Group: Newbies
Posts: 2
Member No.: 19956
Joined: July 28, 2022
I just picked up an 83lb 34" wide "fishing" kayak, it is the second one. The other one is on a small trailer as it is a beast as far as weight goes.
I like the idea of car topping this one sometimes as I don't always want to tow a trailer. I also want to put a cargo carrier on top. I have Malone J racks but their max weight capacity is 75lbs. What are others doing for heavier kayak transportation without breaking the bank?
Group: Members
Posts: 283
Member No.: 57
Joined: February 10, 2011
I just used some velcro rack pads for my 85 pounder (on aero bars). Held well, but I made sure I always had front and rear straps to prevent movement. Would like to get some proper saddles in the future, but still unsure which are suitable. So expensive!!!
I figure these would interfere with a cargo rack, but the price is right, so you could "modify" them to make your situation work
question: how well are they staying on the bars? in the process of loading the kayak (from side of car, nose first then turn 90°) there will be quite a bit of shifting and i need them to stay still and not roll around the bar, e.g. to the point where the soft side turns under the bar.
i for one am using a pool noodle split lengthwise and taped to the bar. it is both cheap and "cheap". cad 3 / year but looks not that nice although the blue color let me see my car easy in a parking lot
Group: Members
Posts: 84
Member No.: 10878
Joined: January 24, 2016
i have the OEM bars, thin enough almost bands not bars so this is not a problem. but i in my experience, when i shift the kayak back and forth to center it on the bars sometimes the padding would roll under the bar because is not slippery enough or just catches on something.
Group: Newbies
Posts: 3
Member No.: 19429
Joined: November 08, 2021
I use a Yakima Big Catch saddle system for car topping my kayak . It has great weight capacity and is easy to attach to cross bars . It supports heavier and wider Kayaks easily .
Group: Newbies
Posts: 9
Member No.: 16218
Joined: August 02, 2018
I have the same problem , I have a Nucanoe Frontier 12, it is 80lbs and 41 inches wide. I have a bunk trailer with my Commander 12 on a rack but sometimes just want to load the F12 on the top of the 4 Runner and go where trailer parking is a problem. Is there a rack system for me?
Group: Members
Posts: 179
Member No.: 1194
Joined: January 17, 2012
Only applies to trucks. I have a 75 pound Ocean Kayak BG2. I’ve used both the Thule Goalpost and the bed extender from Princess Auto. Goalpost required both strength and technique to get it on top of the truck. Bed extender way easier as it’s waist level. One exception is the gate is down so need to secure stuff in bed.
Group: Members
Posts: 210
Member No.: 9805
Joined: July 28, 2015
If you drive on small roads with low speed you can be fine, but on high way with a top heavy and wide kayak (+strong wind) is a no go for me, it can end up really bad. I gave up long time ago to lift the kayak in top of the car. I keep a old car (minivan) as the toy car for taking the trips with the kayak inside of it. Be safe and don't push the limits.
Group: Members
Posts: 5299
Member No.: 50
Joined: February 10, 2011
I am still car topping my "wider" (34 inch wide) kayak, like this past Sunday when I kayak fished a lake in Haliburton area, driving 460KM around trip :-)