Has anyone put a canoe or kayak atop the OEM roof rack? I have been looking at boat carriers. Was also looking at Thule Hullavator but it needs a bar/rail that extends outboard of the rails. Has anyone got pictures of their kayak and how they got it attached and stop such a tall vehicle? Thx
Kayak and Canoe
- Thread starter Edennis3
- Start date
I haven't done kayak yet, but for paddleboards it's not bad getting up there, although maybe it would be for someone particularly short.
I imagine you could do the same with a kayak with some crossbar padding. Canoe might be a bit more of a beast however!
I imagine you could do the same with a kayak with some crossbar padding. Canoe might be a bit more of a beast however!
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks to you both. There are two challenges: first I’m only 5’3” and the kayak weighs more than 50 lbs. no way I’m hoisting it up there even with rollers in the rear. second, the oem rack I’m waiting on appears to conceal the rails and it might be difficult to attach a tower and cross bar to mount a lift like the Thule Helevator or Yakima equivalent. Has anybody tried attaching towers and longer bars to the existing rack? The canoe is 30 lbs and I can probably pad the oem cross bars and strap it down so long as there is enough height for the bow to clear the roof. Was wondering if anyone tried that already as well and if it clears.
I’ve been wondering this myself. I have Thule cross bars that will attach to the mid-trim rails, but I’m not sure the furthest forward position will provide enough stability for our ~17 ft tandem kayak. I’d love a full length rail option!
Resurfacing the thread....anyone successfully transported a canoe/ kayak?
If you have any kind of crossbars it should be exactly as simple as transporting a canoe on any other midsize SUV. Keel up, strap it down to the bars, run a strap down to the hood for extra stability if needed.
I plan to. I'm transitioning from a CR-V with a Thule setup to a 2025 Land Cruiser—almost a foot higher. I plan to move my Thule kayak mounts (folding type) over once the crossbars arrive.
I'm 6'4" and 58, but my wife is concerned about the lift. I used to load a kayak onto a 2009 Pilot, which is about the same height, and while it's definitely a strain on the back, it’s all about leverage.
To ease her concern (and maybe mine), I’m considering picking up one or two adjustable, foldable RV steps (around $40 each on Amazon). Another option is the Werner aluminum platform (3.9' x 1.7', about $170 at Lowe’s). I already own one of those that I used for ceiling work. Just need to see if can easily fit in the LC. But, you know, the side steps on the LC might be all I need. Hmm.. Once I get everything set up, I’ll send a pic. Give me a week though.
There are swiveling racks that use the hitch receiver as support. They’re helpful for solo loading onto SUB roofs.
mycanoebuddy.com
This is one example. There are a few manufactures to choose from.
My Canoe Buddy | Sheboygan, WI | Myka LLC
This is one example. There are a few manufactures to choose from.
We loaded a canoe and a (heavy recreational) tandem kayak onto our FJs many times, they were about the same height. Always loaded from the back. When it comes to the actual loading part I'd say stools or steps can be kind of dangerous and unsteady, for us at least. We tried to get a mounting setup so we could tilt and get it on the back mounting point from the ground. I'm doubtful the same approach will work for the Land Cruiser though with the lower rack and the spoiler on the back. Something like the Canoe Buddy that @Subs mentions might make it possible, or a Hullavator to lift it up from the side?
I load my Vibe Makana Kayak. I can do it by myself. I use the ladder just to tie it down.
I'm 5'6" and 51 so at the end of the day even though I'm tired it's not too bad. I previously had a Range Rover and would pick it up over my head, but It's too tall for that now.
Attachments
I've never thought about loading a Kayak on a roof rack........... here is my thought.
Using some drawer slides (like in RV world) fabricate a hinge point at the rear of the roof rack (being mindful of the spoiler) where the slides (fabricated into a cradle) would pivot at the rear spoiler and tilt towards the ground, then extend/slide out and allow the Kayak to be strapped to the slide/cradle. Once strapped the entire Kayak/cradle could be lifted up/ tilted up to a horizontal position and slid forward where it could be pinned/quick nutted into a locked position. I'd use extruded aluminum as it easy to prototype and if the concept works, I'd weld all the joints/everything permanently.
I would like to see this if you build it!
Heh you basically described this mouse trap right here, but coming off the side, not rear...
Another forum member on here let me know these exist
I never knew these things existed. Prolly the best option with the OEM rack as most assist loaders are designed for rails/crossbars.There are swiveling racks that use the hitch receiver as support. They’re helpful for solo loading onto SUB roofs.
My Canoe Buddy | Sheboygan, WI | Myka LLC
This is one example. There are a few manufactures to choose from.
That system is genius!There are swiveling racks that use the hitch receiver as support. They’re helpful for solo loading onto SUB roofs.
My Canoe Buddy | Sheboygan, WI | Myka LLC
This is one example. There are a few manufactures to choose from.
