Let's talk about carrying a kayak.

I'm trying to get ahead of "good kayaking weather" with a plan for transporting mine.

On my previous ride, I used a set of Yakima Mighty Mounts on the factory bars, plus some simple machined aluminum cylinders a friend cooked up for me. They look like four short, fat antennas up there, but they're great for holding the boat (upside down, and flat) laterally.

My first thought is to move that arrangement to the factory crossbars on my T4R. That'll work as well as it did before, sort of a no-frills setup.

That "back porch" spoiler over the top of the hatch, though, makes me pause. I see potential for a lot of wear on that part when loading the kayak. (Easier to load from the rear than from the side -- I don't have to pick up the entire weight of the kayak.)

So I've been looking at a slightly lifted setup, like the LFD bars (like this) or the Malone (read: affordable) version of Thule bars (like this) to help reduce that wear potential and [maybe] allow opening the hatch when loaded.

I want to keep with the "upside down and flat" setup rather than the J-shaped racks, as keeping the boat flat has allowed me to park in the garage without removing the boat. Nothing sucks like having to unload a boat or a bike from a roof-mount rack when you're already tired from the day's adventures, right? Oh, and I don't foresee a need to carry two of them -- when multiple boats are necessary, I'll trailer them.

So. How are you guys carrying your kayaks? Anyone else loading flat? What are you using to secure the boat once it's up there?

 

How do you propose getting the kayak over the spoiler without lifting the whole weight of the kayak?

In another thread forum member @java suggested using stainless steel Unistrut™ which provides all sorts of versatility in terms of strapping things down.

 

If carrying 1 I just put pads on the crossbars and strap it direct. If carrying 2 I use a cheap (Malone foldaway) carrier on the same crossbars.
I can open the back just enough to grab something out of the back without rubbing if careful but definitely plan the loading and unloading of the trunk ahead of time.
I use Voile straps to lash a piece of PVC to the front crossbar to load and unload. Lift the front of the kayak so it rests on the PVC, then lift the rear and slide it all over. Makes it an easy 1 person job when I'm not in the mood to overhead press.

 

That's my point, Cap'n.
In the past, I've lifted one end and placed it on the rear crossbar, then lifted the other end and pushed.
I'm thinking that the factory crossbars don't really give me enough lift and rearward placement to do that on the T4R, which is why I'm considering "lifted" crossbars. (Maybe I shouldn't have rushed into buying the factory crossbars as soon as I got the truck, huh?)

I like that idea -- get "longer than really necessary" bars, and slip a piece of pipe over one end. Slick!

 

I don’t have a Kayak, but my brother does. He carries his on a Gobi 1/2 Rack

 

Interesting...I've never heard of a Gobi 1/2 Rack, nor do they list one on their website...

 

If kayak is heavy you can drop a blanket on hatch spoiler and just slide it on the crossbars. I simply load kayaks from the side, but they are not very heavy.

 

Ehh, I think it's stated at 45 pounds. I'm just not as stout as I used to be.

 

I have the Yakima rollers that I used on my old Full sized Chevy truck camper shell, Just need the adapters for the Toyota rails. The front bar has saddles for the boats, while the rear bar has rollers so you can carefully get the bow on the rollers and guide it into the saddles.

 

Thule rack and load stops.

The 4Runner's raised roof rails take the most common Thule and Yakima universal racks that attach with big rubber straps. It's often easy to find a used one on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for half price.

Depending on how long your kayak is I suggest you also try sticking it right in the back window. Just remove rear seat headrests and recline to first click, then put a towel or pad on the bottom of the rear window opening and you can slide a boat right in and rest the bow on the front armrest. On a narrowerer boat you may be able to leave the rear headrests in and they may help cradle thd boat. I can pop in a 15 foot canoe with only about 3 feet sticking out. You should try it.

 

He called them and asked if they could build it. They could, and it was decently less expensive than the standard rack, so he ordered it. I think it took 8 weeks or so.

 

I use Thule hullavator. Best thing ever for a heavy kayak. You load on the side of your vehicle, and then lift the kayak up. Hullavator provides assist so it’s not as heavy.

Can’t imagine lifting this kayak without it myself.

 

^^^^

How tall is that setup, including your kayak?

 

no idea, my estimation is kayak at probably 12”, hullavator is probably 8-9”. It sits on top of Thule Crossbars.

 

I like that loader a lot.
The price is hefty, though, and at that height the whole assembly may be out of "fits in the garage" range.

 

yeah you can not expect the vehicle plus kayak to go inside garage as is. My garage height is small enough that I doubt a flush kayak carrier would help at all.
In summer the kayak stays under porch so it’s easier to load and unload outside, so I prefer to do that outside anyway.

 

Gotcha. Does it have the mesh bottom?

 

I just put my seats down and shove it through the rear Window

 

I'm not about to do that, given the mud, funky water, spilled beer, fish goo, and other gunk that may be on or in my 'yak after a trip.

 

I mean, I don't just go straight to fabric, I use a tote that the nose of the kayak goes into, and then a tarp goes the whole length and a little out the back Window, never had anything get wet or move around, a quick tie down and good to go

 

Ohhh! Well, that makes better sense now. :^)

 

Lol yeah, not about that fish in car smell life

 

I've been using Thule crossbars on my factory crossbars 60". This allows me the width for two Hobie Revolution 13's no saddles and using NRS straps (and bow and stern lines unlike the photo). With two people this is pretty straight forward to load, for solo its difficult but doable.

 

How do the Thule bars attach to the factory bars? Is that a specific Thule part, or something "generic?"

 

Yes it does.

 

They have feet that just strap on to the factory bars. I've been using these same bars and feet on the last 3 cars.

 

I see. Thank you.

 

Yeah that’s what I have as well.

 

meee tooooo