Equipment Reviews - Handirack Inflatable Roofrack

• Need additional load carrying capacity?
• Prefer a solution that is simple, convenient & portable?
• Looking for a system that is interchangeable between cars?
• Fed-up with the inflexibility & cost of normal roof bars?

A HandiRack is simple to use and takes no time to fit. In only a matter of minutes you will be on your way to discovering a hassle free means to transport anything from a kayak to flat-pack furniture from IKEA! The HandiRack fits 4-door & 2-door cars and can carry loads of up to 80kg (subject to individual vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations).

What is a HandiRack?

Designed for rugged outdoor use in Australia, the award winning HandiRack is a unique, multi purpose, portable load carrier. It provides an amazingly easy means to transport all manner of loads from ladders to kayaks, surf boards to flat-pack furniture. Not only is the HandiRack simple to use, but being inflatable means that when not in use it is very compact and can be easily stored in the boot of the car or on a shelf in the garage.

The HandiRack is immensely strong (it has a patented triple-layer skin), totally safe, complies with ISO/PAS 11154 and couldn't be easier to assemble. The straps pass through the car doors and the bars inflate in a matter of seconds using the supplied HandiPump.

How does it work?

The HandiRack couldn't be easier to assemble and fit. Each HandiRack comes with detailed instructions and the whole fitting process takes just a matter of minutes. The HandiRack's innovative design doesn't affect the door operations in any way. You can still open and shut the doors as often as you like and operate the windows normally.

When you reach your journey's end, simply release the fitting strap, deflate the bars, pack your HandiRack into its drawstring travel bag and place it in the boot. You'll probably forget about it until the next time you're suddenly faced with carrying some unwieldy and bulky item back from the store, piste, auction, beach, car boot sale, garden centre etc. but will be relieved to remember that you have the HandiRack to hand.

Will it fit my car?

The Handirack has been tried and tested the HandiRack on everything from a Rolls Royce to a Nissan Micra and it fits them all. If your car has doors...even Gull Wing doors or roof rails... then the HandiRack can be fitted easily and safely.

The HandiRack will fit just about any car including:

• 4-doors / hatchbacks / estates
• 2-doors with rear opening quarter- light windows
• 2-doors with fixed rear quarter- light windows
• Cars with roof rails
• Cars with sunroofs

The HandiRack is unsuitable for the following:

• Cars fitted with curtain airbags (these deploy from the top of the window)
• Convertibles & cabriolets
• Some cars with high domed shaped roofs

They even fitted a HandiRack onto a Ferrari which doesn't have traditional door frames, just windows that slide into the roof... and yes, it still works perfectly.

So now you can sling your surf boards onto your Ferrari and look really sporty. The only cars we don't recommend using the HandiRack on of course are convertibles and cabriolets. The HandiRack would still work, but your roof would probably collapse!

Why buy a HandiRack?

How many times have you found yourself in the situation of needing to transport something large or bulky, but just not having the means to do it? Or perhaps when on a shopping trip and your eyes prove bigger than your boot! The HandiRack is the perfect cost-effective solution. Just some of the benefits are as follows:

• Multi purpose – the list of items that it can carry is endless
• Versatile - fits most cars
• Compact size – can be kept in the boot
• Portable – can be carried as hand luggage (great for hire cars!)
• Handy – it’s always to hand and there when you need it
• Flexible – interchangeable between vehicles
• Simple – very easy to fit
• Convenient – takes just minutes to fit to the car
• Strong – can carry loads of up to 80kg*
• Kind to equipment – air filled bars cushions loads over bumps & rough terrain
• Fuel efficient – less drag and noise than normal roof bars
• Backed by a 1 year manufacturing defect warrantee
• Fully complies with ISO/PAS 11154

*Subject to individual vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations

What did we think?

The Handirack comes delievered in a convieniently sized box, that does not take up too much space when stored in the garage or boot of the car. Once out of the box, the Handirack is kept together in its own draw string bag, ensuring no items fall out if kept in the boot.

The instructions are straightforward enough and within a matter of minutes we had the Handirack across the roof of the car and strapped in. Then follows a bit of blowing up with the supplied pump. We found this was a two person job as the valves were very tight and needed the second person to squeeze them together whilst the other pumped. There is a suggestion on the instructions that they can be inflated by mouth. That is not for me, I would leave that to the more energetic, but I guess it would be possible!! This minor issue should be resolved once it's been used a couple of times, as the valves will have loosened up. Inflation of the two bars took just a couple of minutes.

The fasteners for the Handirack are made from a strong metal, ensuring that the fixings are held securely and keeps your load safe on the roof. All fixing points are protected, ensuring you won't scratch your car paintwork.

The Handirack has a number of hooks and strapping points on them, ensuring there are numerous securing points for the load that you are carrying.

The deflation of the racks was a little awkward, again due to the tight valves. We needed two people, one to squeeze the valves together to let the air out and the other to roll them up. Once rolled up, they secure with velcro and this ensures that they do not come apart.  Again, this would become easier with time once the valves have loosened up, so should not be a bog concern to anyone considering purchasing one.

The bag is of a good size, so getting them back into the bag is not the same usual hassle you get with a tent!!!

In use we found there was no noticeable wind noise from the rack, and it seemed extremely secure both at speed, and whilst manoeuvring.

Overall this is a fantasic solution to load carrying when space is of a minimum, and an item that we will find most useful when camping in the coming months.

Where can I get them from?

At just £54.99 the amazingly versatile and truly unique HandiRack provides all the benefits of a traditional rack system, but with none of the shortcomings and is available direct from Handirack, check out their website

What is more, the package of a HandiRack and HandiHoldall represents fantastic value when you consider that both items together will cost less than £124.99 inc. VAT -considerably less than more traditional solutions.

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