Roof Top Kayak Carrier Suggestions

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by ScowardNJ

If the Suby has an existing roof rack. Thule makes a foot pack that attaches right to the factory racks. Then i would recommend getting the wide load bars. As long as you are paddling plastic molded kayaks, not fancy Kevlar or other space age materials, all you gotta do is lay the yak flat upside down on the load bar with a strap over the hull at each bar. I roof topped 2 yaks thousands of miles this way with zero problems. It keeps a low profile and I swear I increased my MPG on my old 4Runner on extended trips. I'm not a fan of the J racks. It's just extra junk you have have on your roof. They act like sail boards and can push you all over the road in high winds and cause more drag on the car. I never use bow or stern ropes either-- 2 straps per boat, that's it.
I think my load bars are 65" and can handle 2 fishing yaks, side by side, laying flat upside down.

If you go over to paddling.net there are often some very spirited discussions over the need to to use front or front and rear tie downs. The general consensus there is to use at least front tie downs. Personally, if I'm just driving short distances over local roads I never bother with the front tie down, but if I'm hitting the highway for any distance I always use a front and rear tie down. The way I look at it, doing so can't hurt and even the best racks can fail. If that happens, best case you damage or destroy your yak or canoe. Worst case you can kill someone. The extra minute or two that it takes to tie down the front is worth the extra security.

[Ken Lyons]

The 52 inc load bars will handle most normal,with kayaks and you only need to pad the racks if you want to protect the bars. Plastic kayaks can easily handle it. Wether you need tie downs or not depends on the length of the kayak and the spread between the bars. If you have a 23' ocean cruiser tie downs are critical but if the overhang on the front is short, say less than 3 ft just make sure the front is tied down well.