Roof weight max and Kayaks

[r32]

Cannot find roof weight max for 4th gen. I have the standard rack that comes with the 2008 Sport Edition.

Also, how much of a b!tch is it to get a kayak up there? Can one person do it? Looking at a fishing Kayak for bass fishing adventures and the weight of those kayaks seems to be in the 80-100lb. That seems like it would be a huge pain to lift above my head to get on the roof, without damaging the car.

Come to think of it, can't ever recall seeing a 4Runner with kayaks on the roof.

Anyone with experience in that area, would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

Ive use a Yakima Kayak Stacker. Holds 2 kayaks in the upright position just fine. Its doable with one person. Sometimes lifting a 12 foot kayak by myself is a bit of a pain but the rack works well, id recommend it. The stock rack holds them fine, Ive had 4 kayaks on the roof with no issues...

 

[r32]

How heavy are your kayaks? I noticed a big difference in weight between non fishing recreational kayaks and the serious fishing kayaks.

I found the roof rack weight for 5th gen is 120lbs. That wouldn't even support the heavier fishing kayaks which can weigh into the 130 range.

 

[trey99ek]

I had 2 kayaks on 4th gen with the stock rack. Probably around 80 to 100 pounds. I never had an issue with it.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

 

[CO_Fletch]

Two Sea Kayaks weighing in at ~60 pounds each with some gear. They are sitting on a Thule rack attached to the stock rails.

With the lift it is difficult to load them solo - not a problem with two people.

There is at technique where I can lift the cockpit of the kayak to my shoulder as if I was solo carrying, but it can be a challenge keeping it steady and lifting to the roof height. If they were shorter or the 4runner weren't lifted, it would be easier. If I go solo, some drop cloths or padding helps protect the 4runner to load solo.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Yes, 4Runners as well as Corolla's carry multiple kayaks

Yes, a pain to load kayaks on top of SUV. I could load my Ocean Kayak Prowler (approx 50 pounds) bare-handed but it's not safe. I could trip as I walk toward the vehicle, or a gust of wind may blow before I place the kayak on the rack.
Therefore, I use Thule Hullavator to aid in loading kayaks. It has hydraulic assist of 40 pounds. Newer version may have stronger assist. Plus it's safer.

• Load Kayak sideways around chest -level on J-shaped cradle. Loader will keep it balanced, and stable. Option to secure already with straps.
• Push kayak up to roof-level, still sideways. Loader has 40-pound total hydraulic assist aside from keeping kayak stable and balanced.
• Finally push kayak flat on rack and secure with straps.

 

[BackOff]

2004 owners manual, pg.267

"Do not exceed 54kg (120lb.) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier."

Seems like others have stated that its the cross bars that are the weak link.


My last boat is too heavy for me to lift and the 4runner keeps getting taller.
I use the Yakima bars. I stick a metal bar in the front Yakima bar so that it sticks out past the edge of the 4runner, far enough to set one end of the boat on. So now the boat is sitting at the diagonal, I lift the other end of the boat, that's on the ground (old rug)...and whala the boat is on the roof!
I added a piece of webbing to both the forward most front fender bolts to tie off the front of the boat. They tuck inside when not in use.

 

[hinmo24t]

i see additional cross bars (oem) on craigslist or buy them new, ad a third of those and increase load capacity perhaps. i almost added two more oem crossbars, 4 total, as opposed to all these heavy and wind resistant aftermarket options i see out there. my surfboards, snowboard bag, and other items can be carried up there just as well. you should be fine with kayaks up there.

 

[Trumpet]

We load a 70lb canoe some weekends, it's a bit awkward as I'm 6ft and the wife is 5'3''. Looked at the Thule hullivator, also used a homemade roller adapter for the hitch.

It's works ok.

Now we're looking at carbon fiber/kevlar hulled canoes. About 25 to 35 lbs. Going to think hard about that.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Also note that:
1) With factory cross-bars your loading area would only be as as wide as the distance between the rails., while aftermarket ones extend beyond the rails. Important if you're considering more than one boat.
2) Factory bars usually have weight on plastic parts, while after-market have weight resting directly on the rails.

2004 owners manual, pg.267
... I stick a metal bar in the front Yakima bar so that it sticks out past the edge of the 4runner...

Yes, that's a good method. In fact, rack manufacturers offer their own more expensive version

..also used a homemade roller adapter for the hitch...

Good method too, If factory rails are very close to rear of roof. Round load-bars like Yakima's through PVC pipe "rollers" would work.

... add a third of those and increase load capacity perhaps.

Adding cross-bar will not increase the load capacity because the latter is capacity of the factory rails- the same rails that will support the weight that rests on the load-bars. Additional load-bar would only distribute the load more evenly and make load more stable.

 

[r32]

Thanks for all the great info. Looks like I've got more research to do. Did not know they had the extend rail racks that go beyond the roof size. Looks like that might be the best way to go, as i'd eventually want to get two kayaks, in case I meet a girl who actually doesn't mind getting dirty.

I'm not getting any younger but at least I'm tallish at 6-'2" so no problem reaching the top of the roof to slide something up there. Anyone have problems with the useless spoiler on top of the hatch getting in the way or breaking off by sliding a heavy kayak over it onto the rails?

 

[hinmo24t]

Also note that:


Adding cross-bar will not increase the load capacity because the latter is capacity of the factory rails- the same rails that will support the weight that rests on the load-bars. Additional load-bar would only distribute the load more evenly and make load more stable.

distributing the load across more surfaces should decrease or better distribute pressure translated to the factory rails though, no? it would be taking from two pressure points on one side and distributing among a third or fourth if you add one or two bars. also, if the ratings refer to the factory rails, id assume they left a lot of tolerance for liability, and that adding a good 20% to their number would still suffice aside from outliers. therefore loading (120x1.2) 144lb would be fine in fact. people underestimate the effect of lawyers and sue happy societies on design-tolerances/what's passed on to the consumer.

 

[NinjaOne]

Depending on the rack, it's a lot easier with two people to load them. Dynamic load is ~120 lbs, static/parked load is closer to 300# That ~120 wont' change much even with an aftermarket rack.

It's a challenge, but not impossible for one person to put i up on the roof. I've put my spare (~90 lbs) on the roof solo before

 

[RAD4Runner]

... I stick a metal bar in the front Yakima bar so that it sticks out past the edge of the 4runner..

Here's Yakima's version called the boat loader. Simple, minimal effective method.

https://www.yakima.com/boatloader

Can't do that with factory cross-bars.

 

[BackOff]

That is a bit better than my hillbilly mod...I guess I am more a desertbilly...
A leftover from some concrete forms.

 

[RAD4Runner]

That is a bit better than my hillbilly mod...I guess I am more a desertbilly...
A leftover from some concrete forms.

Yours is better because it does the job and it's free.

 

[Johnny4runner]

I’ve highwayed and offroaded with 2 two-person kayaks, which is probably well beyond what Toyota rates the rack and cross bars for. Worked fine, except when it got windy.

Most important step is to watch your load and use common sense.

 

[TannerW]

https://imgur.com/ckS1SxE

I use a kayak carrier I bought off of Amazon to carry mine and my girlfriends kayaks. This trip we drove about an hour on the interstate going 70 mph and about another 30 minutes on windy backroads. Everything held up great!