Carrying Kayak on a soft top

[bigbee]

Hello
I am having a hard time finding a solution to carry a kayak or canoe or SUP on a soft top. In the hitch receiver a goal post type support is easy. In the front there seems to be no windshield bow type supports. In past years there have been Lange originals, and rugged ridge light bars, and other companies.
I can find nothing for the front support to rest a kayak on. The JL has only been out for a couple years. What is taking so long to bend some pipe?
If anyone has a solution I would like to see pictures.
Thanks

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[bigbee]

I just need a front hoop, light bar, front rack, windshield rack. I dont know what to call it.
My other idea was to buy an actual light bar and brackets to hold it and use the light to support front end. I have never owned or seen one so it might not be the greatest idea.

 

[wired]

I just need a front hoop, light bar, front rack, windshield rack. I dont know what to call it.
My other idea was to buy an actual light bar and brackets to hold it and use the light to support front end. I have never owned or seen one so it might not be the greatest idea.

Best solution I've found. Mount under soft top but kayak/ plywood does not touch jeep bars. https://www.smsparts.com/2018-new-jeep-jlu-softtop-racks

 

[Redbaron73]

This is a very timely post for me. I have been looking for a solution for carrying my Kayak's on my JLUR /c the softtop.

I have identified 2 potential options:
#1 - https://www.hitchmount-rack.com/collections/all/products/hitchmount-rack-v2
#2 - https://www.gobiracks.com/product/gobi-jeep-wrangler-jl-4door-stealth-rack-40-led-setup/ (See video for action: [URL='https://youtu.be/CQ2OHVvp06c']https://youtu.be/CQ2OHVvp06c)[/URL]

The hitchmount appears to be the best option, and should work great with Thule Stacker

 

[bigbee]

I think I have decided the hitchmount is the best option out right now. I am a little unhappy about the 12ft length restriction but think a 13ft kayak or little longer with the front strapped so it cant twist in the wind from the added sail area would work fine.
Might be a little nerve racking to drive 70mph until you get used to the setup.

 

[entropy]

I think I have decided the hitchmount is the best option out right now. I am a little unhappy about the 12ft length restriction but think a 13ft kayak or little longer with the front strapped so it cant twist in the wind from the added sail area would work fine.
Might be a little nerve racking to drive 70mph until you get used to the setup.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-hitch-mount-rack-1-5-year-review.39674/

I have the hitchmount rack and a OK prowler which is almost 14FT. No issues, just make sure you run a strap from back of the kayak to the front chasi of the jeep to keep it from moving forward and a strap from front of the kayak to jeep to keep it from lifting. LMK if you have sny questions. It is very good quality build, very stable, takes 5 mins to assemble the first time and 1 minute to put on and off.

It will hold your 13FT kayak no issues. just make sure it is stable. You can go 70MPH dont worry. I was involved in an accident in the freeway were the Jeep got totaled, I had the rack anf my kayak on the jeep. the rack still good and the kayak didnt move an inch in the accident. It is a solid rack

I also drove from LA to the sierras with two kayaks on it once. I had to go through the Mojave desert and there were 50 to 60 MPH wind gusts at a point. That! was nervewracking!. we did slow down, but the rack didnt move an inch and neither did the kayaks. Mostly having the kayaks up there is what made it nervewracking.

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