dimensions? for temporary board rack in van?

peterbelden · Joined: 09 Apr 2001 Posts: 56

We plan to rent a van for a week to transport 5 boards other gear and 4 people. I'm looking for tips/plans on how to quick build racks to go in the rental van to hold the boards. At Al West's Maui Vans in Maui the Ford E-150 vans come with a great PVC pipe collapsible rack that holds 3-4 boards. So something like that would be ideal. I thought that on the forum there might be someone who has already written up dimensions for something like this.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

1" PVC
As wide as the widest board.
7" vertical spacing.
Placed 35" from closed rear doors.
Add 12" for full width rack for sails.
Front to rear spacing, 48".

peterbelden · Joined: 09 Apr 2001 Posts: 56

Thanks!!!

peterbelden · Joined: 09 Apr 2001 Posts: 56

Is there an alternative to PVC? I'm a true treehugger and thus have been scared off by the chlorine in PVC and so try to find alternatives. PEX seems to be a recommended alternative but it looks too flexible to hold up boards. Is there something else that is similarly available and cheap like PVC?

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Well, ya don't have to EAT it, ya know. Smile

Take along some rubber gloves if it bothers you that much, but we're exposed day in and day out to much greater amounts of much more egregious stuff than PVC. Besides, a LOT of our WSing gear ... and our shower curtains ... and much of our clothing ... our vinyl seat upholstery ... and MUCH more are mainly PVC.

windward1 · Joined: 18 Jun 2000 Posts: 1400

Unless you are completely off the grid with your own unregulated water supply, the water from your tap has chlorine in it. A little eensy, teensy bit. One of the best bacteria killers there is. Saving lives by the millions every day....

peterbelden · Joined: 09 Apr 2001 Posts: 56

Indeed much chlorine is inescapable and in some cases beneficial as you note. But for more trivial things like shower curtains I've found cheap alternatives to vinyl and so thought there might also be an emerging market for cheap alternatives to PVC pipe too. It's too bad PEX isn't stiffer. Oh well.

rswabsin · Joined: 14 May 2000 Posts: 444 Location: New Jersey

Why not use smaller sized lumber - like 2"x3"s from Home Depot and screw together. You can buy 2"x3" for less than $2 per 8' length.

peterbelden · Joined: 09 Apr 2001 Posts: 56

Wood is a nice option but the convenient thing about the PVC option is that it can fold easily.

cgoudie1 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:07 pm Post subject:

So your Treehuggery (or lack thereof) is somewhat based on convenience.
You sir are an intelligent conservationist, and I salute you!

I've used galvanized pipe if that feels less offensive or dangerous to you.
It's heavy and unwieldy but it can be built to fold. and will need pads(which might also be toxic).

My current van rack is PVC.

-Craig