery is ace at towing....this is our second...hope you get the same results....ED

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Ed

yes windsurf boards on roof make sure there facing down with fin up at back of the car. This way wind passing over the boards gives down pressure on the car safer, and boards will not suffer damage this way.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Ed

yes windsurf boards on roof make sure there facing down with fin up at back of the car. This way wind passing over the boards gives down pressure on the car safer, and boards will not suffer damage this way.

Hello Stephen,

I can't agree 100% with your suggestion that the inverted surf boards create additional down force on the car, The fact is that the aerodynamics of the air flow over a vehicle are very complex, and an inverted surf board has a similar shape the surface of a wing, and so it may actually produce lift!