47-inch roof rails<\/strong>, this roof rack can also be used on its own to carry kayaks provided that you add some padding and the proper tie-downs. But for longer trips, it\u2019s best to use this sturdy crossbar as the foundation and add onto it. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Choose the Best Kayak Roof Rack for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTypes of kayak Roof Racks<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPads<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A simple and easy method of transport. Padded set-ups are a non-uniform category that encompasses a lot of the basic designs for getting a kayak on a vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, it\u2019s some orientation of foam or another padded surface<\/strong> secured lengthwise along the top of the vehicle, generally secured to the top of the car via some sort of crossbar. This does give you versatility<\/strong> as the foam blocks can be easily moved and adjusted as you change kayak types.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut it\u2019s hard to secure your boats as tightly to your car <\/strong>as you may like and there\u2019s more potential for your kayak sliding back and forth. <\/p>\n\n\n\nI wouldn\u2019t use this method for long journeys<\/strong> or if you\u2019ll be traversing rough or steep roads, but it does fine if your portages will be short and easy. It\u2019s hard to quibble with how cheap they tend to be and their ease of installation. <\/p>\n\n\n\nJ-Style<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Arguably the most popular rack design available, J-style racks are space-efficient but don\u2019t sacrifice stability<\/strong> or security during transport. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe name is derived from the J-shape appearance when looking at the rack straight on. Kayaks are stored almost vertically<\/strong>, generally with the top of the kayak facing the taller side of the \u201cJ.\u201d This allows boats to be loaded from the side of the vehicle instead of having to heave it up from the back and run it the length of the car. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile this method works great for lighter kayaks or if you\u2019re on your own and need to load your kayak by yourself<\/strong>, it can be less advantageous if you use a larger or heavier kayak. With the J-Style there\u2019s no real way to \u201crest\u201d the kayak against your car until it\u2019s actually in the strap.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe vertical storage method does free up the top of your vehicle for an additional kayak or a different type of storage roof rack<\/strong>. This makes them appealing to owners with smaller vehicles or longer commutes where storage is more of a premium.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRollers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Like the J-style, a roller rack is another good option for independent paddlers<\/strong>. Rollers are similar to a conveyor belt, with a rack usually made up of two or three rollers which tend to be in sets of 2 or 4 wheels each.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis lets you load from the back of your vehicle<\/strong>. Once you get the bow on the first set of rollers, you can easily slide your boat from one set to the next until you have it properly centered. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile I\u2019d still recommend the J-Style for solo paddlers<\/strong> strong enough to lift their kayak from the cockpit to the top of their car, I prefer the rollers for heavier boats. Tandem lifters can leverage the bow onto that first roller and then work together to push the stern up.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSaddles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Saddles are like a more intricate and secure foam pad set-up<\/strong>. These U-shaped pads are connected to horizontal bars secured to your car roof. The kayak rests in this sling with the hull resting on the bottom of the U.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStraps are pulled over the top of the kayak\u2019s deck and secured to the other side of the saddle. You can make the connection even stronger by tying the bow and stern of the boat<\/strong> to the front and back of the vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWith enough points of contact, saddles carriers can be good for cross-country trips <\/strong>or along more hazardous roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThey do take up more roof space <\/strong>since they\u2019re stored horizontally. If you only own a single kayak and don\u2019t need any additional roof storage space this may not be an issue. But smaller vehicle owners with multiple boats or the need to maximize roof storage may want to look at a J-Style model instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCrossbars<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, crossbars themselves are not used for kayak transportation. Instead, they\u2019re used as mounting points<\/strong> for other various storage methods like Saddles or J-Style.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut you can use them for transport as well, though I\u2019d recommend you only do so for short distances <\/strong>and that you also secure the bow and stern to the car as well to keep it from sliding back and forth in addition to side to side. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you do go this route, use your crossbars in conjunction with some pads. <\/strong>Crossbars are usually metal which can damage fiberglass boats and are more likely to let your kayak slide around with sudden starts and stops. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStackers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
An even more extreme version of the J-Style, stackers store your boats completely vertical <\/strong>as opposed to J-Style which is usually around 45 to 60-degrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe kayak is then secured to a metal rack that is mounted vertically too, usually to a crossbar or something similar. This maximizes the storage space<\/strong> on top of your car and even smaller vehicles may be able to carry up to four kayaks at a time!<\/p>\n\n\n\nSince the boats are carried straight up and down, it does maximize the surface area exposed <\/strong>when you\u2019re looking at the vehicle head-on which will increase wind resistance and the likelihood of something hitting your kayak in transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSUV or Small Vehicle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before selecting what type of rack you\u2019re going with, measure the surface area of your vehicle\u2019s roof<\/strong> as well as the dimensions of your kayak(s). Once you know how much of a space \u201cbudget\u201d you have, you can make a more informed purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor smaller vehicles, I\u2019d seriously consider a vertical storage option like a J-style or stacker. Yes, your boat will stick up more which will increase wind resistance and decrease your gas mileage, but I really think what you get back in extra storage space is worth it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Long vs Short Trips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve done a few extended drives with my kayaks and it\u2019s by far my least favorite part of any trip. No matter how much you spent on your boat, it\u2019s important that you keep you and your fellow motorists safe <\/strong>no matter how long your run to the lake or ocean is.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMake sure that your racks and any associated straps or harnesses are in good working order. No matter the rack design, I rest easier if I tie the bow and stern of my kayaks to the front and back of the car. It may be a little bit of overkill, but the extra few minutes at the beginning and end of the trip seem like a worthy investment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never assume that you can get away without a secure set-up just because it\u2019s a short trip. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nKayak Weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most kayak racks are rated to hold a certain amount of weight. Always check these specifications before you purchase.<\/strong> Like a kayak\u2019s load capacity, never overload a roof rack. <\/strong>When in doubt, get one rated a little heavier. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is especially important if you own one of those big, beefy fishing kayaks that can weigh a couple hundred pounds. You may have to transport these in the back of a big pick-up truck instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, make sure that you can safely get your kayak onto your roof rack safely<\/strong>. Even lighter kayaks can weigh more than 50 pounds, and that\u2019s a lot of dead weight to have that high above your head. When in doubt, always ask someone for help so you don\u2019t injure yourself or your boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\nbest kayak roof racks – Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hopefully, this article has reinforced the need to go with a high-quality and reliable roof rack that\u2019ll keep you, your kayak, and your fellow motorists safe. Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly and have a firm understanding of how your roof rack goes together before you set out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What do you think of our list? We\u2019d love to hear your feedback or other ideas. If you have anything to add, please add them in the comments below. <\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of the most overlooked but most important aspects of kayaking is getting it safely to and from the water. Kayaks are sizable investments and the last thing you want is to skimp on the product that will keep your boat secure as you go flying down the highway. In this article, we\u2019ll highlight the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"If you\u2019re looking for the best kayak carriers, we have carefully selected the best kayak roof racks for you. Read on!","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3928"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3928"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3928\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5693,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3928\/revisions\/5693"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}