Has anyone fit their 9'6" surfboard inside their HHR with the seats folded down? I'd rather carry the 'board inside when I get it, instead of using softracks, for the convenience. Thanks.

 

Do you not have a tape measure?

Offhand, I would say NO, as 8' 2x6's barely fit, unless you want to stick part of it out one of the front side windows.

 

I put the backseat and front pass. seat down and ran a tape from the windshield edge of the dash back to the left rear by the tailgate and found about 9'9". That doesn't necessarily mean the board will actually fit though. I don't know about the regular window models, but on the Panels, the front passenger seat back folds down flat which gives a little extra. Just wondering if any folks have had experience with it working.

 

I've fit ten foot lumber in mine... So, yeah it probably would. Set in in at an angle to gain a little more length.

 

If you or a friend have a shorter board, you could test fit it, see how much room there is to spare.

A tape measuring the length only, is not adequate, and lumber is not the same as a surfboard.
Surfboard = wide and curved
Lumber = narrow and straight

You might consider if removing the front passenger seat, and gaining the space under the dash, would help. Seat is quite easy to take out, just bulky.

 

This may or may not help but this is a 16' extension ladder. It is a couple inches taller than 8' when collapsed. In this pic you can see that it is slightly angled adding a couple more inches to the length it is taking up. It was touching the vertical part of the dash next to the waterfall and the trim panel that the rear deck sits in. The more you angle that board the more room you will pick up.

 

Thanks, everyone, very helpful. Wow! If a 10 footer will fit, I guess I'll be fine.

 

Not really sure how some you you folks came up with your measurements.
10 ft lumber AND close the hatch. No way.
Putting the object at an angle so it will fit ? Not going gain any room because of the curvature of the windshield. (actually lose length if you measure from the far right corner up front.
And the hatch trim panel sticks in about 3 inches from the hatch seal.

Got curious and shot some pics using an exact 10 ft fishing rod. The front end is touching the windshield.



2nd pic (red line) shows where the hatch inner panel is when the hatch is closed.



Honestly. I'm not even sure if you'll be able to get that board in the HHR. Maybe. If you put it up against the windshield glass and if you close the hatch and the board hits the windshield just right.......could turn into a broken windshield.

 

Thanks, fireman. Since no one seems to have actually done it, I guess the softracks for the roof will be the way to go. Probably would be more trouble than it's worth trying to muscle a surfboard into the HHR without damaging either anyway.

 

Bust out the windshield, wear googles, and the board will fit just fine.