Nope. It's easier to load on the jeep than it was for me to load on my truck. The rack on my truck was a little higher.
Or just toss it in the bed of the pickup...
Good info. Thanks. Any problems with weight? I understand FCA has limits on what you can put on the roof.A little late to the thread, I was checking this thread out when I purchased my Jeep and thought I'd add my current setup:
I have a 2 door, and a 17' sea kayak. Currently I'm running a 60" Thule Aerobar (ARB60BK) and the Rapid Gutter Foot Pack to mount the cross bars to the roof. I also use an older version of the Thule Dock Glide to secure the kayak.
Had it out on a few trips over the highway, seems fine so far!
Note: The picture shows the front bar on the freedom panels (I realized afterwards this wasn't the most secure thing in the world) I've since moved the front bar back to just off the freedom panels, working excellent.
The manual says it should be 100 lbs or less, including the bars. I would guess that I'm very close to that number, but no issues with the weight so far (fingers crossed). My boat is 59.9 lbs empty.
Thanks. Trying to decide between something like this and a trailer I could also use for other purposes. This is helpful info.
Doesn't it also say NO KAYAKS?
I also costed out the above system. Looks like I could get a multi-purpose trailer for a similar price. As I have a JKU, that would allow me to transport a wider range of heavy items, but with the hassle of dealing with a trailer.
It's really messed up.
Mine is 59lbs. I just worry about the lift on the highway.It's really messed up.
Mopar sells a kayak and canoe mounting system which is to be used with their rack. But when you look at their actual rack, it says it's not recommended for water sports, canoes or paddle board carriers.
In any event, I think I'll go with the Mopar rack myself. I read somewhere that it's basically a re-badged Yakima.
I won't be pushing my luck by mounting my 80lb tripping canoe onto the rack but I think it should have no issues handling my 35lb kevlar canoe.
The Jeep's manual makes no reference (that I could find anyways) to what you carry on the roof, as long as it's evenly distributed. As Ken pointed out, it's the Mopar crossbars themselves that say no water sports. My Thule racks don't have the same limitations, which I why I went with the Thule over the Mopar (just in case something ever happened!). I know with the KL Cherokees the "Mopar" rails were actually Thule, not even re-badged - I wouldn't be at all surprised to find these are Yakima bars as Ken mentioned.
The fiberglass top is the concern even though apparently it has metal rain gutters. Tying the front of the kayak to the front bumper should illuminate most wind stresses. But still, fiberglass will get twisting forces on it.
How is your homemade kayak hitch carrier working? do the kayaks move alot due to the long extensions from the hitch and no attachment up front to a roof rack? does it make it difficult to drive in wind?I built a rack that mounts in the hitch. Hauls 2 12ft kayaks here’s a couple of pictures of the fit up before I welded the gussets and added the cooler rack.
