How to mount 2 kayaks with rtt?

[McDowra]

Like the subject line says I have a prinsu rack with a CVT Mt Rainer tent, just wondering the best wat to do this. My thought has been to strap to the RTT and make a brace towards the front of the rack to strap them there also. What are your thoughts?

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Side mount the kayaks?

 

[1973Guppie]

make your life easier and maybe find a hardtop rtt and mount yaks to the top of that?

 

[icorradoi]

RTT and 78" Yakima crossbars, offset to the passenger side, for just one kayak + RTT. This tent (Magiollina Grand Tour) also has an available mounting kit so that you can mount crossbars directly to the tent for one more kayak.

Maybe with 86" crossbars and J hooks you could get all three up there.

 

[LS1FJ40]

View attachment 1344924

RTT and 78" Yakima crossbars, offset to the passenger side, for just one kayak + RTT. This tent (Magiollina Grand Tour) also has an available mounting kit so that you can mount crossbars directly to the tent for one more kayak.

Maybe with 86" crossbars and J hooks you could get all three up there.

That's a clean looking 80. Very nice.

 

[DanMedeiros]

White Lightning Hard Shell | Tepui Tents | High Quality Roof Top Tents

Hardshell tent with a roof rack

 

[NLScooby]

View attachment 1344924

RTT and 78" Yakima crossbars, offset to the passenger side, for just one kayak + RTT. This tent (Magiollina Grand Tour) also has an available mounting kit so that you can mount crossbars directly to the tent for one more kayak.

Maybe with 86" crossbars and J hooks you could get all three up there.

Great looking 80!

 

[bajaphile]

Two inflatables in the back seat? : D

 

[ZackR]

View attachment 1344924

RTT and 78" Yakima crossbars, offset to the passenger side, for just one kayak + RTT. This tent (Magiollina Grand Tour) also has an available mounting kit so that you can mount crossbars directly to the tent for one more kayak.

Maybe with 86" crossbars and J hooks you could get all three up there.

Looking to do a similar setup, albeit with a stand up paddle board. How have the long cross bars + RTT + kayak been working out for you?

 

[icorradoi]

No issues at all. I did add another (60" crossbar under the center of the tent for added support, but it was also fine with just the two 78"s.

Hopefully, the paddle board isn't too wide or it can be mounted on its side.

 

[ZackR]

No issues at all. I did add another (60" crossbar under the center of the tent for added support, but it was also fine with just the two 78"s.

Hopefully, the paddle board isn't too wide or it can be mounted on its side.

I was thinking of a vertical mount for the paddle board since its pretty wide. Thanks for the info.

 

[z531519]

@icorradoi Your pic is my inspiration to my setup. Bought cheap ebay kayak J-rack that mounts to the rain gutter mount of my Gobi rack. Not to mention it is easier to load than on the top of the rack! I don't have a pic but i will try to update this thread once i have it setup again just to share more ideas.

 

[Gascan]

BUMP!

Can anyone comment on running ( such an over used word nowadays) one or two kayaks along with an RTT on their roof. How does it feel at highway speeds and/or with crosswinds? Photos of your setup are appreciated. I'm in the process of mounting two yaks on either side of my ARB tent in a similar fashion to @Hltoppr and am getting a little nervous about being top heavy (kayaks will make my hight clearance 9 feet tall and the local Starbucks drive-thru maxes out at 8'6" ) what with the kayaks not only being up high but sitting outside the wheelbase, on 78" yakima bars.

 

[Red Merle]

View attachment 1344924

RTT and 78" Yakima crossbars, offset to the passenger side, for just one kayak + RTT. This tent (Magiollina Grand Tour) also has an available mounting kit so that you can mount crossbars directly to the tent for one more kayak.

Maybe with 86" crossbars and J hooks you could get all three up there.

Maybe a third 1A Raingutter tower and bar set to support the boats further up front and to keep the tent front bar separated from that load, but otherwise, this would be my suggestion as well.

 

[Red Merle]

BUMP!

Can anyone comment on running ( such an over used word nowadays) one or two kayaks along with an RTT on their roof. How does it feel at highway speeds and/or with crosswinds? Photos of your setup are appreciated. I'm in the process of mounting two yaks on either side of my ARB tent in a similar fashion to @Hltoppr and am getting a little nervous about being top heavy (kayaks will make my hight clearance 9 feet tall and the local Starbucks drive-thru maxes out at 8'6" ) what with the kayaks not only being up high but sitting outside the wheelbase, on 78" yakima bars.

How heavy are the kayaks? The RTT? Yakima maxed out the load they would warranty at 165 pounds for the 1A RainGutter Tower. The gutter can handle far more weight, but it does throw off the balance on such a tall vehicle. I wouldn't go over 400 pounds without trying it out a bit a time until you got there to see how the truck handles with increases.

 

[Gascan]

How heavy are the kayaks? The RTT? Yakima maxed out the load they would warranty at 165 pounds for the 1A RainGutter Tower. The gutter can handle far more weight, but it does throw off the balance on such a tall vehicle. I wouldn't go over 400 pounds without trying it out a bit a time until you got there to see how the truck handles with increases.

Oh, I’m using two separate pairs of load bars, one pair for the tent and another for the yaks. Total weight will be under 400lbs.

 

[Gascan]

Still a work in progress but it works... for the eagle-eyed among here, yes I realized I over-tightened the straps on the blue yak . Will add foam pads later today (and yes, I’m aware that ratchet straps are frowned upon for strapping down kayaks). The pink panty Land Cruiser felt/handled normal up to 60 mph, despite the weight.

 

[bencallaway]

Ditch the RTT and use an old fashioned tent. Way more pros than cons.

 

[Gascan]

Ditch the RTT and use an old fashioned tent. Way more pros than cons.

To each his own... an RTT is just another tool in the tool box. In my case, by staying off the ground, it keeps the creepy-crawlies 🕷 that Florida is full of, away. Which, allows me to get my (hyper allergic to insect bites) better-half out into nature, overnight. Additionally, getting flooded out in the middle of the night by heavy and sudden Florida rain shower when camping in low-lying areas (as you would in a ground tent) isn't a concern. Now you might ask "Well, why the heck are you setting up camp in a low-lying area in the first place, ya dummy?" We mainly car-camp near springs, and lugging heavy scuba gear to and from the campsite isn't fun, so setting up camp as close to the water, often in low-lying areas, is important. On top of this, for those who built tree-houses or forts as kids, nothing brings back the feeling of being a kid again as does climbing into a roof top tent, while being surrounded by trees , and wild life. I will say, a ground tent is the way to go when I'm doing "minimalist" kayak camping; like I said, just another tool in the tool box.

 

[dsmud4u]

I know this is old but as I’m just getting into kayaking and a RTT I’m curious too. Are there maybe kits that have raised cross bars so the kayak can sit above the tent.

I’m told the two seater kayak is too big to mount on its side. It’s a tarpon 135t (18’)