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Kayaks on a Toyota 4Runner Roof rack
It's freezing here in NH and I'm looking towards Spring. I need some
suggestions for getting a couple of kayaks on the roofrack of my '04 4Runner. On my old vehicle (Explorer) I had a Thule rack with saddles and roller coasters to carry two kayaks. The roller coasters were great because I could put the bow of the kayak on the rollers and then just lift the stern and roll the boat onto the rack. That's not going to work with the 4Runner because the rear rack cross member is too far forward and a rear spoiler interferes with the rollers. Anyway, I like the look of the 4runner factory rack and would hate to have to replace it with the Thule bars. It is strong enough to carry the two kayaks with no problem. I was thinking that maybe I could rest the bow in the "V" created by the open front door and the body and then lift the stern but that doesn't look like it will work either. So, how do people get their kayaks up on their SUVs? Just lifiting it up on the rack from the side is not an option. Any ideas? |
Kayaks on a Toyota 4Runner Roof rack
George Pagliarulo wrote:
It's freezing here in NH and I'm looking towards Spring. I need some suggestions for getting a couple of kayaks on the roofrack of my '04 4Runner. On my old vehicle (Explorer) I had a Thule rack with saddles and roller coasters to carry two kayaks. The roller coasters were great because I could put the bow of the kayak on the rollers and then just lift the stern and roll the boat onto the rack. That's not going to work with the 4Runner because the rear rack cross member is too far forward and a rear spoiler interferes with the rollers. Anyway, I like the look of the 4runner factory rack and would hate to have to replace it with the Thule bars. It is strong enough to carry the two kayaks with no problem. I was thinking that maybe I could rest the bow in the "V" created by the open front door and the body and then lift the stern but that doesn't look like it will work either. So, how do people get their kayaks up on their SUVs? Just lifiting it up on the rack from the side is not an option. Any ideas? First suggestion, remove the spoiler...it doesn't really do anything anyway unless you're at high speed (100 mph) in a sports car. Second, consider using one of the foam pool noodles wrapped around a broom stick as a roller. Just slap that on the roof behind the rear crossbar rest the bow of the boat on it and roll it forward. When the bow reaches the rear crossbar, you can just slide it the rest of the way. Pad the crossbar with a similar foam pad and push the boat across it to the front crossbar. Take the pool noodle off when you aren't actually using it as a roller and store it in the back or under the seats or something. bkr |
Kayaks on a Toyota 4Runner Roof rack
"bkr" wrote in message ... George Pagliarulo wrote: First suggestion, remove the spoiler...it doesn't really do anything anyway unless you're at high speed (100 mph) in a sports car. Actually, what toyota calls a spoiler is actually a wind delefctor, and on wagons and utility vehicles they're quite useful for deflecting air over the near vertical rear window/hatch to keep junk from accumulating. Second, consider using one of the foam pool noodles wrapped around a broom stick as a roller. Just slap that on the roof behind the rear crossbar rest the bow of the boat on it and roll it forward. When the bow reaches the rear crossbar, you can just slide it the rest of the way. Pad the crossbar with a similar foam pad and push the boat across it to the front crossbar. Take the pool noodle off when you aren't actually using it as a roller and store it in the back or under the seats or something. bkr As far as loading a kayak, I use the flip and press method. Works on my Jeep Cherokee and previously on my Durango. If this isn't an option, you're limited to the one end at a time method. Check with Thule to see if you can get brackets mount your current carriers to the factory rack. Or discuss with Toyota some other options. J |
Kayaks on a Toyota 4Runner Roof rack
The "noodle" idea is GREAT. I was wanting a way to "cushion" the top of the
Suburban while loading our Perception Sundance II tandem onto the Thule racks. We can get it on top easy enough, BUT the insurance would be WELL worth the purchase of a noodle or two! Thanks! "bkr" wrote in message ... George Pagliarulo wrote: It's freezing here in NH and I'm looking towards Spring. I need some suggestions for getting a couple of kayaks on the roofrack of my '04 4Runner. On my old vehicle (Explorer) I had a Thule rack with saddles and roller coasters to carry two kayaks. The roller coasters were great because I could put the bow of the kayak on the rollers and then just lift the stern and roll the boat onto the rack. That's not going to work with the 4Runner because the rear rack cross member is too far forward and a rear spoiler interferes with the rollers. Anyway, I like the look of the 4runner factory rack and would hate to have to replace it with the Thule bars. It is strong enough to carry the two kayaks with no problem. I was thinking that maybe I could rest the bow in the "V" created by the open front door and the body and then lift the stern but that doesn't look like it will work either. So, how do people get their kayaks up on their SUVs? Just lifiting it up on the rack from the side is not an option. Any ideas? First suggestion, remove the spoiler...it doesn't really do anything anyway unless you're at high speed (100 mph) in a sports car. Second, consider using one of the foam pool noodles wrapped around a broom stick as a roller. Just slap that on the roof behind the rear crossbar rest the bow of the boat on it and roll it forward. When the bow reaches the rear crossbar, you can just slide it the rest of the way. Pad the crossbar with a similar foam pad and push the boat across it to the front crossbar. Take the pool noodle off when you aren't actually using it as a roller and store it in the back or under the seats or something. bkr |
Kayaks on a Toyota 4Runner Roof rack
There is a guy over here in the UK who makes fold down racks. You pull
the rack over to the side of your car, 4X4, SUV, or what ever and load your boats onto the rack (with an upright at the bottom) then lift and roll the rack into the horizontal position. Look great and works a treat but I will keep on just walking all over my Ford Transit roof In message , Kevin writes The "noodle" idea is GREAT. I was wanting a way to "cushion" the top of the Suburban while loading our Perception Sundance II tandem onto the Thule racks. We can get it on top easy enough, BUT the insurance would be WELL worth the purchase of a noodle or two! Thanks! "bkr" wrote in message ... George Pagliarulo wrote: It's freezing here in NH and I'm looking towards Spring. I need some suggestions for getting a couple of kayaks on the roofrack of my '04 4Runner. On my old vehicle (Explorer) I had a Thule rack with saddles and roller coasters to carry two kayaks. The roller coasters were great because I could put the bow of the kayak on the rollers and then just lift the stern and roll the boat onto the rack. That's not going to work with the 4Runner because the rear rack cross member is too far forward and a rear spoiler interferes with the rollers. Anyway, I like the look of the 4runner factory rack and would hate to have to replace it with the Thule bars. It is strong enough to carry the two kayaks with no problem. I was thinking that maybe I could rest the bow in the "V" created by the open front door and the body and then lift the stern but that doesn't look like it will work either. So, how do people get their kayaks up on their SUVs? Just lifiting it up on the rack from the side is not an option. Any ideas? First suggestion, remove the spoiler...it doesn't really do anything anyway unless you're at high speed (100 mph) in a sports car. Second, consider using one of the foam pool noodles wrapped around a broom stick as a roller. Just slap that on the roof behind the rear crossbar rest the bow of the boat on it and roll it forward. When the bow reaches the rear crossbar, you can just slide it the rest of the way. Pad the crossbar with a similar foam pad and push the boat across it to the front crossbar. Take the pool noodle off when you aren't actually using it as a roller and store it in the back or under the seats or something. bkr -- Dave Manby Details of the Coruh river and my book "Many Rivers To Run" at http://www.dmanby.demon.co.uk |
Kayaks on a Toyota 4Runner Roof rack
Josh wrote:
Actually, what toyota calls a spoiler is actually a wind delefctor, and on wagons and utility vehicles they're quite useful for deflecting air over the near vertical rear window/hatch to keep junk from accumulating. Good to know this. I hadn't ever considered it from that perspective. Guess I should be more open minded. bkr |
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