Have any of you run your kayaks or canoes on the factory rack/cross bars? If so, how'd it do? I am assuming that there isn't enough clearance to run the boats upside down but maybe there is with enough overhang?! My concern is clearance and how well the factory crossbars handle the load/stress. I'd like to keep from running an aftermarket flat rack on this build if I can and I don't want to be tied to my trailer anytime I want to transport the boats. Thanks for any input and pics are appreciated.
Kayaks on rack (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tex68w
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
sleepycruiser
I will get by….I will survive -Touch of Grey LC200
I have a Jackson Big Tuna and hoping it won’t hit my spoiler on the rear. The Big Tuna has to be carried on its bottom and it’s massive so not sure if any j-racks would work.
I used something similar to this with my Yakima round cross bars on my Tundra. I am going to get a set of these for the oval bars on the LC. Used them for years until I traded the Tundra. Still have them and they are in good condition. Unfortunately, they will not fit the OEM cross bars.
Forgot to mention: When I have my kayaks on, I do not use the factory rack. I take it off and just use the cross bars.
Amazon product ASIN B07ZTL77DX
Forgot to mention: When I have my kayaks on, I do not use the factory rack. I take it off and just use the cross bars.
Amazon product ASIN B07ZTL77DX
- Thread starter
- #4
Yea I have a Coosa HD and a Kilroy, amongst others, but those are the two I was interested in possibly carrying up there. Definitely don't want them hitting the spoiler either.
I'll have to look into these, maybe at the end of the day the flat rack is best?!
sleepycruiser
I will get by….I will survive -Touch of Grey LC200
I have LFD crossbars on the factory rails, but I haven’t tried to put it up there yet. I think since the back of the boat raises slightly it will be ok, but not sure with opening the rear hatch while it is on there.
- Thread starter
- #6
The rear hatch raises to a point higher than when closed and the spoiler angles up as well so I have my doubts that you'll be able to fully open the rear lift gate with the boat on the roof. That said, your LFD crossbars sit up higher than the factory crossbars, I believe, so that might work. There will be more clearance if you strap the boat down right side up, but I prefer run them upside down if I can.
When I carried the kayaks on the Tundra, I did not use a rack. I just squished the foam blocks around the round Yakima tubes and then set the kayaks on top of the blocks. I then secured them to the cross bars with straps and secured the bow to the front tow hooks with adjustable straps. Each kayak had three points of attachments. Then, on top of that, I wrapped a 1/2 inch plastic covered cable around the kayaks and around each of the cross bars to discourage theft. The security cable had loops to fit over the stern and bow and was pulled tight enough to prevent being slipped off. The big trick was keeping the padlocks on the security cables from bouncing around and causing damage. The size of my kayaks pretty much prevented anything else being placed on top, and that was with 72 inch cross bars. They are 17 1/2 foot sea touring kayaks. Pygmy Boats Cohos. I probably could have squeezed a couple of bikes on top but I would have had to jam everything together.
For our Hobie Tandem Island sailing kayak (18ft long ~145lbs trimaran) I installed a Rhino Rack, two Rhino Ladder Mounts to hang off two self made aluminum square 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" profiles/ramps 12ft long each (with carpet on them to facilitate sliding) and a small 12v Electric Winch with remote control attached with Rhino Awning clips and the result is pretty good with zero heavy lifting on or off.
Last edited:
Toss them (white water kayaks) on, strap them down to the factory rack cross bars/rack (two straps per boat), drive.
When the kayaks are bigger or with a two person canoe it is not so easy anymore.
Before I got to the solution shown I had purchased the Rhino T-loader however the Tandem Island is too heavy. Took 5 guys at the shop in Corpus to get it on the roof so I went to plan B after looking at some other solutions on the internet.
I have that T-bar laying around together with some additional clips and straps and cross bars. Maybe I can sell this next best solution to you for a reasonable price.
I have that T-bar laying around together with some additional clips and straps and cross bars. Maybe I can sell this next best solution to you for a reasonable price.
- Thread starter
- #14
Wow, impressive. Thanks for sharing.
HAH! I do have two white water boats, a Jackson Hero river runner/creek boat and a Liquid Logic Remix XP 10 which is kind of a crossover/river runner boat with a retractable skeg. I sold my true play boats years back. I would have no issue with those 10ft and shorter boats up there but the 13ft 70lb+ boats I am a little more concerned.
Buy Thule or Yakima canoe mounts and kayak saddles and mount them on your standard rack. Simple and works well.
I also run the Yakima bars. They also work well.
I also run the Yakima bars. They also work well.
I have a Tandem Island too and tried only once to roof top it. The full kit with mast was just too much for my comfort level, even with Thule racks and kayak cradles. I bought the Hobie trailer for it and love it. Super easy to transport, launch, and retrieve. I see that you take the sailing rig while trailering your RV, which I don’t do.
I do use the Thule Kayak cradles on Thule crossbars for roof topping our Hurricane kayaks and the Thule canoe cradles for roof topping our Wenoah canoe. I bought a Yakima canoe loader, but don’t bother with it since the canoe is only 39 lbs.
The Thule boat carrying equipment is so well made I do not use the factory crossbars and use Thule load bars instead.
I do have 2 plastic Old Town Loon Tandems (80lbs each) that i carry on the roof to paddle with my family, lots of ww boats and canoes, solo and tandem sea kayaks, etc. with the right bars, the roof will handle a lot. So will the OEM cross bars, although they are very short.
Yes, a trailer is a good option although at my place would not be able to store beside the garage. Kayak alone just fits. Also wanted easier access to more spots at the water and be able to take the RV as well... took a bit of planning and money (Rhino Rack...) and putting it all together. Then the wind noise via the sun roof was killing me so I made a custom wind fairing from 1/4" ABS plate, rubber edge material and some aluminum strips and stainless bolts. Pretty perfect and back to the quiet factory ride. No end to DIY fun though...
- Thread starter
- #19
It's nice to see a We-no-nah owner on here, nice boat.
CharlieS
GOLD Star
The main issue is opening the rear hatch if you run them flat. So we put them on their sides. We have both J hook (Rhino) and vertical (Thule) style racks that have worked fine on factory racks. I haven't carried boats on my Gamiviti yet.
