Kayak on Stock Rack??

[Drinkin40s]

So I want to put my touring kayak on top. Does anyone know if the Thule components will work with the factory bars? I would hate to have to buy the complete bar system if the factory bars will work with adapters of some sort.

Also - for a bike rack I was thinking of one to go in the 2" receiver - anyone have input? Again, I see Thule has some offerings.

Thanks!!

 

[wngrog]

I know that Yakima makes oval mounts that will work on the stock roof bars. I have a set that lets me attach my rack system to the stock 100 rack.

 

[cruiser4life]

I just purchased a Yakima SlickROC4 from a fellow Mud member and used it on a recent week long trip. Fits into the 2" receiver and is stable and secure. Lots of nice features. Would highly recommend it.

Here's a pic:

 

[hoser]

So I want to put my touring kayak on top. Does anyone know if the Thule components will work with the factory bars?

Yes, I believe you need the Thule "Fat Mouth" clamps to mate with the factory rack.

 

[SINCITY100]

I would try to avoid using the factory cross-bars, I just dont trust them. I would look into a set third-party towers and/or bars that attach to the main (front to rear) bars as they are very strong and up to the task.

Although I have personally run a heavily loaded Yakima MegaWarrior basket attached to the O.E. bars before with no problems, I found myself worrying about those light-duty bars constantly as they would flex and actually start bouncing the load up there on rougher roads, I didnt like that.

IMO a set of very stout bars is MUCH better way to start when loading things on your roof, even a Kayak or canoe.

Just my .02

 

[farinvail]

I sell Thule

They do a kayak stacker that mount directly to factory rack. I think $85 retail. No fat mouth needed, Fat mouth is for ski racks to factory. I believe factory rack is rated to 150 lbs. Kayaks are 45 lbs. You can always use kayak stacker with thule roof rack. If you are only planning on doing skis or kayaks no need the do Thule rack. If you are putting bikes on top you will want the bars. Don't do the to factory bike conversion it's junk. I use a Softride rear rack for bikes as it allows opening the tailgate without removing bikes. Thule you have to buy the swingaway rack to get gate open $399 and not great. Bikes on top sucks bigtime. Like driving around with a large sail on top of your truck. No parking ramps, no drive through windows, no low branches pulling into campsites(ask me how I know)

 

[ZJ2UZJ100]

Thule 835XT J-bar "Hullaport" works with factory bars.

We also use a Thule Hitching Post 984 in the stock 2" receiver. Fits 4 bikes. You can easily open the liftgate top up when Hitching Post is attached and bikes are loaded on it. I also THINK I can drop the tailgate without hitting the hitching post, if no bikes are attached. I can't get to the car at the moment to check for you.

You can also pull a cotter pin on the Hitching Post and lower it down toward the rear, to give more clearance for the tailgate when no bikes are loaded.

You don't need to get the side-swinging receiver hitch bike carrier, though that would be an additional convenience.

 

[hoser]

Farinvail, any idea if you can attach Thule components to the African Outback Loadbars from Slee.

 

[SALEH]

whats ur spring ??to lower i hang my Dirtbike with 90 k.g same carrier it wouldn't came down more than 1''

 

[johncarron]

Hitch-mounted Bike Racks

My $.02: Just purchased a thule expressway and it works great. I can open both rear hatches with it in the upright position. I could NOT do the same w/ the Yakima Slickrok, as the hitch extension is about 2" shorter. The 3-pt strap system even does a decent job of keeping bikes separated on rough roads.

One gotcha: it has a great built-in locking system, but if you travel with the rack folded down, you need to secure the cable with the included cable holder, otherwise you'll drag the thing around on the ground and have to drop another $20 to get a replacement from Thule... Happened to me the first time I used it. shoulda RTFM...

 

[Playboater]

Go with Thule

For a touring kayak, go with the Thule hullaport on the factory bars, easy set up and easy on and off. If it's a composite boat, definitely go with with the hullaport, rollers or saddles if you park in a garage, or you'll take your boat off quick with the hullaports sticking up with low clearance. If it's a plastic boat you can use the stackers if you're carrying more than one boat, but generally those are designed for use with WW boats and smaller rec boats. However, again I'd recommed Thule stackers, as they are much sturdier and quickly fold when not in use. The included straps are also superior.

DO NOT MOUNT YAKIMA TO A FACTORY RACK! I install yakima and Thule products daily, and I've seen repeated failures of yakima mighty mounts under normal loads.

Yakima roof bike racks are superior to Thule, but for a hitch mount, go with Thule, the quality is much better. Thule products will mount to almost any factory rack with included hardware, and mount with thick metal hardware, not the crap plastic of yakima.