If you plan to carry over one kayak, then a stacker-style rack would be your best option. The number of kayaks you want to transport at any one time will also play a huge factor in your kayak rack decision. How Many Kayaks Do You Need to Transport? In other words, on journeys where driving at high speeds isn't necessary. Temporary pads should only be used to take your kayak to local waterways. How Far Are You Traveling?įor long-distance travel where you’ll most likely be driving at high speeds, you’ll need a fitted and secure roof rack. If you usually paddle by yourself, you may want to invest in a load-assisted carrier to help you get the kayak on and off the roof.įor those who only plan on taking their kayak out occasionally, a temporary roof rack might be sufficient for your lifestyle. J-cradles are also durable and easy to load and unload from the side of your vehicle. Saddles at the front and rollers at the back are some of the most convenient hauling systems for people who paddle regularly. If you paddle numerous times a week, you’ll want a system that is easy to load and unload, so you aren’t wasting time. The amount you use your kayak can also influence the roof rack system you install on your car. Factory fitted crossbars may have a weight capacity, so it is important to check before loading your kayak. If you have factory or aftermarket crossbars, then a J-style rack, saddles, or stackers can mount onto the bars and carry your kayak. Temporary pads don’t need to be mounted to anything and can be strapped onto any type of vehicle. Having a bare roof or one fitted with side rails only limits your kayak rack system to temporary pads. Your car could have one of four base roof possibilities, and whichever your car has will influence the roof rack system you purchase. How To Choose The Right Roof Rack For Your Kayak Temporary pads can be mounted onto most vehicles and they don’t require pre-installed crossbars or rails. If you plan on taking your kayak out regularly and traveling down roads at high speeds, temporary pads aren’t for you. They are favorable for short journeys but are not designed for frequent or long-distance travel. The straps of the pads are placed both inside and outside of the car and hold your gear securely in place.įoam or inflatable padding is then attached to the racks to protect your kayak while it is on the roof. Temporary pads are easy to install and remove. These racks can carry multiple kayaks at a time because they are held vertically on their sides instead of horizontally.ĭepending on the width of your car, you’ll be able to carry up to 4 kayaks at once and a stacker rack will require crossbars installed on your car roof. Heading out on a kayak trip with your buddies? Then a stacker or vertical roof rack will be the best option. Most saddle racks need to be mounted to pre-installed roof crossbars. Saddles are a secure way to transport your kayak because they have a large surface area supporting them and won’t move when traveling at high speeds or over long distances. They act as a seat for the hull of your kayak and the kayak can either be transported horizontally or the right way up. The saddle involves single or double interconnected cradles that adjust to the width of the vehicle. Saddle or horizontal racks are a great choice if you plan on only transporting one kayak at a time. J-style racks add extra height to your vehicle when in use, so this is important to keep in mind if you’ll be traveling through height-restricted areas. When using a J-cradle, you’ll need pre-installed crossbars on your car to mount them to. Using a J-cradle also means that you can install another J-cradle on the other side, and carry two boats at once. J-cradles are a great option if you want to carry your kayak and extra gear on the roof of your car because they leave you with adequate space once installed. They have a side-loading mechanism so you can load and unload your kayak onto the roof from the side of the vehicle. J-cradles or J-style racks have a versatile shape and are one of the most popular kayak roof racks on the market. The type you choose will depend on your specific kayak and the vehicle you’ll be using to transport it. There are 4 types of roof racks, j-cradles, saddles, stackers, and temporary pads. Thule 898 Hullavator Pro Kayak Lift Assist Carrierīefore you purchase a kayak roof rack, you need to decide which type would suit you best.IKURAM R Kayak/Surf/Ski Roof Carrier Rack. ![]() Rhino Rack Folding J Style Kayak Carrier.The Top 10 Kayak Roof Racks: Guide for All Budgets.How to Choose The Right Roof Rack for Your Kayak.
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