OEM Roof Rack - Capabilities? Failure stories?

honestly I don't know if its 100lbs per rail or 100lbs limit. Hopefully someone can chime in

 

Never had any flexing issue. No dents, no damage. I use a total of two straps. One around each rack. The canoe holds well, even after 2 hours highway and 1 hr logging road.

 

my guess is 100lbs total because of the roof limit, but just a guess. Where did everyone buy from, I can get it online for $240 shipped is the cheapest I have found

 

thanks!

 

I use an OEM rack to carry my 14' fishing kayak. I use a ratchet strap around each bar and then one more around the whole kayak and through the cab of the truck. I do this because I have a friend who only strapped his kayak to the factory rack of his Tahoe and he was driving during some pretty gusty winds and the whole rack tore loose from his vehicle with the kayak still attached.

I have never had any issues with my OEM rack, but I'd be more nervous about putting 2 yaks up there.

 

how much does your Kayak weigh?

 

69 lbs according to Native Watercraft's site, but I have a few add ons, including a rudder system, that add a few pounds.

 

You should always have a tie at the front of a load. If the wind starts to spin it the surface gets much bigger very quick. With 1 light line in the front it keeps the load from spinning. I also agree to use a strap through the cab.

I have had a kayak come loose on the highway that was held to my thule rack with 2 ratchet straps. The straps didnt break, but the whole kayak spun and pulled part of the rack off the roof. Bent up both rims on my mountain bike that was up there with it. This was a VERY scary situation, and has given me a great deal of respect for carrying a load on my roof. A line up front would have prevented the whole thing.


WooHoo post 500

 

I have a 60 lb 14 1/2 foot canoe. I use tie downs to the two cross bars and front/rear via straps to the hitch and skid plate. No issues with the rack at all including trips on very bumpy dirt roads and 75 mph on hiway

 

yep, I always have one line in front, one to the rear and at least 3 around the canoe itself and I keep the bow of the canoe slightly dropped in the front a bit so it is less likely for the wind to grab from underneath/inside of the canoe. You are basically putting an airplane wing on your roof with lift and drag forces pulling all the time.

 

I never looked at it that way, I always figured it was 100lbs Total load. I haven't seen any documentation that clarifies it tho.

I will assume its 100lbs total load limit across both rails unless I can find documents stating its per rail.

It all reality, would someone every load just One rail on the factor rack.......