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What roof rack should I buy for mounting kayaks? I don't have a bed cap.

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by foster35, Jul 5, 2018.

  1. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:30 AM
    #1
    foster35

    foster35 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What roof rack should I buy for mounting kayaks? I don't have a bed cap.
    I have dual cab TRD Offroad Edition, with tonneau cover.
     
  2. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:36 AM
    #2
    phsycle

    phsycle Well-Known Member

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    Several threads on this, but I would go with a bed extender: If you must get a rack, why not a bed rack instead of a roof rack?

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:38 AM
    #3
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    15' yaks.

    If you want a roof bar, the L bar can go in the hitch making it vertical with the T on top.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2018
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  4. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:48 AM
    #4
    josh0724

    josh0724 Well-Known Member

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    I'm rocking a KBVoodoo rack and it has been pretty solid. They had some issues with powdercoating but I believe they got it all sorted out.

    20180210_152222.jpg
     
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  5. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:49 AM
    #5
    Joe23

    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    Depending on size and height this doesn't actually work.

    I have a Swift pack boat (kayak hull, canoe top)

    I can mount my bed rack still but if I tried securing a portion of my boat to the rack it around drive the front into my cab roof .Pack boat is 13.6ft though.

    Honestly if just looking for a way to transport kayak etc and nothing else then foam blocks and straps to the roof is easiest way, which is how I do it.

    And doesn't matter what rack you have roof or bed if you want to carry more than just the boat you'll need something that stores it sideways many companies (Thule etc) make side mounts that you can mount to all sorts of racks etc.
    Mine has to be transported upside down because it's open like a canoe sideways would be hard on the gunwales.

    Price to pay for a 26lbs boat perfect for portaging.
    20180501_134212.jpg
     
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  6. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:50 AM
    #6
    strktly_bodysurf

    strktly_bodysurf Well-Known Member

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    The oem roof racks are fine for my 60 pound kayak. Takes some effort to get it in the roof, but it frees up the bed for other stuff so that's nice.
    I'm also considering the bed extender that everyone has as well. That looks pretty convenient.
     
  7. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:53 AM
    #7
    phsycle

    phsycle Well-Known Member

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    My 13' kayak weighs something like 98 lbs. Another reason why I carry it in the bed than up high. Foam blocks would be easy though. Just make sure to clean off the roof and the blocks to avoid scratches.
     
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  8. Jul 5, 2018 at 8:55 AM
    #8
    Hextall

    Hextall Well-Known Member

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    I have a prinsu for my kayaks, but I think a bed rack is easier to use. Someone above suggested KB Voodoo... they have brackets that'll work with the OEM tonneau cover. There's not many options for bed racks that'll work with the OEM tonneau cover (I believe).

    Another option I debated but ultimately went another direction is to put the boats in the bed and use this:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I1AQRM...Xl&pd_rd_r=H38211BTN8R1MWN3ZH9N&pd_rd_w=yUfSZ
     
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  9. Jul 5, 2018 at 9:22 AM
    #9
    Joe23

    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    Ya kayaks are heavy dude.

    Unless you're buying a Swift at least from what I know. Any plastic one is heavy .Swift only uses a mix of Kevlar and carbon fiber.
    The the Adirondack 13.6 pack I have is 26lbs and the Adirondack 13.6 kayak version is I think around 37lbs. Little heavier .
     
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  10. Jul 5, 2018 at 9:54 AM
    #10
    chaotic_taco

    chaotic_taco Well-Known Member

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    Couple things to consider here: lots of different solutions. One consideration is trailer / cargo towing with the boats. I have a pop up and take my canoe camping, so the bed extender would not fly for me. If you're looking for specific kayak mounts, then you'll want one of the systems that goes with them, whether roof or bed mounted. I wanted something more generic that wasn't a bed rack, so I got a Baja rack. A Prinsu is similar in some respects.

    IMG_20180406_151551892.jpg
     
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  11. Jul 5, 2018 at 2:11 PM
    #11
    KB Voodoo

    KB Voodoo Well-Known Member

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  12. Jul 5, 2018 at 3:50 PM
    #12
    JAL

    JAL Well-Known Member

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  13. Jul 5, 2018 at 3:56 PM
    #13
    HKStrongside

    HKStrongside Active Member

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    What do you guys think about the Toyota OEM roof rack for hauling Kayaks? That is what I was thinking of doing but after checking this thread out, seems like they (kayaks) might be to heavy for the roof?
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2018
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  14. Jul 5, 2018 at 4:04 PM
    #14
    rollin904

    rollin904 Feather Slinger

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    One guy said his was fine with a 60 pound yak. I'm not a huge fan of the bars on it but I think Thule and others make adapters for factory bars. Mine is close to 90 pounds and I would hesitate to throw it on the cab rack, no problem on my caps Thule though
     
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  15. Jul 5, 2018 at 4:07 PM
    #15
    Pine State

    Pine State Well-Known Member

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    This is what i use. I load my 16 foot fiberglass old town that weighs over 100lbs entirely by myself. I probably couldnt do that onto a roof rack.
     
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  16. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:35 AM
    #16
    Wattapunk

    Wattapunk Stay lifted my friends !

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    If you need bed space and don't have the storage or care for hauling a trailer, I would go with a prinsu rack. I sold my Yakima roof rack and went with a prinsu rack just to haul a kayak. I did not want to chance any roof damage with strong wind resistance hauling a 70lb 13ft kayak over 230 miles one way. Very solid rack with lots of tie downs vs any factory or aftermarket Yakima or Thule setup.

    20180702_111316.jpg

    20180702_182405.jpg
     
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  17. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:47 AM
    #17
    Tocamo

    Tocamo .

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    Not sure if the Foams work on Yaks, but they do just fine with my Canoe without a roof rack!

    IMG_4048.jpg
     
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  18. Jul 6, 2018 at 8:19 AM
    #18
    vicali

    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

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    We bought a Prinsu for our canoe - can carry while towing a trailer;
    62lbs, 16ft Prospector - with Malone boat carrier.

    [​IMG]
     
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  19. Jul 6, 2018 at 8:23 AM
    #19
    strktly_bodysurf

    strktly_bodysurf Well-Known Member

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    OEM racks with a 12 foot 60 pound kayak. Drive 50 miles round trip with side wind the whole way. Racks felt stable and the only noise I heard was the kayak strings/straps hitting my roof while flopping around.

    IMG_7479.jpg
     
  20. Jul 6, 2018 at 8:40 AM
    #20
    RFolsom

    RFolsom Well-Known Member

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    33751440_1766385563405101_8242689406696161280_n[1].jpg Yakima towers, bars, etc.
     
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