Iuse lockable straps. not perfect against srious thieves but a reasonable put off for opportunity theives
Yep, lockable straps are the go. You will pay about $80 for a pair of straps with 2 keys.
They are a bastard to lock. You have to line the strap up perfectly or key won't fully turn.
I would'nt rely on them overnight but they are secure enough for during the day as long as your car is out in the open.
I bought the long ones for $100. 2 straps, 4m each.
For $80 I think you get 2 x 2.7m approx.
I use the Stick Protection lockable straps have the 4m length ones.
I had a few problems with mine locking as well, sticking etc. I just spray a bit of WD40 into the lock itself and this has free'd them up so they easier to turn.
I looked at the locking straps but someone had said the lck had cooroded after few months, so I went with the gumby lock.
Seems to work well but I found driving with it on marks the board so I wouldn't recommend that.
I also insured my board $4 pm with my house insurance :-)
One of my mates has lockable metal strap thingy, all good till I pointed out at an Allan key tool would remove racks from roof with the boards attached.
So even the best strap is only as good as the weakest point.
I have used the lockable straps for about 3 years. My boards have been left on my car in Sydney overnight and never had a problem at all. I reckon that they work. I also have my boards I insured but the straps have never let me down. They can be a right bastard to get to lock but they do work.
A good temporary idea to maybe prevent theft by opportunistic and the less well prepared of the thieving scum is to tie a knot in the tag end of the strap close to where the door shuts and then lock the end inside the door. Sure they can still cut the stap if they have something sharp but they won't be able to undo the strap because it is impossible to pull the knot out and undo the cam buckle
basic but will be very effective slows the honest thieves up
I use the lockable straps with the stainless wire running down the outside of the straps, but instead of using the key operated locks provided i have drilled a hole below the slide down locks which I put padlocks through and also lock the opposite end hooks together to prevent them being jimmied apart. should slow down the honest crook.
