surfboard range?

[rpmdk]

anybody strapped a bike or surfboard to the top of the car and seen what happens to the range?

even an empty roof rack - how much does that effect range?

[garygid]

Or, range with a drag-chute?

Puting a bicycle on the back, in the rear turbulant-flow area, should not be too bad.

Will the front seat fold forward completely, to allow a surfboard to (mostly) fit inside?

[JimSouCal]

Will the front seat fold forward completely, to allow a surfboard to (mostly) fit inside?

The wax and possibly sand from the surfboard, unless it was in a board sleeve, would discourage that practice that in my car.

A removable cross bar roof rack is on my wish list for lumber, and for my thule ski box (holds things other than skis of course) and thule bike rack. At 70MPH, the thule box lowers the gas mileage on my small ICE mobile by about 12-18%, so I'd think it will be pretty detrimental to any highway drive ranges with the LEAF.

[RevBrent]

I can't say what it would do to the range to have the board on top, but I was happy to discover this week that a 9 foot longboard will fit inside. Just put it in a board bag and you are good to go!

[JimSouCal]

a 9 foot longboard will fit inside..a board bag and you are good to go!

My board is 9'1". I'd bet I am still good if I am flying solo? Yes? That is probably ditto for skis. From the forum, based on "spark's" post, I can make Mt. Baldy, and likely, Mt. High, for local skiing... I think I even have tire chains that fit too. Range, well, downhill to the charger... Still will figure out roof racks for the same, and trips to Osh and Home Depot. Heck, somebody will probably figure out how to mount a trailer for short bulky hauls (or towing a generator). :-0

[abasile]

From the forum, based on "spark's" post, I can make Mt. Baldy, and likely, Mt. High, for local skiing... I think I even have tire chains that fit too.

Be careful! Mountain High Resort is at about 6900' elevation and significantly further from the LA basin than Mt. Baldy. Still, given a top-off charge at Fontana Nissan, you should have no problem driving the remaining 32 miles and 5400' to Mt. High as long as you don't go fast. I wouldn't try it if chains are required, though, due to the extra drag (and hassle).

[JimSouCal]

Be careful!

Thank you for the caution, but not to worry. I am slated for April delivery (unless it is like last year, Snow will be gone). But a few comments. Chains are seldom on for more than a few miles on the approach roads--sometime just to get out of the parking lot. My greater concern would be reaching the low end temp limit of the battery spec. Still, I do recreation stuff a great deal on Baldy (further up the hill than Spark tested), and will be giving it a try--that is certain. I have a spot to plug an extension cord in at the top if need be... I plan on testing the limits of this car, but within reason.

[abasile]

My greater concern would be reaching the low end temp limit of the battery spec.

It generally doesn't get all *that* cold in the SoCal mountains, so that shouldn't generally be too big a concern.

Still, I do recreation stuff a great deal on Baldy (further up the hill than Spark tested), and will be giving it a try--that is certain. I have a spot to plug an extension cord in at the top if need be...

Ahhh, a place to charge on Baldy! We like to hike to the summit of Baldy every year. Is that plug publicly accessible/usable?

[JimSouCal]

Is that plug publicly accessible/usable?

No. I had to beg.

As an aside, there are two hydro-electric plants in the Canyon as one drives up the hill (they may be the oldest, or amongst the oldest, in the country). Those original Edison plants could be used to support the argument one was using hydro electrons up there...

[rpmdk]

I can't say what it would do to the range to have the board on top, but I was happy to discover this week that a 9 foot longboard will fit inside. Just put it in a board bag and you are good to go!

glad to hear you can a 9' in there (that's what I ride too), but I'll have a child seat in the back, making it that much more of a hassle...

even with the bag though, sooner or later surfboards inside the car really mess up the interior

somebody strap something to the roof of your LEAF and let us know!