Yakima Doublecross mounts with 1" conduit on 4th Gen?

[CAMELPRO]

This seems like a no-brainer, but I would like to know if anyone has tried this.

Get the Yakima doublecross towers, used for about $80. Head to Lowe's and get a couple sticks of conduit (EMT).....

Bam! You've got kayak racks of whatever size width you decide for less than $100.

My ultimate goal here is to haul two Lifetime Payette 116s face down on top of my rig.

And to be a tightwad about it. :thumb3:

 

[oljedi11950]

Seems bueno if nobody else will say it ! I'd wrap it with black duct tape just my IMO

 

[CAMELPRO]

Seems bueno if nobody else will say it ! I'd wrap it with black duct tape just my IMO

Thanks man. I've actually given that some thought too. I went ahead and bought the towers online. As soon as they get here I will test fit the conduit and report back. If everything goes well, I'll also post some pics up. If not, I probably won't. eep:

 

[Powder_Hound]

I've been using Yakima roof top carriers for almost 20 years and I would recommend looking on Craigs List or other used parts website for some used Yak lb's. The 1" Yak load bars are actually coated in vinyl which helps prevent the lb's from rusting and slipping in the jaws of your towers. I have seen many non-branded lb's rust and sieze clamping mechanisms so that the lb's can't be removed. I've seen Yak bars of all sizes for 25-50 bucks on Craigs List FWIW. It may appear cheaper to go the route you're going, but in the long run you'll appreciate getting the real deal.

My $.02

 

[KidVermicious]

The Yakima crossbars are going to be rated for supporting a load laterally, the conduit will not. Even if it fits, I wouldn't load it down too much.

 

[having fun]

I built my roof rack out of the same conduit. It is a little thicker in gauge and I have put a lot of weight up there with me standing in it. And it being galvanize, it is rust resistant coated.

 

[njsanna]

IF it even fits together, I think you'll be disappointed.
My load bars have a diameter of 1.11" and EMT OD is 1.16" according to any of the charts that you can find online. So, with tolerances these might fit, but will they be strong enough...
I've built my share of dirtbag cheap devices with EMT where I should have used proper steel tubing but it's never been a matter of safety. I paddle a lot and haul a lot of boats and used the stock rack and crossbars for a long time before deciding to spend the money on a proper rack system. You can fit a lot on the factory system.
Search the web for rack and crossbar failures...they can be deadly going down the highway at 70.
If you do go this route, be wise and thread your tie down straps through solid grab handles and always, always, did I mention always, tie down to the factory rack longitudinal bars and not just your EMT cross bars.

 

[CAMELPRO]

Lots of good info here guys, and I appreciate it. I have all intentions of being careful and checking things out at close time intervals.

The yaks weigh 44lbs each, spread out at 4 points of contact, I'm hoping for the best. I'm on a strict budget as of now, but if the initial setup looks good, hopefully I'll be able to find a good deal on some used bars as Powder Hound mentioned.

I built my roof rack out of the same conduit. It is a little thicker in gauge and I have put a lot of weight up there with me standing in it. And it being galvanize, it is rust resistant coated.

Where did you find this conduit at a thicker guage, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[having fun]

Where did you find this conduit at a thicker guage, if you don't mind me asking?

Home Depot... It's the same stuff you are looking at. The thickness is the same as WMW was using for his racks. I bought some mounting feet from him to build my rack.

 

[CAMELPRO]

Home Depot... It's the same stuff you are looking at. The thickness is the same as WMW was using for his racks. I bought some mounting feet from him to build my rack.

Ok, thanks. We don't have a HD here, but our Lowe's should have the same thing.

I've read where some people use gas line piping that's a little thicker. I would have to ask around to see where I might find something like that locally. I'm pretty open to possibilities since it will probably be a couple months before we take them out again, I'm sure. Thanks again for the info.

 

[njsanna]

Having Fun mentioned he used IMC in his build thread which is a larger diameter and thicker wall than thin-wall EMT. You may have a hard time with 1" IMC fitting in the Yakima mounts.
You could try 3/4" IMC which has an OD of around an inch and would have a thicker wall than 1" EMT.
Still don't recommend it (my disclaimer :hatsoff: ) but be sure and take a caliper with you to the store to measure the OD of whatever you purchase.
The Basics of Steel Conduit
Conduit Sizes - Desktop

or
You could do what this guy did and go super cheap without the yakima mounts. It still uses the stock crossbars for some of the load bearing but has the EMT to provide some additional width.
Make A DIY Tandem Kayak Rack | OutdoorWriter.net

Good luck

 

[CAMELPRO]

Having Fun mentioned he used IMC in his build thread which is a larger diameter and thicker wall than thin-wall EMT. You may have a hard time with 1" IMC fitting in the Yakima mounts.
You could try 3/4" IMC which has an OD of around an inch and would have a thicker wall than 1" EMT.
Still don't recommend it (my disclaimer :hatsoff: ) but be sure and take a caliper with you to the store to measure the OD of whatever you purchase.
The Basics of Steel Conduit
Conduit Sizes - Desktop

or
You could do what this guy did and go super cheap without the yakima mounts. It still uses the stock crossbars for some of the load bearing but has the EMT to provide some additional width.
Make A DIY Tandem Kayak Rack | OutdoorWriter.net

Good luck

Yes sir, I will definitely take a look at the IMC. Bringing the caliper is a great idea also.

Hmmmmmyeah, the project in that last link is a little scary even for me. :faint2:

Thanks for the input. :thumb: