Q: I’m wondering does anyone (either Thule or Yakima or whoever) sell a carrier that supports surfboard/kayak/bike all-in-one?   I’m going to be buying a new SUV soon and wanted to find out this info first and would rather just get it all-in-one.   If not, what’s the best product for just surfboard/kayak?

A: The INA-444 is a great carrier for kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or surfboards.  It works very well with plastic recreational boats, but probably isn’t the best choice for Kevlar or fiberglass touring kayaks. 

And with a base rack system by Thule, Yakima or Inno, you could simultaneously use both the surf/kayak carrier and any of a number of bike carriers offered on our site. With wide enough crossbars, it will likely be possible to carry two bikes alongside your watersports carrier.

Q:  We have a Honda CRV 2011 with factory installed roof rack.  We would like to get a J style kayak rack for two sea kayaks.  Yakima has always worked well for us — we have also had some Thule products.  We like the Yakima Bow Down Kayak Rack (and it folds) but wonder if it will work on our CRV racks.  Before ordering, I’d like some confirmation that they will work.

Also, what is your experience with Rack and Roll trailer for kayaks — we’ve heard mixed reviews.

A: I confirmed, through the Yakima fit guide, that the Yakima Bow Down will fit on your 2011 Honda CRV with factory rack and cross bars. The only thing you will want to double check whenever you are using factory cross bars as a base set up is the maximum load for the bars. Besides the weight of the kayaks, the Bow Downs weigh 15 lbs each.

If you like the Yakima then stick with that. There are other similar options from Thule (Hull-a-Port Pro) and Malone (DownLoader) with similar features and pricing. You can learn more by using the links.

And lastly, yes, we have had excellent experience and feedback with the Rack and Roll Trailers. One thing to consider whether you plan on using the trailer at higher speeds on the highway and/or for long distance trips. If this is the case then you would want to go with the Rack and Roll Trailer with 72” bars as it will be more stable.

Picture of the all-new INA446 Inno SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker for use as a stand-up paddleboard rack, kayak rack, canoe rack and more. Universally fits factory roof rack crossbars as well as base rack systems from Inno, Yakima, Whispbar, Thule and more.

Image of the INA445 Inno SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker - an economical version of the INA446 and does not include the car rack cross bar pads.

Now available from Inno Racks dealers in the United States and Canada are the new, improved versions of the famously popular Inno INA444 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker – the Inno Racks INA446 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker and the Inno INA445 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker – both feature innovative updates that allow for even more factory roof rack cross bar fits, more robust theft prevention and better protection and stability of equipment during transport. Instead of a pair of foam blocks (included with the INA444), the INA446 version now includes a pair of crossbar pads that deliver superior ease of loading and unloading and wear-restistance that’ll last a lifetime. The INA445 version does not include rack pads and is targeted as a more value priced option for users that do not need rack pads for added equipment protection, ease of loading / unloading or increased prevention of lateral shifting of gear during transport (also a great option for users that already own a pair of car rack cross bar pads or foam blocks). Both models feature redesigned locking rack straps that deliver increased protection from theft of gear or the rack itself when left unattended. They also feature universal clamp hardware that fits even more factory racks as well as any after-market base rack system crossbars from Inno Racks, Yakima Racks, Whispbar Racks, Thule Racks and more. The Inno INA446 Locker and Inno INA445 Locker are the most versatile watersport carriers available on the market today and work equally well for hauling any canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard ( SUP ), surfboard (both short and long boards), windsurfer, wakeboard etc. Works great as a ladder rack as well. The integrated ratcheting mechanism makes it an effortless process to tighten the straps around the gear, and the included Inno locks and keys ensure everything is safe and secure from anyone stealing your gear or the rack itself. They both also adjust to any width along the cross bars to custom fit the item(s) you are carrying.

Image of a (hidden) 2009 Subaru Legacy kayak trailer for 2" receiver hitch using the fantastic Malone MPG460G Microsport trailer with two Malone MPG106MD AutoLoader kayak racks.

You’ll just have to take our word that this is a 2009 Subaru Legacy kayak trailer for two kayaks.  Have we ever lied to you? Of course not.  Regardless, what is certain, is that it is carrying a very, very nice kayak using the Malone MPG106MD AutoLoader kayak carriers mounted to the crossbars of the Malone MPG406G Microsport kayak trailer.  But it could be any vehicle as long as that vehicle has a 2″ receiver hitch and it could be set up to carry a canoe, bicycles, a cargo box etc.  The bottom line is that the Malone Microsport trailer is a great solution for carring gear and loading and unloading, especially when it comes to kayaks, is much easier than on a roof top. 

More info and installation details for 2009 Subaru Legacy kayak trailer.

Great shot of a Subaru Outback double kayak racks with lift assist using the Yakima ShowBoat Kayak-Canoe lift assist roller and the Yakima BowDown folding kayak carrier and the Thule 883 Glide and Set kayak saddles.

This is an excellent application of kayak racks with lift assist on factory crossbars.  This 2010 Subaru Outback factory mounted kayak rack system is using the Yakima ShowBoat extending roller lift assist system for kayaks and canoes.  Along with the Yakima Showboat lift assist roller, there are two kayak carriers mounted to the Subaru Outback factory crossbars.  They are the Yakima BowDown folding J-cradle kayak rack and the Thule 883 Glide and Set kayak saddles.  If you’re wondering if two kayaks can be carried on your factory crossbars, here is your answer.  And with a great lift assist system as well! 

Complete details for 2010 Subaru Outback factory mounted kayak rack system for two kayaks.

Q: I am wanting to get a roof rack for my 2010 Toyota Highlander. I will be using it primarily to carry a canoe.
I understand that a Thule 450 Crossroad Railing Foot Rack with a 579XT Canoe Carrier will work, but wondered if there was a similar solution available for the Thule 450R Crossroad Railing Foot Rack. I like the rounder load bars.

A: You could use the 450 Rapid Complete System instead, but this system requires the RB53 (53”) bars and you cannot use a longer bar with the rapid system, so you’d want to measure the width of your canoe to be sure the boat isn’t too wide for the bars, and that you still have enough space on either side to strap the boat down on the bars. The 579xt canoe carrier would not work with the rapid bars, but you could use the Malone BigFoot canoe carrier instead, which is compatible.

Photo of the Thule 803 Surf Pads and Thule 804 Surf Pads, designed specifically for use on factory racks, Thule Rapid Aero load bars, Thule 422XT Xsporter truck rack bars etc. Ideal cor carrying SUP's, surfboards, windsurf boards etc.

Picture of the Thule 801 Surf Pads and Thule 802 Surf Pads, Thule Racks new rack pads designed for carrying surfboards, sailboards, stand-up paddleboards and other gear on Thule square load bars, Yakima round cross bars etc.

Thule Racks has gone back to the drawing board and completely redesigned and released a new series of roof rack pads for carrying stand-up paddleboards, windsurfers, surfboards, canoe, kayak and more. The rack pads are available in two different styles, the Thule 801 Surf Pads / Thule 802 Surf Pads and the Thule 803 Surf Pads / Thule 804 Surf Pads. The 801 (18 inches in length) and 802 (24 inches in length) are designed to mount to the standard Thule rack square load bars, Yakima round cross bars, Inno cross bars etc. The 803 (18 inches in length) and 804 (24 inches in length) are meant for using on factory racks, Thule Rapid Aero bars, Thule 422XT Xsporter truck rack crossbars and other ‘aero’ shaped cross bars. Using the surf pads in combination with a pair of rack straps or the Thule 531 Express surf straps is a solid, economical way to carry standup paddle boards, surfboards, windsurfers, kayak, canoe etc.

Stellar shot of a 2010 VW Jetta TDI SportWagon Boat Trailer and Luggage Rack using the Yakima Rack and Roll 66 Trailer with the Yakima Mako Kayak Saddles and the Yakima Rocket Box 16 Gear carrier.

Here is an awesome example of safe, modern and convenient gear transport for a sedan, wagon, SUV, truck, van, or just about any  vehicle with a class I, II, or III trailer hitch.  This 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI kayak/canoe trailer and cargo box is starring the Yakima RACKandROll 66 Trailer with 66″ crossbars decked out with the Yakima Mako Kayak saddles and the Yakima RocketBox 16 cargo carrier for all the gear.  Simply unhitch the Yakima boat trailer when you’re not heading for the water, and you’ve got the perfect storage for your boats, or in this case, pontoon boat.

See complete details and more photos for 2010 VW Jetta Wagon Fishing Pontoon Boat Trailer and Storage Box.

Picture of the premium MPG501 Malone HandiKart with its patented Camba Technology hemi-spherical wheel system and inclined axles. Supports up to 200 lbs. All-terrain transport.

Picture of the deluxe MPG502 Malone Clipper with 10" inflatable tires, adjustable foam padding and 2-point kick stand. Supports up to 200 lbs. All-terrain transport.

Photo of the standard MPG503 Malone Nomad with 10" inflatable tires,foam padding and built-in kick stand. Supports up to 150 lbs. All-terrain transport.

Now available from Malone Auto Racks are a complete line of canoe carts and kayak carts for easily moving boats around on the ground when getting the canoe or kayak to and from the boat launch or storing the boat away when you’ve taken it off the roof rack. All models support plenty of boat weight and feature all terrain maneuverability. The top of the line Malone MPG501 HandiKart is a truly unique product that delivers unrivaled canoe cart and kayak cart features. With patented Camba Technology hemi-spherical wheel system and inclined axles, the HandiKart combines top notch design styling with best in class easy boat loading and transport over sand, rocky terrain and more. Holds up to 200 lbs. Two more classic center style canoe trolley-kayak trolley products are also offered from Malone Racks.  The deluxe model Malone MPG502 Clipper has a 2-point kick stand for total stability when loading and unloading the canoe or kayak. Adjustable foam padding as well. Holds up to 200 lbs. The standard model Malone MPG503 Nomad offers many of the same features as the Clipper and can cary up to 150 lbs. Both the Clipper and the Nomad have 10 inch inflatable knobby tires for all-terrain access when rolling your canoe or kayak to and from the water.

view all Malone kayak carts and canoe carts

Nice install pic of a 2003 Toyota RAV4 canoe rack system using the Yakima Q-Tower complete base rack with Q99 Q-Clips and 58" roundbars and the Yakima Gunwale brackets canoe carrier.

This 2003 Toyota RAV4 Canoe Rack system is using the Yakima Q-Tower complete base rack system with Yakima Q99 Q-Clips, Yakima 58″ roundbars, and Yakima SKS4 Lockpack, and the Yakima Gunwale brackets canoe rack.  The Yakima Gunwale brackets come with loadstraps and tie downs. 

More info and photos for 2003 Toyota RAV4 Canoe Rack system.