A good friend of mine recalls seeing a post about a roof tandem carrier where the tandem lays flat across the roof of the car and has a sliding mechanism to get the tandem up on the roof and down. Anyone know the name and model of the carrier?
Thanks!!

Never seen or heard of it.
However some of the Europeans have a unique/cheap way to carry a tandem flat on a car roof. Inflate a large inner tube and lay tandem flat on top. Secure with bungees/tiedowns running over tandem and through the slightly open car windows.
They claim it's quite secure, even over those bumpy Belgian cobbles!

Never seen or heard of it.
However some of the Europeans have a unique/cheap way to carry a tandem flat on a car roof. Inflate a large inner tube and lay tandem flat on top. Secure with bungees/tiedowns running over tandem and through the slightly open car windows.
They claim it's quite secure, even over those bumpy Belgian cobbles!

The way I transport the Tandem. Only thing I do is take the wheels off to lighten the lifting load and strap the Bars to the frame to stop them digging into the roof of the car. Ideal cheap way of transporting the Tandem if, like me, you mainly ride from home with only the occasional trip where you have to go by car.

A good friend of mine recalls seeing a post about a roof tandem carrier where the tandem lays flat across the roof of the car and has a sliding mechanism to get the tandem up on the roof and down. Anyone know the name and model of the carrier?
Thanks!!
The tandem carrier in question is made by Dutch company Vittorio (http://www.vittorio.nl) who will definitely ship in Europe and perhaps also to the US. Check this page (http://www.vittorio.nl/Vittorio/NL/producten/tandemdrager/tandemdrager.html) to see how the system works. It really is as simple as they claim: put the tandem on the carrier, secure it with straps and slide the carrier onto the car roof. The carrier is mounted on the vehicle's crossbars (not included). They even have a 6.2 MB movie (http://www.vittorio.nl/Vittorio/img/Movie/tandemdrager.wmv)on their site!
In Holland, the carrier costs around 340 Euros. Ask for shipping at info@vittorio.nl.

The tandem carrier in question is made by Dutch company Vittorio (http://www.vittorio.nl) who will definitely ship in Europe and perhaps also to the US. Check this page (http://www.vittorio.nl/Vittorio/NL/producten/tandemdrager/tandemdrager.html) to see how the system works. It really is as simple as they claim: put the tandem on the carrier, secure it with straps and slide the carrier onto the car roof. The carrier is mounted on the vehicle's crossbars (not included). They even have a 6.2 MB movie (http://www.vittorio.nl/Vittorio/img/Movie/tandemdrager.wmv)on their site!
In Holland, the carrier costs around 340 Euros. Ask for shipping at info@vittorio.nl.

That is a very nice system! Simplifies alot of aspects of tandem loading. A very reduced risk of running into low obstacles. The only drawback with it is that you can only mount 1 bike on the roof. I guess they could make a double stack version but you might be better off with an upright carrier at that point.

I hope they can do some sales over here.

Thanks so much for the information!! I will check it out.
John

lmao: I read that as tandem dragger.

Cool idea though.

Translation: tandemdrager = tandem carrier

Pedal on TWOgether! (Rijd te zamen!)
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

hey... I like it. Hard to run the bike into the garage door that way.

Translation: tandemdrager = tandem carrier

Pedal on TWOgether! (Rijd te zamen!)
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

That's what I figured, but it's not nearly as funny that way :)

That is a very nice system! Simplifies alot of aspects of tandem loading. A very reduced risk of running into low obstacles. The only drawback with it is that you can only mount 1 bike on the roof. I guess they could make a double stack version but you might be better off with an upright carrier at that point.

I hope they can do some sales over here.
Or (don't tell Vittorio ;) ) you can make it yourself or have this done. And why not, Vittorio themselves copied this from earlier UK made-to-measure racks like the one on the top picture on this page (http://www.tandemclub.nl/vervoer_op_autodak.html). A DIY instruction can be found in this document (http://www.tandemclub.nl/images/Transport/tandemsbycar.pdf) (courtesy of the UK Tandem Club). Perhaps you could construct a 'double decker' based on this document.
It's a very simple yet sturdy construction indeed. If you ignore the wind noise, you can safely attain high speeds, should you wish so. Even more important: the tandem lies rock solid on your roof.

like the one on the top picture on this page (http://www.tandemclub.nl/vervoer_op_autodak.html). A DIY instruction can be found in this document (http://www.tandemclub.nl/images/Transport/tandemsbycar.pdf) (courtesy of the UK Tandem Club).

Nice links. The article said pretty much the same thing about more than one, you can do it but you would be better off with another solution. Good resources and pics for anyone who wants to reinvent the wheel :).

Our Cannondale Tandem fits inside my wifes Honda Element without removing anything!.....Sure beats
all that lifting. :)

Got to admit, the Euro-folks have some great/innovative ideas on how to transport that two-seater!
Having said that, we have always carried our tandem(s) inside a vehicle. In the '70s we utilized a VW Squarerback . . . take off both wheels and leave hatch partway open; to station wagons (Jeep/Ford, Valiant, etc) and even a Honda Accord Hatchback! Currently own a 97 Honda Station Wagon, and with front wheel off, our custom tandem (short 63 1/2" wheelbase) fits neatly inside with the hatch shut.
On our longer sojourns (we are retired!) we manage to load in said tandem (both wheels off) + Rudy's racing single (both wheels off) and all our gear for 3-month summer get-away.
We've had people ask "you get a tandem in there?" . . . You betcha!
Where there's a will, there's a way!

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Yes, but what vehicle would you load a tandem, and two singles INSIDE and still have room for two s and two teenagers?

That would be my ideal solution, but I think the only option there would be a full size conversion van (and my wife grew up with one and refuses to get one). With the rear seat out, the tandem should be able to slide between the middle captain's seats and maybe have room behind the captains seats for the two singles.

Until then we're going to stick with putting them up top.

Our Windstar (and I imagine any other minivan) holds a tandem and 2 singles inside with room for 2 adults and 2 kids.

The tandems went in the middle (kept the kids apart) and the singles went in on either side (note: back seat was out of the van and the front wheels were removed from all the bikes before loading).

Prairie*boy

Devinci Tosca - cyclocross / summer commuter / tribike
Tsunami road tandem
KHS Sportmania tandem
Norco Fireball MTB
Gary Fisher Piranha Winter bike
Devinci Moonracer (under reconstruction)

Hmmm...