Roof Rack on Cab, Cap, or Both?

So I'm planning on buying a 12' fishing kayak here in the next month as soon as I get my bonus and I have run into a transportation dilemma...

I just bought a Cap/Topper/shell/lid/camper/whatever you wanna call it and I'm trying to figure out if I should put a rack on it, Put the OEM rack on the cab, or put a rack on both?

For the cab, I'm pretty much set on the OEM double cab hideaway rack if I decide to put one on the cab.

Which do you recommend to transport the kayak? It's gonna weigh anywhere from 50-60 lbs depending on which kayak I go with, and how much gear I'm carrying.

How do you guys mount your kayaks? The J mounts? rollers? just strap them to the bars.

I have been researching for a little while and seem to see all sorts of combinations.

 

Not sure what kind of cap you've got but I'd just throw a rack on the cap and call it a day. You would only need a rack on one or the other.

 

It's a Leer. Not sure of the model, I bought it used.

 

Nice looking shell! I did the same thing, found one used... way too much new. The picture might be deceiving but it looks like the cap sloped downward toward the cab, might want to measure to make sure, if you put a rack on the cap, that the kayak won't hit the cab roof and the oppositte if you only put a rack on the cab. It should clear no problem since they stick up a few inches plus the mounting system. Another plus to the rack on the cap is the added wind noise is now over the cap, not the cab.

 

If the cap didn't come with the roof rack rails already in place, you will probably want to put them on. Thule works with Leer to put these on at the factory, but if it is not on there already, they are pretty easy to put on yourself. They will take some drilling and waterproofing the holes with silicon, but once they are on, you can put a rack on easily. I think the Thule model is TB60, tracks with bolts.

 

Definitely put the rack on the cap if the cap is on indefinitely. Loading it onto the cap will probably be easier because you can load it from the back. I had my truck set up like that but then I realized I wanted to be able go kayaking whether the cap was on or not. So I moved the rack back to the cab. My cap is off for good now, but loading from the side was tough. And to hold the kayak I have some angled rubber pads. It doesn't even need straps if I'm not going far.

 

The cap will be pretty much permanent except if I need to remove it to haul something that won't fit with it on.

Installing a rack is really not a concern, I am very mechanically inclined and have more tools than I can count.

Should I go with the track/rail system or not? I understand it leads to adjustability, however the only thing going up there will be the kayak or maybe my mountain bike.

 

I am looking to put racks on my shell too. I am leaning toward the track/rail system. The cheapest I have found for the complete set up is on Amazon. The local camper shell shop wants $500+ for the racks.

 

I put a rack on my shell to carry my 12' wilderness systems tarpon. I decided on this because it is easier to load from the back rather than the side of the cab in my opinion. Have fun, I really enjoy kayak fishing.

 

I really like the Thule parts, so with those you can go with drilling and screwing the feet directly to the cap or the rails that allow more adjustment. Personally I would recommend the rails and be able to adjust. Knowing me, I would mount the feet directly and within a couple of months I would want to move them and have to drill again.

 

I guess I'll go with the tracks for adjustability. They probably spread the load out a little bit more too.

Any idea on what length tracks I need?

 

$200 Thule TB60 Top Track Roof Mount Rack Mounting Track (60"es)

http://www.amazon.com/Thule-Track-Mount-Mounting-60-Inches/dp/B000CQ20AK/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_b

 

I would use the yakima hully rollers and the Mako Saddle combo. I just bought a roof mount to haul kayaks. I found them all over ebay for pretty cheap. I ended up buying the Thule Set and go and the hydro glide saddles because they were cheaper. You can mix and match certain Thule parts with the Yakima round bars.

http://thule.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/310


btw... craigslist and ebay is your best friend for racks. I got a complete Yakima rack w/ 3 bike mounts for $175 on craigslist. normally that would cost over $700.

 

I have a Raider cap with Thule tracker two rack system. It's a track mount system. You want to be able to adjust it. My kayak is 16 feet and needs to be spread out for more stability on the highway. My mountain bike carriers require the bars to be closer together so the track system is a must.

 

Definitely on the cap....not the cab.
Yakima Hully Rollers in the back and simple saddles in the front. i load my 21' necky kayak very easily by myself. just tilt it up on the rollers and lift the back, roll it forward to the saddles, and you're done. i can put it on the truck and tie it down in 2 minutes flat.

 

Update:

I got a set of Thule tracker II towers with TK1 feet for $115 shipped off of ebay and a set of 58" load bars off ebay as well for $50 shipped.

I need to go pickup the track system, the hully rollers & saddles, and locks this weekend. I will probably buy them locally new. I think i'm gonna go with the 60" track system and cut it shorter since the shorter track systems are actually more expensive than the 60" kit.

 

Getting my oem roof rack installed right now

 

Heres how i haul my Kayak

 

I have a Bajarack mounted over the open bed on Thule Xsporter racks....works great if you don't HAVE to have a cap.

 

Update:

I've been surfing ebay.

I picked up a set of 4 Thule Kayak saddles (enough for one kayak) for $65 shipped. I also ordered a set of Thule 60" tracks from Amazon.com for $109 shipped. They will be here on tuesday. It's weird how their shorter tracks are more expensive than the longer ones. I'm just going to cut the 60" tracks down to fit.

All in all I spent about $350 on a rack system that would have cost about $500-600 new. I'm pretty happy. I will probably install it one night this week once the tracks come.