Tie my tripod to roof rack?

[Darin Boville]

I'm planning my yearly cross-country drive--and thinking about inviting my mother to go one way (Pacific Ocean to northern Ohio, 14 days)! I'll be tight on cargo space.

Putting aside the wisdom of the drive itself, I need ideas on how I might tie my tripods to the roof rack. I need easy access and need to keep the tripods on the roof.

I have Gitzo medium sized, carbon fiber set with Gitzo head and a heavier Manfrotto 3035 with Majestic head. I should put them in a bag of some sort, but what?

I'll be stopping and shooting spontaneously. If it takes forever just to get the tripod unpacked/repacked I may not shoot as much.

I know people here have done this. Any ideas?


--Darin

[Kevin Crisp]

I'd never put my CF Gitzo on the roof. I would put the camera bag and tripod into the back seat last so I can get to them. If you must, then one of those rigid car top carriers, though I haven't seen one yet that is quick to access.

[djdister]

Well, there is the National Lampoon Vacation approach...

[Drew Wiley]

I once made a tripod carrier out of ABS drain pipe and caps, more to hide the presence of camera gear than anything else. But it was convenient.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Good for you, Darin. I'm envious.

I use bungie cords to fasten the tripod to the roof rack. A case is good should a part fall out. Mine isn't weather proof. No worries. Some day I will find a PVC pipe large enough to accept the whole thing. You have probably seen tradesmen's trucks with such things.

[Tin Can]

Never have camera gear anywhere in sight during road trip. Too many friends and family have lost ALL their gear to theft.

Vacation theft is covered on Homeowners. Moving theft is not.

And remember as you travel you will see the same cars, trucks and people over and over. Then they pounce...

[Drew Wiley]

Trade trucks are what get broken into all the time. A big tube might be interpreted as containing fishing gear or oars or maybe a bat suit. Hopefully you won't run
into some klepto Batman or hang glider. It's hard to strike the right balance between appearing impoverished when traveling and attracting unwanted attention
the other direction. Guess I'm lucky that I've never had gear stolen on a road trip. I certainly know people who have been looted.

[Denny]

If you decide to use bungie cords, be sure they go through some loops on the tripod bag, don't rely on them just holding things tight enough. DAMHIKT.

[Mark Woods]

Thule roof rack:

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produc...cks/roof-racks

[Alan Gales]

I've got a Hi-Lift jack bolted to my front bumper of my Jeep. It's taken a beating over the years cosmetically but still works well. 'There is no way I'd tie one of my beautiful Ries tripods to a roof rack. If you do decide to do this then make sure to have your tripod in a protective bag or PVC pipe.