Carrying a big but light item like a kayak is a simple process using a built-for-purpose kayak roof rack installed on your car. Just make sure you tie it down correctly so it doesn’t blow off the roof – this happens.
Putting the kayak in the cabin area isn’t really an option, as most kayaks are simply too big for the space available (what size kayak do I need?). Moreover, when the cabin itself is full of passengers, you should not force the kayak to be in it since it may be damaged or pose a safety risk to your passengers.
Below we discuss the most important aspects when deciding between the different types of kayak roof racks available on the market. What are they?
Strong and Lightweight
The first thing to do is examining the weight of the roof rack. Make sure to look for choose a roof rack that is strong enough, but it is also lightweight. Undeniably, most of the roof rack products including those for the kayak are made from the steel.
This material is indeed strong and sturdy. Unfortunately, it is quite heavy so that it is not good for both the kayak and the car.
For the solution, it is more recommended to choose one of them that are made from the aluminum. In general, the aluminum kayak roof rack has a weight that is around 30% lighter than the steel. Another benefit is that this material is better in term of resistance.
Understand More the Type of Kayak Racks
Different from the common roof racks, kayak racks tend to be more varied in term of design and type. It is since kayak itself is quite long and sensitive.
In general, the kayak racks are in the form of temporary pads, saddles, stacks, and J-cradles.
There is none the best or the worst type among them. The rack should be chosen based on the condition of your car’s roof as well as the type of kayak itself.
Consider the Type of the Car’s Roof
Before deciding the type of roof racks to buy, you also need to examine your car more, particularly regarding the type of the roof and what are on it already.
There are basically, 4 types of car’s roof in relation to the roof rack placement. It is whether the roof is without anything on it or naked, with the side rails, with the aftermarket crossbars, or the factory crossbars.
For the bare roof or a roof with the side trails, the temporary pads are the best choice. The pads can just simply hold the kayak without any help from the gear.
Sure, it is because there is no place to install the gear that connects the car and the main rack.
Meanwhile, for the two other type of car’s room, the j-cradle type is more recommended.
It is equipped by the gear mount to make the stuff that is held on it safer and it cannot be easily released from the place where it should be.
The j-cradle type commonly also has been equipped by all the components needed including the gear mounts. But if the brand you choose doesn’t provide it, you can buy it in the store; such components are widely available.
Consider How Many Kayak You Want to Carry
Particularly if you want kayaking with a group of people, the kayak needed must be more than one. This way, the pad, and the j-cradle rack is not the main recommendation. On the other hand, it is the stacker which is considered the best choice.
The stacker is also a good solution particularly if the roof itself is quite small and narrow. It provides the optimum capacity to make sure that all the kayaks are just loaded well.
Interestingly, this type is also suggested if the trip itself doesn’t take only a short time. In the extreme condition like the low temperature, heavy rain, and storm, those can simply damage your kayak.
The j-cradle type offers additional protection in the form of coverage to make sure that this stuff is protected well.
It is not too difficult to decide regarding how and what type of roof rack to be chosen to hold your kayak. Aside from that, make sure also to treat the rack well so that it can be used longer.
