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Options for carrying a canoe/kayak

Moucf96

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I read that the hardtop only supports 40#. Will your yaks exceed that? I was looking at an eco-skeleton to overcome the weight.
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jmcdtucson

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I read that the hardtop only supports 40#. Will your yaks exceed that? I was looking at an eco-skeleton to overcome the weight.
It's 80 or so, not 40.
Here's my 78 pound kayak on rhino bars. Drove to Mexico no problem.
IMG_20191008_102332.jpg
 

Dethwalkin

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78lbs? holy shit! My Kayaks are 30ish a piece.
 

jmcdtucson

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It's a 13 ft. Ocean Kayak Trident fishing kayak. Very heavy but very nice on the water.
 

Usfpaul82

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Figured I would chime in, though I’m in a 2008 JKU. I have a 90 pound kayak that I have been topping with the Thule Rapid Gutter and Aero Bars setup. I have made about 6 30 mile (each way) trips with some light 65 mph highway driving. I have not had a single issue, but I am starting to get nervous with everyone having bad feelings about mounting to the gutters with that much load, especially on the freedom panels. Like I said, no issues at all yet, but now I am trying to talk myself out of getting the backbones system instead. I use the Rhino T-Loader to easily get it loaded and unloaded. And I’m a small 5’7” dude. What do you all think?

A911DE28-9377-48A6-B6FD-77A323932014.jpeg
 

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KCVS

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How did that work out??
I was using the sport rack foam blocks and strapping them to the kayaks, and used that for transport on hard top and roll bars.

Roll bars 30 miles hwy a number of timds and hardtop from Chicago to Canada. Only issue is the straps drip in anything more than a bit of rain.

Still use the blocks if topless, but put in the rhino rack backbone, pioneer tray, and ladder so i can get 3-4 on top.

A slight increase in noise, reduction in mpg, but 15 min to remove/put on, and works great.
 

gnome

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Figured I would chime in, though I’m in a 2008 JKU. I have a 90 pound kayak that I have been topping with the Thule Rapid Gutter and Aero Bars setup. I have made about 6 30 mile (each way) trips with some light 65 mph highway driving. I have not had a single issue, but I am starting to get nervous with everyone having bad feelings about mounting to the gutters with that much load, especially on the freedom panels. Like I said, no issues at all yet, but now I am trying to talk myself out of getting the backbones system instead. I use the Rhino T-Loader to easily get it loaded and unloaded. And I’m a small 5’7” dude. What do you all think?

A911DE28-9377-48A6-B6FD-77A323932014.jpeg
I think the issue with gutter mounts is uplift more than load weight.
You have it properly secured bow and aft to help prevent that.
And overall it looks good.
 

gnome

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Waiting(and waiting, and waiting....) on a 2020 diesel, and will be needing a kayak rack for it.
Does anyone have a picture of what is under the side cowling covers?
Is there any access to the frame through here?

Early morning on the Withlacoochee river

DSCN0646.JPG


DSCN0654.JPG
 

Boatbuilder88

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Figured I would chime in, though I’m in a 2008 JKU. I have a 90 pound kayak that I have been topping with the Thule Rapid Gutter and Aero Bars setup. I have made about 6 30 mile (each way) trips with some light 65 mph highway driving. I have not had a single issue, but I am starting to get nervous with everyone having bad feelings about mounting to the gutters with that much load, especially on the freedom panels. Like I said, no issues at all yet, but now I am trying to talk myself out of getting the backbones system instead. I use the Rhino T-Loader to easily get it loaded and unloaded. And I’m a small 5’7” dude. What do you all think?

A911DE28-9377-48A6-B6FD-77A323932014.jpeg
Since you asked... I think you are risking the safety of those driving near you. The aerodynamic lifting forces of this set-up are likely quite high. There is a reason why Jeep does not want folks mounting racks to the freedom panels.
 

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jmcdtucson

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Figured I would chime in, though I’m in a 2008 JKU. I have a 90 pound kayak that I have been topping with the Thule Rapid Gutter and Aero Bars setup. I have made about 6 30 mile (each way) trips with some light 65 mph highway driving. I have not had a single issue, but I am starting to get nervous with everyone having bad feelings about mounting to the gutters with that much load, especially on the freedom panels. Like I said, no issues at all yet, but now I am trying to talk myself out of getting the backbones system instead. I use the Rhino T-Loader to easily get it loaded and unloaded. And I’m a small 5’7” dude. What do you all think?
Took me the longest time to figure out why you don't have a gutter all the way along your hard top. :LOL: Simple solution: upgrade to a JL so you can attach it to the hard top :like:. Theoretically your front and rear tie downs should prevent too much lift on that freedom panel, but attaching anything to the freedom panels would scare me.
 

TrailJoy

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I read this entire thread and I'm more confused now than when I was before I started. LOL

Does anyone know the weight limit of the JLU(s) gutter rails? I keep hearing 80-ish pounds, but I can't seem to confirm that anywhere. And I'm having a HELLUVA time finding a system that will work for my kayak or SUP, in the summer and skis in the winter. I definitely do NOT want an exoskeleton rack as I want to be able to take the roof on/off, as well as switch back and forth from the freedom top to the soft top (I do not need a roof rack system with the soft top).

Am I correct to be concerned about the gutter cracking with a gutter mount crossbar system, or should I be looking at a backbone system? I only ever carry one 44 lb 11' kayak (or paddleboard) at a time (and 1-2 sets of skis), but I hit the water at least 3-4 times a week for two months out of the year (over 30 minutes of highway driving to get there).

Am I overreacting?
 

wired

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Check our Exposed Racks. Can mount under soft top for summer use and then moved to mount on hardtop for winter. https://www.smsparts.com/
 

Boatbuilder88

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I read this entire thread and I'm more confused now than when I was before I started. LOL

Does anyone know the weight limit of the JLU(s) gutter rails? I keep hearing 80-ish pounds, but I can't seem to confirm that anywhere. And I'm having a HELLUVA time finding a system that will work for my kayak or SUP, in the summer and skis in the winter. I definitely do NOT want an exoskeleton rack as I want to be able to take the roof on/off, as well as switch back and forth from the freedom top to the soft top (I do not need a roof rack system with the soft top).

Am I correct to be concerned about the gutter cracking with a gutter mount crossbar system, or should I be looking at a backbone system? I only ever carry one 44 lb 11' kayak (or paddleboard) at a time (and 1-2 sets of skis), but I hit the water at least 3-4 times a week for two months out of the year (over 30 minutes of highway driving to get there).

Am I overreacting?
As long as your gutter-mounted rack system is not attached to the freedom panels, you should be fine carrying such a short/light kayak. For more peace of mind, front and rear tie downs are a good idea too. I would be more concerned if the front crossbar was mounted to the freedom panel and the kayak was long (like a sea kayak).
 

TrailJoy

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As long as your gutter-mounted rack system is not attached to the freedom panels, you should be fine carrying such a short/light kayak. For more peace of mind, front and rear tie downs are a good idea too. I would be more concerned if the front crossbar was mounted to the freedom panel and the kayak was long (like a sea kayak).
That makes sense. Thanks! (My freedom tops will be removed soon and replaced with the sun rider, so that won’t be a problem.)
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