kayak rack plan

[pduutkedu]

Hi, guys

I am thinking about getting a kayak rack for my 06 SR5. It should be able to carry at least 2 kayaks on the top. I went to a local store asking about a yakima configuration and the total is about $300, which is a little bit out of my expetation. So I hope to get some advice from here. Has anyone done the same thing lately? Any configuration suggestion or photos to share?

Thanks alot!

 

[brad6841]

Sorry I've never dealt with Kayaks....

I know you can haul one canoe upside down on the stock racks. As for the vertical side by side, I don't know of anything you can do yourself. The Yakima set up may be the way to go. I would do some checking on the price though, find out what parts they are ordering and look online to see if you can find them cheaper.

 

[TheBlueWave]

The only way to haul two kayaks at once on the runner is to get two "vertical" or "lay on the side" racks that won't take up too much space. This way you can have them side by side. Unfortunately, these racks are the costliest and act like a sail on your truck. Without carefully tying down your own way (Yakima tie instructions are a joke, IMO), you will feel the boat on the truck like a sail, not to mention they can slide around on the racks. You will need to be creative tying them on, the straps sometimes just won't do it.
I don't think you can get by for much less than $300 here to carry two boats. Look for used carriers or sales, maybe order online? Sorry for the bad news, but I really hate these kinds of carriers so I have gone another direction. I don't have them with me to post pics, sorry.

 

[riverwolf]

What kind of kayaks and what Yakima parts was your store specifying?

Assuming you have the factory roof rails, the only parts you *need* to carry two kayaks are a set of 4 Lowriders, ($144 MSRP, $130 @ ORS) and 58"/66" crossbars (51/55 at ORS). You're done for $200, even at full list. I'd recommend adding a fairing for wind noise, but you're still no more than $250. Unfortunately, if you go new, that's the cheapest it gets.

Depending on where you live, lots of paddling clubs have For Sale sections on their web sites and rack gear does come up used from time to time as people switch cars...still tends to run 50-60% of new price. Boatertalk also has a swap forum.

-Brent

 

[alaskaman]

Go to REI. =)

 

[leftyrb]

I carry two sea kayaks on my 2005 4Runner, I have the Yakima system where the cross bars mount over the factory rack. I have Hully Rollers on the rear rack and TLC saddles on the front rack. It works great - sorry no pics

 

[pduutkedu]

Thanks for all the replies. I am still new to kayak, and I will be very likely carrying those long and slim kind.

At this time I perfer the stacker system more, like this one:

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/product-pdf/yakima-kayak-stacker-instructions.pdf

One reason is that sometimes I might need to carry more than 2, up to 4. And with less than 4 I might be using the rest of the roof space for other stuff.

Is anyone using such a system? Any hard-to-tighten or too-much-wind-noise problem with this type?

 

[BuckyBadger]

Thanks for all the replies. I am still new to kayak, and I will be very likely carrying those long and slim kind.

At this time I perfer the stacker system more, like this one:

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/product-pdf/yakima-kayak-stacker-instructions.pdf

One reason is that sometimes I might need to carry more than 2, up to 4. And with less than 4 I might be using the rest of the roof space for other stuff.

Is anyone using such a system? Any hard-to-tighten or too-much-wind-noise problem with this type?

the ones you have linked here are really for shorter white water kayaks, not sea kayaks or longer kayaks (I assume that is what you mean by the longer thin kayaks)

Like leftyrb just mentioned I have the same setup with Yakima rack with hulley rollers and saddles in the front. When I don't have the rack system on and I want to take one kayak, I just use foam pads that fit over the factory cross bars, works well for short trips etc.

In the long run if you are going to spend some $$$ on good sea kayaks another $300 for a good yakima system to make sure they are secure on top is the best way to go IMHO.....especially if you are taking longer road trips with them vs just running to the water.

 

[pduutkedu]

Yes, sea kayaks or longer kayaks are what I want to carry. So far sounds like Hullyrollers and Saddle on the front is the choice.

When loading two kayaks, does the 2nd kayak go on top of the 1st one or we need another pair of rollers/saddle, which make it totally 2 pairs of rollers and saddles?

Also, what does it mean "go IMHO"?

 

[BuckyBadger]

Yes, sea kayaks or longer kayaks are what I want to carry. So far sounds like Hullyrollers and Saddle on the front is the choice.

When loading two kayaks, does the 2nd kayak go on top of the 1st one or we need another pair of rollers/saddle, which make it totally 2 pairs of rollers and saddles?

Also, what does it mean "go IMHO"?

Yes you would need two sets of each for two kayaks. They sit side by side. The rollers go on the back bar and the saddles will go on the front bar. You stand behind your 4R with the kayak and lift the front of the kayak up onto the rollers then you can roll the kayak up to the saddles in the front. Makes loading them very easy. To save money you can skip the rollers and go with saddles in the back as well, but with friction they don't slide as easy.



IMHO = in my humble opinion

 

[pduutkedu]

Thanks BuckyBadger. I'll go check it out in the local store.

 

[pduutkedu]

okay, just settled with the roller/saddle system. Just one more question, with the rollers+saddles on, the wind noise is really noticable while driving without a kayak on top. Any suggestion? Or I just take it off when no kayak is on.

Thanks.

 

[riverwolf]

okay, just settled with the roller/saddle system. Just one more question, with the rollers+saddles on, the wind noise is really noticable while driving without a kayak on top. Any suggestion? Or I just take it off when no kayak is on.

Thanks.

Did you get the fairing? If not, that may help some, but basically anything sticking out into the air stream is going to make noise. Even a fairing with empty crossbars makes noticeable noise above 55-60 since you've still got several inches of crossbar extending out beyond the fairing. Crossbars without a fairing will vibrate like the reed in a clarinet at certain speeds. With the Mighty Mounts, it's probably 5-10 minutes work to put them install/remove once you get the hang of it...your best solution, depending on how often you're toting the kayaks.

FWIW, I removed my factory crossbars once I got the Yakima setup...even the factory crossbars make noticeable wind noise.

Brent

 

[pduutkedu]

I decided to pass the fairing plan, because eventually now I have got used to the wind noise pretty well. Not that big deal. :biggrin2:

It took me some time to figure out the best way to load, unload and tighten-up, but once it's figured out, it's really very easy for just one person. I also have bought a $60 kayak stacker from ebay. So now it seems that I've got them all for the kayak carrying stuff.

I went to the lake Junaluska, NC last Saturday for the first kayak trip out. It was fun. And the next day I did a 11-mile stroking in another park. One couple was watching me unloading because they want somethin' similar to replace their hard-to-work foam system. Maybe the next trip will be in the lake Fontana? Not sure. But parking my runner in the lot with the "huge" kayak on top itself is quite a werid self-proud thing. :

Anyway, want to thank yall for the helpful inputs here!! Now let me offer some photos:

 

[TLMai]

Wow, congrats on the setup. I've got a similar setup for solo runs except I've got some Hullyrollers (makes loading solo so easy great investment), but I am running the Hullraisers so that two Yaks sit on top just fine. BTW nice Wildernesss kayak, the Cape Horn is one of my favorties to paddle with especially pout here in the Pacific. Happy paddling!

 

[kingbiscuit]

IMHO I think it is a little easier to flip the kayak upside down. It kind of makes your kayak a little more aerodynamic. I don't know if you went on the highway though. If it is just in town it is easiest just to throw it on top like you did. For 2 kayaks there are these trailer hitch extension things where you can let the kayak hang out the back. But that really depends on how particular you are with the interior. looks like you have a nicer new 4runner.

Question for saltwater kayakers, how do you deal with the salt water after being in the ocean? How much should I clean up afterwards?

 

[pduutkedu]

I did about 100 miles of highway. As long as it's tightened well, it's ok, but yeah, you are right about the aerodynamic thing. Just that the roller makes it easy for one person to lift the kayak up.

I didn't do saltwater kayaking this time. But I would also like to know the answer to the clean-up question.

 

[BuckyBadger]

pduutkedu

Glad everything worked out for you, great choice on the WS kayak as well, good all around kayak.

One more piece of advice for you from a fellow paddler, many people forget about heavy rain when their kayaks are on top of the cars, as kayaks are carried up right. If you plan on doing some longer trips with your kayak you might want to invest in a cockpit cover. This is a neoprene cover that covers the cockpit opening. Great for three reasons,

1. keeps rain out of the kayak when you are traveling with the kayak on top, it will not take a lot of rain to start filling up the kayak on top of your truck and it will begin weighing the kayak down and it could cause real damage,

2. also these are great for storage, keeps, bug, animals from making the inside of your kayak a home when you are not using it.

3. Reduces some drag on top of the truck as wind will not enter the kayak and make it act like a wind anchor, it will flow over and make it more aerodynamic.

Enjoy!

 

[TLMai]

Question for saltwater kayakers, how do you deal with the salt water after being in the ocean? How much should I clean up afterwards?

I have usually gone out of areas where we are fortunate enough to have kayak washing stations here in Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. For not so lucky places, I bought one of those big bug spray canisters that you pump up to get pressure. Before I leave home, I fill it up with fresh water and take it with me and once I'm done, I simply spray down my yak and towel it. But before I bring it ashore to spray it down, I simply put the yak back into the water and rinse off any beaching sediments, pull it out and place it somewhere where there is no sand.