How to carry a surfboard on a jeep wrangler?

Jeep has been known to sponsor well-known global surfing events such as the World Surf League, so there is no surprise to find that the Jeep Wrangler makes a perfect surfing vehicle.

Although this 4-wheel drive will get you to the hardest-to-reach surf spots, you may be wondering how to carry your surfboards on your Jeep Wrangler while keeping them safe.

How to carry a surfboard on a jeep wrangler?

There are many ways to transport your surfboards on a Jeep Wrangler such as simply putting down the back seats, installing roof racks, sticking the board out the side windows, or removing the top and attacking your board to the roll cage.

Let us take a look at a few ways that you can safely attach your surfboard to your Jeep.

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How to carry a surfboard on a jeep wrangler?

What to Consider Before Choosing How to Carry Your Surfboard on Your Wrangler

There are multiple different ways to transport your surfboards on your Jeep Wrangler, however, depending on certain factors, some are more ideal than others.

You should consider the following before setting your heart on a transport method.

Surfboard Size

The size of your surfboard may determine the way you wish to secure your surfboards on your Jeep Wrangler.

For example, if you are using a shortboard you could get away with putting down the passenger seat and laying your board inside the car.

On the other hand, if you are using a 10-foot longboard this will not work.

Similarly, you won’t want to secure a longboard to the roll cage facing vertically as it will cause too much drag when you drive, however, this could work with a shortboard.

Weather

The general climate of your region will determine how you want to transport your boards. 

If you live in a cold-weather climate that snows or rains a lot, it doesn’t make sense to take the top off your Jeep just to get to the beach.

Likewise, if you tend to keep the top of your Jeep off most of the time, then there isn’t much point in buying roof racks.

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Distance

The further you will be traveling, the more secure you will want your surfboards to be on your Jeep.

If you are simply driving a mile or two down to your local break, then having your surfboard sticking out the back window and secured with rope or bungee cords could work.

However, if you will be driving long distances along highways or going off-road to find a secret location, you will want to use a more secure method such as roof racks.

Number of Surfboards

You have a lot more options for carrying your surfboard in your Wrangler when you have only one board, as opposed to multiple.

A single surfboard could be used for most methods, but when you begin adding multiple boards to the Jeep you will quickly run out of space and need to resort to a different method.

Guests and Luggage

If it is just you and your board in the car then you will have no problem leaning back in the passenger seat, folding down the back seats, and laying your surfboard next to you as you drive.

That being said, if you have a car full of people or luggage you will need to carry your surfboards outside of the car on racks or on the roll cage.

Budget

Your potential budget for transporting your boards is simple.

Putting your boards inside the car is free (or at least close to) while using roof racks costs money.

Depending on what you can afford at the time, decide on how you wish to carry your surfboards on your Wrangler.

Different Ways to Carry a Surfboard on a Jeep Wrangler

When it comes to carrying your board on your Wrangler, there is always space to be creative, however, there are a few methods that have been tried and tested, and so it would be a good idea to start with one of them and adapt from there.

Seats Down

If you are just heading down to the beach by yourself for a few hours to catch some waves, simply putting down your seats could be all you need to do to get your surfboard to the ocean in your Wrangler.

Depending on the size and shape of your surfboard, you can put the passenger seat, the back seats, or a combination of the two down and slide in your surfboard from the back window.

Keep in mind that if you are moving a longboard you will likely need to keep the back window open.

If you do this make sure that you secure the surfboard and ensure there is something like a pool noodle or towel on the edge of the boot to prevent the board from getting any pressure dings.

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Remove the Top

If you find yourself living in a sunny, warm climate, you might enjoy driving around with the top of your Wrangler down.

This is perfect for transporting your surfboards, thanks to the roll cage.

As you have a lot more options with not only where you can put your boards, but also the angle at which you can put them, having the top down allows you to be more creative.

Although just about anything will work, providing your boards are secured and not dangerously sticking out of the car, there are two main options: 

Vertically

To transport your surfboard vertically in your wrangler you will of course need the top down.

From here all you need to do is put the board into the back seat (fins first) where your feet would usually go. 

Lean the surfboard at an angle so that it touches the roll cage, and secure it.

Sticking your board up nearly vertically and fastening it to the roll cage is an option, but not ideal for longboards if you are traveling a long distance or if it is particularly windy (you don’t want your board to snap before you even reach the ocean).

Horizontally

Thanks to the Jeep Wranglers roll cage when the top is down, you can use the cage as a make-shift roof rack.

Simply put a towel or some rubber down before you lay your board on top of the roll cage.

Secure it with rope or bungees and you’re good to go.

Roof Racks

Roof racks are by far the best solution when it comes to transporting surfboards on a Jeep Wrangler.

They are easy to use, can transport multiple surfboards at a time, and will ensure there is maximum space inside the vehicle.

Roof racks can also be used with the top of your Wrangler both up or down.

The only downside to roof racks is that you will need to remove and replace them each time you want to take off the top or replace the top of your Jeep.

There are thousands of roof racks on the market, but it is important to use a high-quality product, as if the rack breaks it won’t only be the roof rack that you lose, but your not-so-cheap surfboards too.

Mopar and Yakima make some of the best roof racks around, but they are not your only option.

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One rack that is, however, perfect for surfboards of almost any length, as well as all your other transporting needs is the Mopar Rack Kit and Soft Roof Rack Pads.

The roof racks are easy to connect via clips directly onto the drip rail. The only downside about this rack is that it is only compatible with the hardtop.

Tips for Transporting You Surfboard on a Wrangler

As you can see there are many options to transport your surfboard on your Jeep Wrangler, but if you still find yourself a little nervous or unsure, then the following tips may help.

1. Secure Your Board

No matter what way you choose to put your surfboard in your Jeep, you should always secure it in some way.

If your board has room to slide around there is a chance that it will sustain some damage. This could be as big as breaking the nose, or as small as a micro ding that leads to your surfboard becoming waterlogged.

2. Use Something Soft

You should also be careful not to tie your surfboard too tight against a hard surface to avoid pressure dings.

To do this use a combination of your surfboard bag and a towel, rubber, sponge, or anything else to create a cushion between your surfboards and any hard object that they are in contact with.

3. Use a Surfboard Travel Bag

Even when securing your board and using something soft for added protection, you should always make use of a surfboard travel bag.

Although your board may be secure in your car, you still need to carry it from the house, put it into your Jeep, as well as take it out at the other end.

Moving your board in and out of tight spaces such as your Jeep are common places to find damage, so it is always best to lean on the side of caution when it comes to our precious surfboards.

4. Place Boards From Biggest to Smallest

If you have more than one surfboard, whether you are packing them on roof racks or inside the car, it is better to pack the largest surfboard at the bottom.

Doing this will prevent the larger surfboard from squashing, and potentially damaging the smaller surfboards below in the case that they move around.

Small surfboards on top will also be easier to pack and unpack on either side of your trip.

Conclusion

The Jeep Wrangler isn’t a huge vehicle, but it has more power than dynamite, which makes it a perfect surf journey 4 x 4, both for short beach missions, as well as long off-the-beaten-track adventures that take you on a search of untouched breaks.

Although it is an amazing vehicle, its size can make transporting your surfboards seem difficult, however, this is far from the truth.

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