[MJK]

I was wondering what you guys are using to haul your kayaks or canoes. I have seen the different racks in the catalogs and have even thought about maybe a light bar upfront with a T-bar in the rear receiver for a rack. I currently use a Thule rack with my Dodge Ram but have been thinking about getting rid of the truck because I hardly ever drive it.

The rack needs to be removable due to having a low garage height. Any ideas and pics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[keving]

I've got the same Jeep as you. What I did was get a Yakama rack consisting of 2 low profile channels that were mounted to my hard top, with 4 tower mounts. The whole system adds maybe an inch and half height to the top. When I want to use the rack it's a 2 minute process to lock in the towers/ racks into place. I don't have pictures, and my Jeep is down at my camp while my daughter is home from school so I guesstimated at the dimensions but you should be able to get them off their web site. This system has worked out real well for me over the last five years. I use the "J" style supports for my Yak, and Yakama"s "L" brackets for my canoe, and there is room for both on the rare occasions that I am transporting both.

 

[Topless Rubi]

The daughter and I both use the foam pads with our soft tops. The rear two pads mount on a hard back (2x10) sitting on top of the sports bar and the front on the windshield frame.

As long as a ratchet strap is used front and rear the canoe will stay in place up to a 30-40 mph cross wind on the highway. Best part is there is nothing to have stolen when the jeep is left on shore or when parking in town.

The little post (branch) was needed to keep things stable on a rather rough road.

john

 

[MJK]

I've got the same Jeep as you. What I did was get a Yakama rack consisting of 2 low profile channels that were mounted to my hard top, with 4 tower mounts. The whole system adds maybe an inch and half height to the top. When I want to use the rack it's a 2 minute process to lock in the towers/ racks into place. I don't have pictures, and my Jeep is down at my camp while my daughter is home from school so I guesstimated at the dimensions but you should be able to get them off their web site. This system has worked out real well for me over the last five years. I use the "J" style supports for my Yak, and Yakama"s "L" brackets for my canoe, and there is room for both on the rare occasions that I am transporting both.

I only use the hardtop in the winter months---great idea but that isn't going to work for me. Thanks though

 

[MJK]

The daughter and I both use the foam pads with our soft tops. The rear two pads mount on a hard back (2x10) sitting on top of the sports bar and the front on the windshield frame.

As long as a ratchet strap is used front and rear the canoe will stay in place up to a 30-40 mph cross wind on the highway. Best part is there is nothing to have stolen when the jeep is left on shore or when parking in town.

The little post (branch) was needed to keep things stable on a rather rough road.

john

That seems like it puts a lot of stress on the softtop frame.

 

[Red Dog Leader]

And it looks like its warping the door. :lildevil:

 

[warsw]

Works pretty good. It's a little trailer from Harbor Freight. It cost $350.00. I just bolted the Kayak racks and a cooler to the trailer and it was ready to go. I have had it for about 3 years so far and put about 1000 miles on it and it has done a great job.

I thought I would throw this one in for fun.