18 replies to this topic

[Robski]

I know fitting a luggage rack to a vx is very, very wrong but I'm going to need to maximise my luggage carrying for my next little trip.
The OEM boot rack is not an option as it requires clam modification and it also seems that production was stopped due to clams cracking.There are quite a few old threads about various after market racks but most of the companies seem to be out of business.

I've also found the 'bootbag' system, which is essentially abig waterproof bag that you strap down onto the rear clam. However, to me, it seems obvious that the straps are going to damage the paintwork after a few miles of driving.

This is the rack that I'm thinking about:

https://www.europasp...el___R9005.html

Has anyone used this rack?

Any other alternatives?

If you really don't want to admit that you've used a luggage rack on your vx the feel free to pm me. I promise not to name & shame you!

TIA

R

[tommobot]

Not tried it, but something like this?

http://www.boot-bag.com/elise.htm

[Goosenka]

I have that one. Never used it mind as it came with the car. Perfect storage bag for the boot though

[Robski]

Thanks chaps but as I mentioned in the original post, I'm really not convinced by the boot bag system. My head tells me that those straps are going to vibrate at motorway speeds and leave nasty scratches wherever they touch the paintwork.... ETA - I'm happy to be proved wrong if anyone has used them successfully on long journeys...

Edited by Robski, 24 October 2012 - 02:43 PM.

[Goosenka]

You get this foam stuff to put behind all the straps and I don't see them scratching too much. I would just worry someone could easily nick the bag.

[tommobot]

You get this foam stuff to put behind all the straps and I don't see them scratching too much. I would just worry someone could easily nick the bag.

Plus, surely the straps would be so tensioned / tight that they'd barely move anyway.

I'd probably quite happily use it, plus decent price.

[Robski]

Thanks again chaps! Hmmmm... You're all starting to convince me that it might be a go-er but.... Somebody must have used on of these things???? Straps under tension 'vibrate' a huge amount at motorway speeds. Also hooking the straps onto any convenient bit of GRP bodywork doesn't convince me either... I'm pretty sure that when you get where you're going you're going to have some paintwork issues.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Hire a car, pack less, leave the Mrs behind.

[Rickwoo118]

Don't do a rack IMO. It will scratch the paintwork. Can't you either take less or use another car?

[Robski]

A few months in southern Spain over the winter means that the vx is definitely coming!!!!

[Sutol]

Don't do a rack it looks stupid. Put the other half on a plane. Pack everything in tesco bags, utilise all the nooks and crannies. Don't take anything you can buy on route. Just don't put a silly rack on it.

[elwill]

For the cost of any of these racks you could get 2 or 3 cheap flights back to the UK and bring a few suitcases across, or as mentioned above just buy replacement stuff? I would avoid personally. If there were a clip on boot rack that required no modification, was easy to fit and was no risk to the clam or paint I would love one but I just don't think that exists.

[Steelic]

For my future Euro trips with a passenger, I'm going to attach one to a cheap second hand boot lid. Then it's just a case (no pun intended) of swapping over with 6 bolts to undo.

[Robski]

...... If there were a clip on boot rack that required no modification, was easy to fit and was no risk to the clam or paint I would love one but I just don't think that exists.

I'm pretty certain that the one I've linked to in the original post would be just that!
I think I'll give them a buzz tomorrow.
For me, it's all part of the adventure of going in the vx!

[VX Mark]

If this does turn out to be a success for you, it would be great to get some feedback from you. As i am interested in a luggage rack option for those occasional times when more space is reqiured.

[smiley]

I'm pretty certain that the one I've linked to in the original post would be just that!

Looks a bit like this one:

Could work .Somebody needs to be the first one.

[slindborg]

Just UPS your luggage to yourselves... dont fcuk about with W4nker racks.

Edited by slindborg, 25 October 2012 - 11:18 AM.

[kingwowns]

For my future Euro trips with a passenger, I'm going to attach one to a cheap second hand boot lid. Then it's just a case (no pun intended) of swapping over with 6 bolts to undo.

That's a clever idea!

As others have said before, pack the car, not the bag - only stick stuff back into bags where you arrive!

Previously I've also attached a bungee cord to the bootlid so I can leave it open and get another 20 litres in the boot.

[davemate]

Buy suction bags so you can suck the air out of them and therefore put much more stuff in the same space.

like this:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8753971.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=tsid:11527%7Ccc:%7Cprd:8753971%7Ccat:home+and+garden+%2F+storage%2C+desks+and+filing+%2F+underbed+storage+and+storage+bags+%2F

If you need to have a bag on the back, i would have thought it would be better agaisnt the rear window as tight as you can.



You could probably store some socks on the heater pipe, and all of you loose change under the passenger seat, this is what most vx owners do