Best Base Roof Rack for Kayak Carriers

I have upgraded from my kid hauler to a 2021 TRD Off Road. I am a kayaker and would like to use roof racks to carry kayaks versus a bed rack.

Q1: Thule or Yakima bolt on towers? Prefer not to have friction towers.

Q2: Is there another roof rack option better than Yakima, Thule or Rhino? Like using an overland rack.

Q3: Scrap roof racks and use a bed rack with a tonneau cover?

I am a neophyte to this new world of Tacomas. Thanks

Wes

 

Rhino Rack

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/install-rhino-rack-vortex-rlt600-roof-rack.624050/

I mostly carry a 15' canoe, but the kayak gets loaded periodically. Rack can be easily removed when not needed.

 

I use a Martin offroad rack to carry my kayaks. Works like a charm and maintains a lower profile than a J rack attached to the cross bars.

 

how do you secure them? I’ve got a prinsu, looking to haul my kayaks too

 

I use

$16 NRS 1" Loop Straps 6' Pair Iconic Blue

NRS loop straps now, that was an older picture with ratchet straps.

I have eyelets attached to each side panel and I attach the straps to those. 9ft works for 2 kayaks and 6ft straps for 1.

When I only take 1 kayak attach the strap to the cross bar in the middle of the bar, across the yak and attach it to the buckle that is attached to the eyelet

 

looks awesome!

 

OP,

Welcome to the club. You have a ton of options ... and some of the good folks here have showcased how they do it. In case this helps, here is my list of roof racks. You can look at each of them and decide which one you like best and then drill down to figure out what would best haul the gear that you want to carry.

Good luck. Please let us know what you decide and post a pick so future forum readers can benefit from your experience.

Toyota OEM Roof Rack:
https://www.oempartsource.com/oem-p...tacoma-double-cab-roof-rack-pt27835170?c=az0x

AL Off Road:
https://aloffroadusa.com/collections/roof-racks

ARB:
https://arbusa.com/roof-racks/arb-base-rack/

Boreal:
https://www.borealvehicles.com/products/toyota-tacoma-2005-current-dual-cab-configurable-roof-rack

Cali Raised:
https://caliraisedled.com/collections/roof-racks/products/2005-2021-toyota-tacoma-economy-roof-rack

Dissent (scroll down for Tacoma Roof Racks):
https://dissentoffroad.com

DV8 Off Road:
https://dv8offroad.com/products/tacoma-roof-rack-16-present-tacoma-rrtt1-01

Eezi-Awn:
https://eezi-awn.com/product/k9-roof-racks/

Front Runner:
https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/roof-racks/slimline-ii-roof-rack-kits.html

Gobi:
https://www.gobiracks.com/product-c...ssories-gobi-racks/tacoma-crew-cab-2005-2020/

Hooke Off Road:
https://www.ubox-offroad.com/collections/toyota-tacoma-accessories-toyota-tacoma-parts

KC:
https://www.kchilites.com/roof-racks.html

Martin Off Road:
https://martinor.com/shop/foundation-rack-1

Prinsu:
https://prinsudesignstudio.com/product/2005-2019-toyota-tacoma-prinsu-cabrack/

Rave Off Road:
https://raveoffroad.com/collections/roof-racks/products/tacoma-roof-rack

Rhino Rack:
https://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/roof

Sherpa:
https://sherpaequipmentco.com/shop?category=2G/3G+Tacoma

Southern Style Off Road:
https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/05-tacoma-roof-rack/

Thule:
https://www.thule.com/en-us/fit-my-car?c=roof+racks&q=UeCBJ54CG

Uptop:
https://www.uptopoverland.com/collections/tacoma

Victory:
https://www.victory4x4.com/category/ROOFRACKS.html

Westcott Designs:
https://westcottdesigns.net/product/toyota-tacoma-3rd-gen-modular-roof-rack/

Yakima:
https://yakima.com/collections/roof-rack-systems