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Need to know how far I can push the suggested weight on stock roof rack...

1510 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  ruadreamer
I have a stock rack on my truck says max 100 lbs evenly distributed. I'm planning to put on two kayaks...one upright one laying down... each about 64 lbs...

I'm pushing it almost 30 lbs beyond the suggestion... anyone done this before?

Leaving tomorrow... any help would be GREATLY appriciated!
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you should be fine. IMO it depends on where the weight is concentrated, with that setup the kayaks will be on the rack not the roof. i think the Toyota weight rating is to prevent people from slinging a 100+ lb backpack up there and denting the roof.
i don't have a rack yet, maybe someone with personal experience will chime in.
you should be fine. IMO it depends on where the weight is concentrated, with that setup the kayaks will be on the rack not the roof. i think the Toyota weight rating is to prevent people from slinging a 100+ lb backpack up there and denting the roof.
i don't have a rack yet, maybe someone with personal experience will chime in.
Thank you for your response.. its the rack itself that says 100 lbs max but im hoping it will be ok with about 20 to 30 lbs more...
i am not a expert
but was thinking
the front of the kyaks will catch the wind and be buffeted
and that could vary the weight of the load by a large amount
so it could be 128 loaded at a dead stop but a lot more "bouncing around"
in the headwind
i am not a expert
but was thinking
the front of the kyaks will catch the wind and be buffeted
and that could vary the weight of the load by a large amount
so it could be 128 loaded at a dead stop but a lot more "bouncing around"
in the headwind
I def thought of that too.. its a very valid point. That why i was hoping to hear from someone thats pushed its limits before..

I plan to tie down the nose and hulls of the boat to minimize its pull on the rack... fingers are crossed that it holds up...
post up some pics, i'd like to see the OEM rack in action. will be ordering one soon...
ok possible if you secure front and aft

years ago i had a cheap gutter mount rack on my car and a 11 ft small sailboat ( sunfish) guess about 80+ pound with sail and stuff)
with fore and aft secure i had no trouble.
i ran a line to front right and front left and same for the rear so no side shifting

i just checked the new specks on the boat and they say 120 pounds
and that was with gutter clip mount and no trouble
Secure it front and aft and you'll be fine, I overloaded mine a couple of times with 2x12 lumber and I estimate close to 300+ # and another time with 20' long steel angles, close to 250+ #.

Just don't go at 70 MPH and you should be fine.

If the kayaks are smaller than 12' long, you may not need to tie the front and aft, just snug wrap/crossovers at the tie points in the racks.

Advice, run your tie downs over the top, under and around the kayaks, wrapping the kayaks before attaching the tie downs to the rack, that way the load won't slide under the tie downs when accelerating or braking.
Thanks for all the replies...

They're 15 footers.. I got on up on a thule J-rack and the other just laying down... tied them up, and tied the front and back down to the frame of the truck. it was pretty windy on the way to the cape, but it worked out great!

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So the mission proved to be a success. I was able to tie both kayaks down and tighten the front and back ropes which probably put me well over the 100 lb limit... there was a decent amount of wind on the way to and from the cape also so all in all... i'd say the stock roof rack did it's job, and did it well!!!
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