Roof Rack Questions

[Drifter]

Just purchased a new SUV ( 2008 Toyota Rav4) with that came with a "luggage rack" already installed on the roof. Would like to use this to haul the kayaks if possible. It is apparent that some kind of vertical "stacker" will be necessary for this to happen. However, I have surfed the web and really ain't having much luck in finding such an animal.

Has anyone had any luck using the factory luggage racks or will we have to remove it and go with a Yakima, etc.?

[okieboater]

Hey Drifter, if you ever do any towing with that RAV, let us know.

I thinking that V6 RAV might make a good boating unit if it can tow a raft in addition to a couple kayaks.

[Mike_P]

You may be able to use some Thule products directly with your factory system. See http://www.thuleracks.com/fg_clamp.asp? ... n_number=3

[Drifter]

Thanks, Mike, I think that will solve the problem. Looks like they have a stacker that will fit.

Dave, don't think we'll be towing anything any time soon; but if I remember correctly the V6 has a towing capacity of 3500lbs which should be more than sufficient to pull a light trailer with a raft. The Toyota V6 is a pretty strong engine.

[Zach]

My RAV4 is much older, but if they are still using the cross bars that are sort of a stretched oval the Yakima Mighty Mounts work. I think you need the horizontal ones for the kayak stacker.

http://yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=90

[Drifter]

Zach,

Yeah, they are the stretched oval kind.

So you buy the mighty mount and the stacker goes on the mighty mount? Are you using the "Big Stack" or the "Kayak Stacker"? I see the "Big Stack" folds down, does the "Kayak Stacker" fold down when not in use as well? Gotta have that fold down capability - would hate to have to take them off just to pull in the garage. Also have the factory rack bars held up well for you?

Thanks

[Zach]

Kind of looks like the 'Big Stack' might go right on the factory rack without anything else.
I've got the regular kayak stacker, folds down on the Yakima racks I use it on, but wouldn't on the factory rack.

I've only used the factory rack for a ski rack when I didn't want the full yakima rack on for the drive to Colorado. So, I'm not sure how it would hold up to heavy loading compared to attaching an aftermarket rack to the side rails which are much burlier.

Also, with either stacker make sure to wrap around both hooks when using it. I've seen several with one or both hooks broken off, presumably when a tie-down was hooked on just one.

[Drifter]

'Preciate the input, Zach.

Learning about these racks is kind of a pain in the you-know-what. Never have used them, nor have I paid a lot of attention to them. All I know is that most people have 'em. I have always used my truck (which I still have - and could not imagine life without) and built my own rack for it, but can't do that for the SUV.

Would like to hear from anyone who has used the factory racks extensively for carrying the kayaks. I was looking at the crossbars last night and they seem pretty substantial. Biggest load we would probably ever carry up there (over any real distance)would be a couple of boats. Might carry up to four for shuttles just around the river, though.

[pnut]

my advice would be to go ahead and buy real racks, you wont have to remove the stock ones just get spacers such that the after market racks will clear the factory ones, the aftermarket racks will be much stronger than the factory ones which are not "really designed" to carry things like boats, also with aftermarket racks you will be able to carry many more boats without damaging your vehicle and you can get all the fancy attachments for carrying paddles, canoes, stackers, bicycles, skis, etc.

[RomanLA]

I use the Thule Stackers on my Nissan Xterra. For $6, you can get longer bolts to fit the aero bars.

[okieboater]

I would check the yakima site for latest recommendations on racks.

A few years back I had one of the toyota 4Runner's with a factory rack.

Yakima put out a special setup where the towers fit right into the factory roof rack mounting tracks. Made a really nice setup and I had zero problems with mine.

[LARAMY]

Drifter- Google Hullraiser Aero's by Yakima. I drive a 4runner and have the same factory rack type you do. These have worked great for me and nothing else is needed for them to work. They carry these at Ozark Outdoor if you live close to Little Rock.

Something that I've been looking for but can't find is a paddle holder to fit these type of factory rack bars. Any suggestions?

[Drifter]

Thanks for all the input and advice, guys. Have decided to go with the Thule Stacker that will fit the factory crossbars for now, then will probably upgrade the crossbars later.

I called the Thule customer service department and the man there said the factory crossbars would work OK as they are rated for 120 lbs, but if we were to replace the factory crossbars with the Thule bars they would go to 160 - and they are longer so we could easily carry more boats.

Yamima has towers and bars that will fit on the factory rails as well. and we could still use the Thule stacker even on them, so we have lots of options.

Thanks Again

[Zach]

I wouldn't worry about the weight if you eventually go to the after market bars. I've got the Yakima with Low Rider mounts and have put well over 200lbs of boats up with no trouble (presumably the Thule are as strong, though I definitely see more bent Thule bars).
The cross bars on the factory rack aren't super strong, but the side rails that the after market mounts attach to are pretty bomber.