Kayak Rack Options

Hi Tundra family!

I have a 2020 TRD PRO crewmax and I recently bought a 10’ & 12’ kayak. I’ve looked at the Thule xsporter pro rack but what do you use for yours? What do you recommend?

When I only had my 12’ kayak I could roll down my back window and it worked great. ** see picture **

Thanks! ✌

https://youtu.be/UURqTxqsWdo

 

I have the tracrac bars and then out fork mounts in the bed track system. I strap two kayaks up on the trac tac and can fit four bikes in the fork mounts of the bed.

 

Do you have a photo Shawn and/or a link to look online? I can google of course.

 

https://www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/truck-and-van-racks/thule-tracrac-tracone-_-27000xt

I will get photos tomorrow with everything packed up when we leave the campsite

 

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out when they expect to get more in around Sept 1st.

 

I have Yakima Overhaul HD on mine. It's a little pricey, but I love the looks of it. I've mostly always used Yakima products in the past. It is adjustable and can pair/compatible with Retrax tonneau cover if I decide to get one in the future. I've lowered the bars as low as I could for ease of loading. One of my kayaks weighs 85lbs.

 

I went Thule roof rack and Portage/Canoe holder, as we tow a trailer and I didn't want it sitting too far back towards the trailer and interfering with turns or too far over the cab without support.

Side to side straps, then front to tow hooks and back to anchor points on bed rail system.

 

Wow that's a great setup! This was super helpful, thank you!

 

Great setup as well.... you guys rock!

 

@shawn474 I was going to comment on your kayaks not been strapped in, then I saw your trailer

Is that an R-Vision Trail Cruiser? Your canvas looks exactly like ours.

Spoiler

 

I let them ride lol. Seriously though I do need something as well but I need a trailer.

 

they strap to the top ring down to the D ring in the bed. I just loaded them up and hadn’t cinched them down yet. Never had an issue and went in at least two dozen trips with them.

it’s a 2012 Jayco jay feather 23b

 

I don’t mean to hijack your thread, but..



I saw in another post you said you painted your taillights, do you have any details about that? They look great, and I’ve wanted to darken my taillights without buying aftermarket ones.

 

With these racks, basically just lay it down on an angle and lift the front side and rest/lay on the back bar. Then go to the rear of the kayak and lift while pushing. The rudder configuration on the 2020 hobie outback makes it tricky to load. They do have a rudder protector attachment though. Not so bad on the Revo 16, but the higher you lift the front, the more the rudder assembly will hit the ground. I ordered a Rhino T-loader that will help loading from the rear (attaches to hitch), but it was backordered. I used to manhandle my kayaks and lift from the ground to my roofracks and vice versa, but those days are gone. Nowadays, I need to work smart, not hard.

 

I've used TracRac before but the crossbars were not wide enough for my kayaks. I'm currently using some unistruts mounted on the voodoo rack.

 

You might find some other useful info in this thread. https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-do-you-carry-your-kayaks.49803/ Does anyone know if it is possible to merge threads, as these two are basically the same thing?

Edit: Meant to tag the Mods @daria @MTgirl @ColoradoTJ @T-Rex266 @csuviper @jberry813 @JimBeam

 

Be careful with any Yakima products! Their load ratings include their own hardware!

I had a Retrax cover and bought the Yakima Overhaul system and by the time everything was put together, the actual load carrying capability was so little for offroad use, much less than 100 lbs, that it wasn't practical.

I ended up returning the Yakima stuff, selling my Retrax cover, and buying a Leitner ACS Forged Rack. Super happy with Leitner's product.

 

Thanks for the info. How did you find the end result payload capacity (after combined with retrax)? I know it says 300lbs if offroading and 500lbs onroad (Just with the Yakima racks). I dont do any offroading anyways, so it should work for me. I'm still debating about the retrax or I would've bought it right away. I know it takes a good amount of space in the bed.

 

After discovering the load reduction with the Tonneau Kit I started digging through all the Yakima documentation and had a lengthy back and forth with their support rep. Their support rep was very dodgy at first but finally confirmed that their equipment was a part of the system load, even the Tonneau Kit and Base Bars themselves. I can forward you the email chain if you want, just message me your address.

I was extremely disappointed and frustrated in the end. I really wanted the overall setup to work since I liked the security of the Retrax but if I added a basket to the kit, for large items, I was limited to 45lbs of actual cargo since everything else from Yakima was so heavy.

 

Oh wow, that sucks. I guess no go on the Retrax then. I know a buddy of mine uses that Overhaul/Retrax combo on his Tacoma and been hauling kayaks on it. Just PMd you. Thanks.

 

Just forwarded you the email chain with the Yakima Support Rep.

Just for clarification, when you add the Tonneau Kit to the Overhaul HD that reduces the system capacity to 300lbs on road and 180lbs off road. The rack itself weighs 65lbs so you're at a cargo limit of 235lbs on road and 115lbs off road. That's not including any other accessories, baskets, or tie downs. Their marketing is super misleading.

 

This is my ideal setup as I have Extang Solidfold 2.0 and want to bring bikes/kayak whiling towing a travel trailer..

 

Sorry to derail but where did you get the PFD's zipped to you rack? I have worn similar for years but can't find a replacement for my old Extrasports.

 

Dafuq?

 

Just picked up a 13' Hobie mirage with pedal drive. I just ordered some Inno cross bars with locking towards for the cab of my crewmax. Debating getting another pair of cross bars drilled into my shell, so spread the weight, and be able to hold two up there. Just picked up some Dakine roof rack pads, on CL brand new for $20. I'll use cam straps to hold it down to the bars. This is just a pic of it being transported home. Inno bars should be here Sat.

 

No worries man; those are actually from LL bean. They’re about 22 years old - wife and I bought the kayaks and life vests as a Wedding present for ourselves on August 8, 1998. I don’t know what’s better - the fact that we are still together or the fact that we still fit in them!!!!

 

I bought a ladder rack off Amazon that sits on top of my bed and clamps to the sides of it. Very cheap setup and works very well!