Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
Occasional use kayak carrier (G4 expedition rack)
Morning,
I have the G4 expedition roof rack with panelled flooring on my D3 (per below) and I'm looking for a reasonably priced kayak carrier for very occasional use (maybe once or twice a year at most) to carry one Pyranha G3 275 kayak.
I think I've got the genuine LR cross bars on it, but I'd rather avoid something that slides into the T slot on it if possible (it's a pain to get the bars off off as I had to drill out some of the seized up bolts in it). Does anyone have any recommendations please?
I have same rack and use additional cross bars sold by Halfords. I've a set that carries two cycle carriers so fitting canoe carriers would work in the same way. Only problem is that Halfords no longer sell that type of cross bar - but e-Bay and Gumtree do. It was branded as "Type 3 for cars with factory fitted roof rails".
There is a set on e-Bay just now as item eBay Item No. 154409274048 for 99p - the seller has lost the keys to the bike carriers, but they would unbolt from the cross bars.A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
13th Apr 2021 9:08 am
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
snowmonkey wrote:
A rotomoulded kayak would be fine straight on the LR bars. Cam buckle strap onto each bar.
I was wondering if this could be an option, for the rare times I ever need to carry it. Just wasn't sure how to prevent it moving forward/back under heavy braking or acceleration. As far as I can tell from G4 photography, they seemed to just have them top down on the racks with straps holding them down but it's hard to tell... On the occasions I need to carry it, it'll be long journeys down the M6.
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15214
Definitely no need for a specific kayak carrier Chris.
As said, just turn it upside down and strap it down well.
When loading, the front roof bar should nestle in in front of the cockpit..... that’s your key securing point.
You may have to move the positioning of the rear cross bar to find where it settles best on the stern area of the kayak.
But a key issue when fitting is that the retaining strap doesn’t loosen on the taper of the stern.
If it does, just attach a bungee cord linking the front securing strap with the rear strap.
I regularly carry a Pyranha Burn and it’s as solid as a rock when fitted that motorway speeds, braking or cross winds are never an issue.I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
One of the guys I used to kayak with told me that his whole roof rack came off whilst going down the motorway, but the two kayaks stayed firmly strapped to it
13th Apr 2021 8:32 pm
carbore
Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
Someone near me has a D4 with Twin (empty) kayak carriers on it all the time, every time I see it I say "Hello Rudolph" cos it looks like a reindeer.Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
23rd Apr 2021 10:16 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
Just to follow up on this, I picked up the kayak last night and used the advice to cam strap it down to the roof bars. It was properly solid, you could tug on the boat and only the car itself would move.
It was useful being able to use the front sunroof as a peep hole to make sure it wasn't moving about up there. Luckily the flooring on the expo rack leaves a gap at the front above the sunroof so that you can see up.
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