The 4Runner only comes with side rails. So (1) I need cross rails. Then (2) I need to reevaluate the carrier.
I’m short and old and not that fit. I don’t kayak all that often, hoping for more but in reality I’m only a heavy paddler in terms of my weight:)
I can buy toyota cross rack bars for 140.00, says max weight distributed is 132 lbs. I have a saddle roller on my Blazer I could move over on to these (right?) but don’t think they’d work because of that damned thing that hangs out over the back window (feels very flimsy), (who the f designs this stuff anyway?)
I was told a whole yakima new flat cross bar system would be close to 400. It would also feel taller and the 4runner already feels super tall to this 5’4" 62 yr old.
I have just left the saddle/roller system up there. Getting up and down to take this stuff on an off is not something that is going to happen, don’t know how much less aerodynamic the round bars are.
If I wanted that loader helper where the bar comes out to the side, it would take round bars which would be slightly less money for the bars but there is still the mounts etc.I did try to read some threads and saw some complaints of flimsy feeling. Might be ok for me since I dont carry that often. That said, I might be taking this back and forth across the Mackinaw bridge which is windy…lower the profile the better!
Has anyone loaded their yak with the saddle roller system reversed and gone over the hood? Not sure I can envision that.
Recommendations on cross rails? My rather immediate impression is that the Toyota ones should be fine…?
Then for a carrier that is loadable.
(P.S.) I just have an old town loon 11footer. Someday I might get a sit on top. Meanwhile I hate carrying that thing facing up. I’ve gotten stuck driving in
the rain and when it gets some water in there and starts sloshing back and forth at a stop and it feels like its going to pull your racks off. You have to stop, get out and bail. Any remedy, as in a way to carry face down?
@marys1000 said:
(P.S.) I just have an old town loon 11footer. Someday I might get a sit on top. Meanwhile I hate carrying that thing facing up. I’ve gotten stuck driving in
the rain and when it gets some water in there and starts sloshing back and forth at a stop and it feels like its going to pull your racks off. You have to stop, get out and bail. Any remedy, as in a way to carry face down?
I don’t remember where i got the cover, I remember having trouble finding one big enough. So I do have one but I wouldn’t trust it to say on on the highway. Only pretty slow shorter trips.
No opinions on Toyota OEM cross rails vs. Yakima or Thule? Anyone?
I recommend that you go with Thule or Yakima crossbars since that will guarantee that you have a rock solid rack system…plus there are more and better accessories available for Yakima and Thule. I also have a 4Runner and when I put a rack on it, it will be a Yakima or Thule…right now I rely on my wife’s car since it’s not quite so high.
By the way, have you ever tried just opening your rear window and sticking the boat inside? It will hang out a bit. Put a towel or two in the opening to avoid scratches and help the boat slide in. I used to use this technique with my Expedition…it’s easy to load and the boat is very secure. The only problem is that if you drive on a dirt road the vehicle will suck in a ton of dust through the open rear window.
@marys1000 said:
I don’t remember where i got the cover, I remember having trouble finding one big enough. So I do have one but I wouldn’t trust it to say on on the highway. Only pretty slow shorter trips.
Wrapping a couple of bungee cords around the cover and hull will remedy that. I have a snug cover for my 31.5" x 16.5" cockpit but always add a bungee cord when driving more than 10 miles to a launch site.
Agree that Thule or Yakima bars are better than what Toyota offers. I use Thule’s aeroblades and Hullavator, which makes loading/unloading a breeze.
Am always white-knuckled driving across the Mackinac Bridge. If it was a windy day (which it seems to be every day up here) and I had my kayak on top, I’d request an escort. Big Mac’s been shut down numerous times in the past couple of months because of high winds (semi-truck was blown over a few weeks ago), and once overnight because of falling ice. Be sure to have secure tie-downs front and back when you cross the bridge.
The covers for our 35’x17" cockpits have plastic snaps fitted to their release handles that clip to foredeck bungees. After several 1000+ mile trips at highway speeds - and very many shorter ones - we’ve never had a problem with them.
Look for the rollers with suction cups that mount on the windshield for the reverse roller up the front ides. …The Loon has a very big, 22x56" , cockpit. You’ll need a cover with stays and a center retention strap. … It’s pretty close to a Canoe just turn it over and strap it to round bars with foam pads. (West Marine , NRS. )…we had this discussion not long ago.
@TomL said:
By the way, have you ever tried just opening your rear window and sticking the boat inside? It will hang out a bit. Put a towel or two in the opening to avoid scratches and help the boat slide in. I used to use this technique with my Expedition…it’s easy to load and the boat is very secure. The only problem is that if you drive on a dirt road the vehicle will suck in a ton of dust through the open rear window.
With every hatchback or station wagon I’ve either driven or ridden in when the back window was open (and there have been several), an extreme amount of engine exhaust got sucked straight into the passenger compartment. You found that to be true of road dust with your Expedition, so how you didn’t have the same problem with engine exhaust I can’t imagine.
To me, carrying something sticking out the back hatch is the kind of thing that’s tolerable when transporting an awkward object once in a great while and for a very short distance, in good weather. For most people here, that wouldn’t describe their situation when carrying boats. Just my two cents.
You bought a 4Runner and you’re considering an el’ cheapo crossbar system and you don’t like how a rack looks on it 24x7? C’mon girl…Thule crossbars have excellent footings(separate part). Go with a tough, well made, system(Thule/Yakima). I realize the height. Get yourself a fold-up steps…makes the whole process much easier. $.01
I use the step stool (not shown) to put the stern up. My Yakima rear round bar is bent because it rode the roof of the camper to the road with a kayak on board when the roof blew off. Otherwise they haven’t bent with loads I’ve carried…unless it goes for an unscheduled flight. Note the kayak and rack was still firmly attached to the camper roof.
I’m a 5’5" late 50’s lady paddler who owns a 2008 4-Runner. My 4-Runner does not have the fairing in the back. I use Yakima aero bars and towers. I use a rear hitch mounted T-bar loader to get my 13 & 14 foot SOT kayaks loaded. Works great for loading boats by myself. My racks are rock solid and the aero bars are quiet. The Yakima system will easily clear that rear wind fairing.
