ok, i bought the two foam pieces and the straps to go on the roof of of my truck to hold my yak, problem is, the straps are strippin the paint, i would like some of those J hook yak carriers but… my truck doesnt have parrellel bars, here is a pic of the truck with the stock bars, anyone know where i can get the bars that go across? i am driving cross country in july and if i dont get the rack ill have to send it with the rest of my personal belongings which means i wont be able to fish in every state on the way back, please help!!
http://autoimage.autoweb.cz/mitsubishi/Mitsubishi_Outlander_2004_007.jpg
The Thule 450 Crossroad foot pack will wrap around your parallel (sp?) bars and allow you to attach any length thule crossbars. Thule says to use the 50 inch bars, but if you want to carry more than one boat, go with the 58 inch bars. Total cost for the feet and the bars should be around $200, which includes a life time warranty as well.
Call me at the store if you are interested in this or want to pick my brain about racks, 388-6266. Like I said in the other post about racks, buy it from us, and we will install it for you.
DD
Mornin’;
…the cheap fix is 02 Extra Large Pool Noodles. Run a short length of rope through the center of the noodle, and secure each end to the left & right front rack and repeat for the rear rack. Then lay your yak on the roof. Run straps under your racks and up over the top of the Yak and cinch down. Then tie off the bow and stern. …or just run your straps through the Noodles. The extra Large noodles give you plenty of clearance (for $4-$8 for the noodles it’s worth a try) As long as your yak isn’t too heavy you should be fine. That’s how I transport my 17’ 68# yak on my Astro van.
Well, those foam blocks with straps are actually a very secure way to transport a kayak, even for long distances. They just take a few minutes longer to mount your boat on the car.
Couple of thoughts… have you tried attaching the across the boat straps to your bars that run front to back on your vehicle rather than thru the car doors? I’m not sure if that will give you enough tension to hold your kayak securely, but it’s worth a try and the straps won’t be touching the paint.
or… you can continue running the straps through the doors and just put a piece of sacrificial foam or carpet or bathtowel underneath where the straps contact the vehicle.
Another trick I learned for the long trips is to add one twist to the straps on either side of the kayak and that helps prevent that annoying “strap flutter” you get when going high speeds.
I almost always have small pieces of scrap foam here at the store if you want to stop by and I can give you a few small bits for you to try before your trip. (no charge… i keep the foam that my fiberglass boats come wrapped in for customer’s use if needed.)
Mike
East of Maui Kayaks
James Island
the paint is wearing off on the front and rear bumpers, i was thinkin of maybe running a 5"-6" noodle so it wont rub, i tried runnin the across the boat straps to the bars before, not enough tension, i need the bars that go across so i can get some j hook racks, thanks for all the ideas and info, think im gonna try the noodle idea this weekend
bring em in
Sure thing… the noodle idea sounds good. The cross bars and j-racks aren’t going to do any good for your initial problem though… you still need to have front and back tiedown straps and that will still wear on your bumpers. Save the bucks and stick with the foam racks and use the noodles.