texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,579
TexDawg 119,518
Bigbob_FTW 94,889
John175☮ 85,892
Pilothawk 83,260
Bob Davis 81,483
Mark Perry 72,289
Derek 🐝 68,312
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,835
Posts13,935,321
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Transporting Kayak on SUV #11049246 08/18/15 06:23 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
R
randomraiderttu Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
R
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
Hey guys, new Kayaker here...or soon to be. Bought an Ascend FS128T and am just waiting on getting the paddle and PFD and everything to tackle the maiden voyage. Got it home in friend's truck.

With that said, I'm having some trouble feeling comfortable transporting my kayak on my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I ordered some crossbars for my roof rails and have them installed. I've got two tow hooks on the front of the vehicle that I can tie the bow to in addition to strapping it down on the crossbars. My problem is that I don't have any place on the rear of the vehicle to run a line down and anchor the stern. I don't have a hitch..it's all just glorified plastic back there. For those of you that are putting your kayak on racks, do you always anchor both front and back or is it just added protection? The bow rope should prevent the kayak from slipping backwards. The only thing I can think of to anchor it from slipping forward is to maybe put a rope through one of the scuppers and attach it to the roof crossbar. I'm a little worried about putting that added pressure on it but that is my only option at this point.

Really just looking for advice from this community as I'm sure there are those that have been down this avenue before. If I go with a J rack setup, does it still require anchoring bow/stern?

Any info is appreciated. Looking forward to joining the kayak navy.

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11049278 08/18/15 06:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,269
J
jasoniam Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
J
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,269
when i had my suv i just tied down both ends of the rails and it held fine long distances worked fine as well!!!


[Linked Image]
Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11049474 08/18/15 07:51 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14,444
M
Mark Ray Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
M
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14,444
I would bow and stern anchor no matter what I used to haul it. Unless of course when I put it inside my yukon like I used to do for bass tourneys. Just layed all the seats down and the front passenger all the way back and ran that big old fish n dive from the front window to the back.

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11049840 08/18/15 10:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218
Jimbo Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218
I've got an older model 98 Grand Cherokee and I use the factory roof racks.
I padded the bars and just lay the straps over the kayak and around the rack bar and cinch it down. I also tie the bow with a strap attached under the front bumper. I have a hitch so the rear is no problem.
Short distances I don't put the rear strap on.
I've never had any problems even after traveling at highway speeds with the kayak becoming loose.
After lashing down the kayak and if you are still queezy about carrying the kayak on the roof open both rear doors and run a strap all the way around the kayak and through the open doors and cinch it down, then close the doors. The kayak isn't going to go anywhere!

Last edited by Jimbo; 08/18/15 10:30 PM.

Just one more cast!

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11050752 08/19/15 01:57 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
B
bert Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
B
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
See if you have access to hook it on the frame in the rear, look at some videos for installing drop hitches and they might show some openings in the frame you can hook to.


Bert

"Ipsa scientia potestas est"-Knowledge in itself is power - Sir Francis Bacon

"Beware the lolipop of mediocrity, one lick and you could suck forever" - unknown author
Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11050755 08/19/15 02:00 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
B
bert Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
B
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
FYI, I used to put mine on top of my FJCruiser if the cross bars spread enough to get 1/3 the length of the kayak inside the straps I did not use nose/tail unless I was going on the highway for a long distance.


Bert

"Ipsa scientia potestas est"-Knowledge in itself is power - Sir Francis Bacon

"Beware the lolipop of mediocrity, one lick and you could suck forever" - unknown author
Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11050758 08/19/15 02:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
R
randomraiderttu Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
R
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
Thanks for the replies guys. I've looked under the rear of the vehicle and there just isn't anything to hook onto. I'm slowly coming to the realization that I'm about to add a drop hitch to the Jeep. It's $115 I didn't intend to spend, but what good is a kayak if you can't transport it safely to the lake/river? smile

Of course, as I start thinking about adding a hitch...I start thinking about "how much would a trailer run me?"....I get the sensation that I'm on a slope of some kind...and it is awfully slippery smile

I opted for the FS128T...and that thing isn't light by any stretch, so loading/unloading is likely to become a chore in and of itself.

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11051002 08/19/15 04:04 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14,444
M
Mark Ray Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
M
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14,444
I got a sweet little 2 kayak trailer for sale. But I warn you, if you get that you will be wanting to buy another kayak before you know it...

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11051048 08/19/15 04:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218
Jimbo Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218
A Hobie Pro Angler would fit nicely on that trailer that could go behind that new hitch!


Just one more cast!

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11051177 08/19/15 05:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 349
Capt Jerry Offline
Angler
Offline
Angler
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 349
I use the Yamika Evenkeel saddles on my crossbars on my 4Runner. https://www.yakima.com/evenkeel

I then use two straps around the kayak, and a rope on the front and on the tail (but I do not think the tail rope is needed, I just do it for insurance). The straps keep it very secure! I highly recommend the Yakima saddles.

Now, if I could just figure a way to get the heavy kayak up on the roof more easily (I am getting too old)!!


________________________________________

I fish because the voices in my head tell me to.
Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: Capt Jerry] #11051372 08/19/15 06:29 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 303
J
J Barlow Offline
Angler
Offline
Angler
J
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 303
Here you go.

Last edited by J Barlow; 08/19/15 06:29 PM.
Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: J Barlow] #11051547 08/19/15 07:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
B
bert Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
B
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
Originally Posted by J Barlow
Here you go.


My wife has one on top of her Sequoia and loads her 15 1/2 foot Zephyr by herself with no problem.


Bert

"Ipsa scientia potestas est"-Knowledge in itself is power - Sir Francis Bacon

"Beware the lolipop of mediocrity, one lick and you could suck forever" - unknown author
Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11051739 08/19/15 08:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,626
JJ4MEL Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,626
I drive a Ford Explorer and have been transporting kayaks on the roof racks for 10 years with no problems. I normally will buy a large pool noodle and cut it in half and put the kayak on top with no bow or stern anchoring. However, now my 12 year old daughter has a kayak and transporting 2 kayaks on the SUV is impossible without buying expensive saddles. So I too am in the market for a small converted Harbor Freight type of trailer. Many times you can find those cheaper than Yakima roof racks, etc.

Plus after an all day paddle, the last thing I want to do is lift the kayak by myself on to the roof.

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11051935 08/19/15 10:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
R
randomraiderttu Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
R
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
That Thule assist carrier looks pretty awesome. However, I bought OEM racks for my Jeep, so i'd be back to square one with that. My dad is getting a kayak too and we're wanting to head to to Lower Mountain Fork for some trout fishing...so really, getting a trailer is probably something that was in the long term anyway. The harbor freight trailers look pretty enticing. My dad is a welder, so buying it and augmenting it to fit our needs is well within the cards. For now, I'm thinking...buy a hitch...get some pool noodles, put it on the racks, anchor it front and back and save up a little to ultimately get the trailer set up to make this easier.

Again, that FS128T is just under 100 pounds. Probably after a few trips of loading this on the roof of my Jeep...I imagine the cost/benefit for that trailer is going to tilt significantly into the "buy" spectrum.

Re: Transporting Kayak on SUV [Re: randomraiderttu] #11051988 08/19/15 10:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218
Jimbo Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,218
Originally Posted By: randomraiderttu


Again, that FS128T is just under 100 pounds. Probably after a few trips of loading this on the roof of my Jeep...I imagine the cost/benefit for that trailer is going to tilt significantly into the "buy" spectrum.


That causes my back to hurt just reading that! OMG


Just one more cast!

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3