How to transport Kayaks

I did not have a problem with my Yakima rack clips fitting against the paint on my previous truck and I will be using them on my new Taco. The clips have molded plastic over it to protect the paint and go on nice and tight. I do however always use a bow and stern line attached from the boat to the truck in the event of rack failure.

 

Thank you for the reply, I feel better about it now and I do like the setup. Also agree bow/stern straps always required, not so much for rack failure as much as fighting the updraft of wind pushing up against the load - I don't think people realize that as much when they are strapping to their roof.

How is gas mileage impacted loaded/unloaded?

 

Good to hear you use the bow/stern line. It doesn't happen too often but when a rack fails due the forces placed upon it things can be pretty ugly. I can't say I ever kept a record of gas mileage with the boats on top but I have made many 6+ hour trips loaded and I didn't notice my tank going down exceptionally fast. Since my new Taco keeps track of the gas mileage that is something I'll pay attention to and I'll chime in when the season starts again.

 

I think the bow/stern straps are more important in case you have to stop fast or get rear ended. That yak could become a missile!

 

Anybody have a setup with a hitch extender with a single roof bar?

 

Let me know what you find out. I'm thinking about using the racks with the hitch extender. I'd like to transport 2 full size kayaks

 

Here is my post on what I ended up going with: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rhino-rack-installed.470338/

I'm not sure what the hitch extender would get you if you are still intending on having/using a roof bar. I'm personally not a fan of the hitch extender.

 

I made this to carry a 17 ft sea kayak and other toys

 

Sorry for the late reply and looks like you got something already.

The rack is completely silent when unloaded. With kayaks you will hear them though not bad, just wind noise, no whistling if you curl your straps (leaving them flat will cause the wind whistling).
I lay the kayaks flat upside down, that's why I wanted 60in bars and I'd still do it again.

You can't use the sunroof with any speed or the wind will come down on your head, (sunroof still operates normally though and doesn't interfere with the rack) not an issue for me, I didn't really want the sunroof, but it came with the Tech package that I did want.

Not sure how I feel about the clips on the paint. I don't think they will chip the paint, there is rubber there, but maybe damage and discolor it. The good thing about my white though is no clear coat, so any damage that isn't through the paint can be buffed out.
I haven't taken them off since putting them on, so I don't know what that area looks like after having these probably 9 months or so.

 

Hey, thanks for the reply. I'm in the same boat with the sunroof, didn't necessarily want it but it came with the tech package that I had - but since it's there I want it to be usable (why I didn't go with a full roof rack setup). You make a good point having white paint with the clips, it is less of an issue.

What kind of kayak mounts are you using since you are loading face down? Even Keel, or saddles? I was going to go with Jay Low or Bigstack, but I'm interested in pro/cons of different setups.

 

I'm not using any mounts, I just throw the kayaks right on the bars. They are just plastic sit on top kayaks so they lay on the bars nicely and it won't damage them or the rack. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures.

 

How many of you kayakers tie down the bow and stern with a roof rack? I don't want the bow and stern tie-downs to scratch the front and year of the Taco. I plan on using Yakima Jaylow mounts if that helps any.

 

They should always be used, not just for side to side movement or redundancy but also updraft against the kayak is a lot of stress on the rack with the upward force when you are traveling down road at highway speeds. The rear isn't a big deal you could just tie off from a D-Hook in the bed. With the front, the Yakima racks come with straps that have a clear plastic / rubber tube on them to prevent scratching the paint. I've never had a paint rubbing issue with previous vehicles.

$49 YAKIMA, Bow/Stern Ratcheting Tiedowns for Securing Boats, Kayaks and Canoes

https://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Bow-S...&qid=1485904999&sr=8-8&keywords=yakima+straps

 

I used to use them just as an extra security measure. I had bought a Westin Safari bar for the front for the primary purpose as a tie down point.

 

Thanks. From what I read the Jaylow comes with the non-marring bow and stern straps. I'll can't use the bed as an anchor point as I plan to have my bed cover closed during transport. I'll just tie both down with the Yakima system.

 

I used these on my Sienna and plan on using these on my Taco for a tie down point for the bow.

http://www.rackattack.com/yakima-an...+-+Top+Brands+-+search+-+exact+-+Enhanced+CPC

 

I'm picking up a pro angler 12 in a couple months. I think it's gonna be too heavy for a rack so I'm think I'll just do a bed extender.

 

98lb, that can go on the roof, pushing the limit of the OEM rack but Yakima/Thule/Rhino Rack would be no problem.

 

What metal rack is that?

 

Anyone have experience with these? OR any other brand with a foldable j cradle!?
Theres no way I plan on spending nearly 300$ American on ONE cradle when I need 4

Ill be mounting them to my PRINSU rack.