by Rack James on June 15, 2010
Side view of a 2010 Subaru Forester hauling two kayaks using the Thule 450 Crossroads feet with a pair of Thule 50" Crossbars and two set of the Malone SeaWing kayak saddles tied down with included load straps and tie downs.
Do you have two 14′ kayaks and a 250 mile drive to the water? This rack master does. Using the Thule 450 Crossroad roof rack system (includes Thule 450 Crossroads foot pack and pair of 50″ Load bars) for use with factory side rails, this 2010 Subaru Forester roof rack kayak carrier set up can easily carry two large boats side by side with room to spare. The kayak saddles chosen for this adventure are the Malone SeaWing kayak saddles which use universal mounting hardware to attach to Thule loadbars (as shown here), Inno, and Yakima crossbars as well as virtually all factory crossbars. These boats aren’t going to budge during the trip thanks to well done strapping down with the included load straps and bow/stern tie downs. For easier loading and unloading of the kayaks, the Malone Seawing kayak carrier can be combined with the Malone Stinger Lift Assist, which uses a sliding V-shaped cradle that extends backwards from the SeaWing saddle, providing a lower and further back loading point that will guide the boat forward into the saddles as you are lifting and pushing.
Complete 2010 Subaru Forester kayak roof rack install details page
Tagged as:
kayak rack,
Malone Seawing,
Subaru Forester,
Thule 450 Crossroad
by Rack James on June 10, 2010
Install photo of a 2005 Toyota Corolla kayak rack using the Yakima Q-Tower Base Rack (Yakima Q-Towers, Yakima Q31 and Q99 Q-Clips, and Yakima 48" round bars) with Yakima 44" wind fairing and Yakima Hullraiser J-style kayak rack.
Ok all you sit-on-top kayak paddlers, here’s a great way to carry your boat. There are of course, many other options, but this 2005 Toyota Corolla roof rack kayak carrier system is using the Yakima Q-Tower roof rack (includes set of Yakima Q Towers, pair of Yakima Q31 clips and pair of Yakima Q99 clips and also a pair of cross bars) as its base rack which is the foundation of a rooftop kayak rack for a naked roof. It is decked out with a Yakima 44″ wind fairing, or wind deflector, or “flair” as one person calls it, and a set of Yakima SKS 4 locks to prevent theft. Holding the sit-on-top kayak is the Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack. This person knows how to roll, but I’m not sure how I feel about the unorthodox method used for strapping the boat down. I might suggest using the included Yakima Heavy Duty Load Straps for the body of the kayak and the included Yakima Ratcheting Bow and Stern Tie Down Straps for the bow and stern. If this is how you plan of strapping your boat down, then I would say drive really, really slow.
Complete details for this 2005 Toyota Corolla 4-Door Sedan kayak roof rack install.
Tagged as:
kayak rack,
roof rack,
Toyota Corolla,
Yakima Hullraiser,
Yakima Q Clips,
Yakima Q Towers
by rackdawg on May 20, 2010
Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack
This ORS Racks Direct demonstration video spotlights the 8004039 Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack. An instant classic, the Yakima Hull Raiser is responsible for the j-cradle style kayak carrier revolution. Perfectly contoured j-cradles make it easy to load any style of kayak and the well padded cradles snugly protect and stabilize the boat during transport. Fits both Yakima round bars and Inno & Thule square bars. Also compatible with Yakima Universal MightyMounts clamps for attaching to factory racks (or you can use the Yakima HullRaiser Aero kayak rack, which includes factory rack adapters). Includes rack straps and bow & stern tie-downs.
Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack video
Tagged as:
kayak rack,
Yakima Hullraiser
by Rack James on May 19, 2010
Stellar shot of a 2009 Nissan Cube roof kayak rack system using the Yakima Q-Tower Base Rack System (Yakima Q Towers, Q31 Clips, and 78" Roundbars) with four Malone AutoLoader kayak racks.
Here’s a great example of how a roof mounted base rack system can haul a serious–heck, seemingly impossible–amount of gear. This 2009 Nissan Cube comes out of the factory with what we call a “naked roof” so the first order of business for this customer was installing the Yakima Q Tower system, which constists of a set of Yakima Q Towers, two pairs of #31 Yakima Q Clips, and a pair of Yakima Roundbars. The Cube calls for 58″ bars, but because this customer needed maximum gear capacity, he went with a pair of 78″ bars upon which he has installed four Malone AutoLoader J-style kayak cradles. To complete the system, as well as reduce the wind noise, he has installed a Yakima 50″ Fairing and the whole thing is locked down with a set of Yakima SKS 4 locks.
2009 Nissan Cube roof rack kayak carriers install details
Tagged as:
kayak rack,
Malone Autoloader,
Nissan Cube,
Yakima Q Clips,
Yakima Q Towers
by rackdawg on May 11, 2010
Image of a 2010 Subaru Outback wagon roof rack kayak rack setup using the Thule 450 Crossroad car rack multi-purpose base rack system attached to the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack side rails. The Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack is attached to the 450 Crossroad base rack cross rails.
There has been much discussion on the internet regarding the new 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack and its incompatibility with after-market multi-purpose base rack systems. As the picture above shows, however, there is no problem with mounting an aftermarket roof rack system to the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack side rails. Furthermore, you can carry long items such as kayaks too. The picture above features a 2010 Subaru Outback kayak roof rack system using the Thule 450 Crossroad car rack mounted to the 2010 Subaru Outback factory rack side rails. The Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack is then connected to the 450 Crossroad load bars. For more details on the extensive testing Thule Racks has done with the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon roof rack check out this discussion of the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack. And don’t forget you can easily mount many gear carriers directly to the factory rack cross bars too.
2010 Subaru Outback wagon roof rack kayak carrier install details
Tagged as:
2010 Subaru Outback,
kayak rack,
Thule 450 Crossroad,
Thule 897XT Hullavator
by rackdawg on February 9, 2010
Image shown depicts the 4053 Yakima Universal Kayak Carrier Foam Blocks, which work on all style of base roof rack system crossbars. Also available is the 8004054 Yakima Standard Kayak Foam Blocks, which work on Yakima crossbars. Both models of kayak foam blocks also work on any car with no roof rack installed on the car rooftop.
Yakima Racks has recently introduced a line of foam blocks for carrying a kayak on car roof tops. This can be a cheap alternative to other kayak rack options available. The
Yakima Universal kayak foam blocks fit all styles of roof rack crossbars including factory racks. The
Yakima Standard kayak foam blocks fit Yakima bars only. Both models also work on any car that has no type of roof rack system installed. The foam blocks can be placed directly on the car rooftop.
Tagged as:
foam blocks,
kayak rack
by rackdawg on February 4, 2010
Image of the 8004052 Yakima EvenKeel kayak rack for carrying any kayak on a car roof top. Attaches to any factory racks as well as the crossbars found on roof racks from Yakima, Thule, Inno etc.
Brand new from Yakima Racks is the
8004052 Yakima EvenKeel Kayak Rack Saddles. A very affordable solution for carrying any style of kayak - recreational / sea kayaks, SOT Sit-On-Top kayaks, whitewater kayaks, tandem kayaks etc – on your car’s rooftop. The Yakima EvenKeel mounts directly to any factory rack crossbars as well as the cross bars found on roof rack systems from Yakima, Thule, Inno and more. Includes straps and a pair of bow and stern tie-downs. No need to manually adjust the saddles to fit your kayak’s specific hull shape, simply load the boat and as you strap the kayak down, the EvenKeel saddles automatically flex (using FlexHull technology built into the saddles) and snugly fit and protect the kayak while in transit.
Tagged as:
kayak rack,
Yakima EvenKeel
by Rack James on October 15, 2009
by Rack James on October 1, 2009
by rackdawg on September 28, 2009
Picture of the Yakima BowDown kayak carrier used as a 2006 Subaru Forester kayak car rack system. The Bow Down is mounted to the Subaru Forrester factory rack crossbars.
An excellent example of how you can save some cash if you have a car factory rack and you want to carry a kayak. This customer install photograph shows how nicely a 2006 Subaru Forester kayak roof rack can look with the Yakima BowDown kayak rack attached to the Subaru Forrester factory rack crossbars. This setup also efficiently uses up very little crossbar space so there is plenty of room to attach other gear carriers (or a second Yakima BowDown) such as bike racks, snowboard-ski racks, cargo-luggage roof box etc. The Bow Down also can fold down when not being used so it looks very sleek and aerodynamic and also helps with fuel efficiency.
2006 Subaru Forester kayak rack install details
Tagged as:
kayak rack,
Subaru Forester,
Yakima BowDown
by Rack James on September 24, 2009
by Rack James on September 23, 2009
Subaru Forester Factory Side Rail Roof Rack System for carrying bikes and kayaks. Product used are Thule 450 Crossroads base sytem, Thule 516 Prologue bike rack, and Thule 830 Stacker kayak rack.
Here is a Subaru Forester car rack taking a break from a hard day’s work. Mounted onto the Subaru Forester factory side rails is the Thule 450 Crossroads system with a pair of 58″ loadbars. Mounted to the Thule 450 Crossroads system are two Thule 516 Prologue bike carriers and one Thule 830 Kayak Stacker. If my calculations are correct, this set up will carry two bicycles and two kayaks at once. If my speculations are correct, these folks know how to live it up.
Tagged as:
bike roof rack,
kayak rack,
Subaru Forester
by rackdawg on September 21, 2009
Q: I have a 2005 Subaru Forester with a factory rack and crossbars installed. I needto haul one 11 foot kayak. Recommendations?
A: You are in luck because you can save money by simply attaching a kayak rack to your factory rack crossbars. you do not have to invest in a multi-purpose base rack system to replace your factory rack. You can choose from any of these
factory rack compatible kayak racks. The two most popular categories of kayak carriers are
kayak racks that carry the kayak flat and
Tagged as:
kayak rack,
Subaru Forester
by rackdawg on September 21, 2009
Q: I have a 2005 Chevy Tahoe with factory rack side rails only, no crossbars. What do you suggest for a 2005 Chevrolet tahoe roof rack to haul two 12′ recreational kayaks?
A: The Thule 450 Crossroad, Inno INFR and Yakima RailGrab multi-purpose base rack systems will all attach directly to your 2005 Chevy Tahoe factory rack side rails, converting your factory rack side rails into a sturdy base rack system capable of safely transporting your kayaks. The 58″ cross bars are the recommended length for your 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe roof top. You will then connect the kayak carriers to the cross bars.
Thule 450 CrossRoad Roof Rack System
Inno INFR Roof Rack System
Yakima RailGrab Roof Rack System
You can then choose any Thule, Yakima and Inno Racks roof mount kayak carriers. All connect directly to the multi-purpose car rack system front and rear crossbars bars listed above.
All Kayak Racks
An excellent easy loading kayak carrier system for your needs is the Thule 884 Roll Model. Works with all types of kayaks and uses one pair of sadles on the front load bar and a combination pair of saddles and a roller on the rear load bar . This set up provides the easiest most hassle free loading and unloading system available. If transporting 2 kayaks, you will want to order 2 sets of the 884 Roll Model.
Thule 884 Roll Model
The 835PRO Hull-A-Port is a great universal kayak rack attachment that uses a j-cradle design for easy loading/unloading of your kayak. A great feature of this kayak carrier is that it allows the cradles to fold down when not in use, avoiding any clearance issues such as a garage etc.
Thule 835PRO Hull-A-Port Kayak Carrier
The Inno INA444 Kayak Rack is a superb option if interested in an integrated kayak lock system to lock the kayak to the rack.
Inno INA444 Kayak Lock Rack
Tagged as:
Chevy Tahoe,
kayak rack
by rackdawg on September 21, 2009
Using Inno Fishing Rod Racks for 9″ Fly Rods
Q: Regarding the Inno ZR352 / ZR353 fishing rod racks, how far do the forward racks extend from the back rack on these fishing rod holders? Is this compatible/do you recommend for 9 foot fly rods?
A: The forward racks are fully adjustable to accommodate whatever length fishing rods you are carrying. So the 9′ fly rods will transport well with these holders.
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Items Needed for 2010 Toyota Corolla Kayak Roof Rack to Stack Kayaks
Q: If I used the Inno INSU car rack system as a 2010 Toyota Corolla roof rack, would it be good for stacking kayaks?
A: You’re going to want to attach a kayak stacker style kayak carrier to the INSU roofrack crossbars. Several good kayak stacker options that are compatible with the IN-SU car rack cross bars are the Inno INA450, Thule 830 Stacker, Yakima BigStack and Malone Stax Pro.
Tagged as:
Fishing Rod Racks,
Inno Racks,
kayak rack,
Toyota Corolla
