I don’t think I’ve seen this mentioned: periodically check the mounting system’s fasteners to make sure they are set properly (some specifiy a torque). Last summer I was making a fore-aft adjustment to my cross bars and the clamps seemed loose. I’d been carrying the boat on the rack for many many trips. I went to get the torque wrench and manual to see what torque setting was required and lo and behold the manual had a reminder to re- tighten the bolts every 3 months. I hate to think what would’ve happened if the cross bars started moving with the boat on top.
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I had that happen. The pads on my Yakima towers had turned to mush from UV . I had 2 boats on and they had started shifting.