Roof Rack Question

I've put 2 bikes and 1 kayak on top of my Jeep... but we only have 1 kayak, so I couldn't try it with 2.  There was a little extra space left over, though.  I would think that putting the kayaks on the inner most part of the rack (kayak 1 this way //, kayak 2 the same way //), then put the bikes on the outermost part of the rack.

Like I said, we've only got one kayak, so I can't post pictures... but I'd love to see it if anyone can do it!

-Joel

I have seen it done. They stacked the kayaks on top of each other and had them in the middle with the bikes on the outside of the racks. They had some type of material between the kayaks, I believe it was some type of stryofoam or closed cell foam. This helped the top kayak rest on the bottom one.

I just did this a week or two ago without my kayak mount on the rack (I wasn't going more than a few blocks).

To do this properly depends on the width of your rack (size of the car) and the type of kayak rack you have.

Assuming this is a yakima rack type system. 
1.   There are kayak mounts that hold the kayak just like it would sit in the water (these are typically used for sea kayaks).  You can stack two kayaks on top of each other with styrofoam "dog bones" depending on the kayaks. 
2.  There are kayak mounts that hold the kayak vertical up a gainst a short rod that you can stack one kayak on either side of the vertical supports (typically used for river kayaks).
3.  You can come up with your own method and tie them down together.

I usually have my bikes on the outside and the ski's or kayaks on the inside, but there is no reason you can't switch them all around depending on what you want to put up there and how they best fit together.

PS.  I just realized you might have been talking about a "stock" car rack?  DO NOT put that much weight on a stock roof rack, the bars can not support that much weight without an aftermarket bar system like Yakima or Thule or similar.


Michael

Edited by 2xtreme 2009-07-28 7:41 PM

It is definitely possible, but it all depends on the length of your crossbars.   The most I could fit is 3 bike on top.  I can't remember the size I have, but it you have longer bars, it is no problem.

It is possible. My thoughts:

a) Use the J style carriers for the kayaks. It holds the kayak on it's side rather than flat as it would sit in the water. That will conserve space
b) Use longer load bars. Usually you aren't supposed to go past your sideview mirrors but you could. Thule sells different lengths bars
c) Keep in mind that most racks top out at a weight capacity of 150ish lbs. If you have 2 50-60 lbs sea kayaks plus bikes, you could be pushing it. I have seen a car with dents in the roof from overloading. That's what I've seen for Thule/Yakima. Many cars that come with a roof rack aren't really designed to carry load but more to give you a place to tie rope down to.


Edited by merlin2375 2009-07-28 9:26 PM

I am pretty sure Yakima is 150lbs PER bar.

Michael