Functional Cheap Roof Rack DIY

Cushion Foam: 4 inch thick, 24 inches wide, 72 inches long pieces available at home depot for 25$ a piece. I cut mine down to 60 inches long and cut the left over piece into two 6 inch pieces. I put the 60 inch long piece on top of my car and put the kayak on top of it and then lift up each end and put the 6 inch pieces in between the kayak the the 60 inch piece directly under scupper holes. These are the strongest points of the kayak, applying the most pressure there prevents the hull from bowing in. I string ratcheting tie downs through cabin and around the the kayak to hold it down. Everything costs 35-40$ tops and works on any vehicle. The foam does not move around on top of the car whatsoever, it is actually difficult to move the foam once the weight of the kayak is on it. Tied down with the straps it is secure enough that I can shake my car by shaking the kayak.

Other Thoughts; cutting the 60 inch piece into two thirty inch pieces might make it more convenient  to store, sowing a giant pillowcase for it could be helpful for keeping it clean and make it more durable, however fabric would likely have less friction on the roof of the car and between the kayak, the foam really makes everything stick in place securely. But with many fabric options available it could be fun to try different things, all felt, all neoprene, perhaps a one side felt and one side neoprene combination? It would certainly make it all look cleaner and more finished.



 

FYI, the kit below is $20 including straps.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/22100244?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227016606872&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=41080797512&wl4=pla-78913212752&wl5=9032188&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=22100244&wl13=&veh=sem

I have one of those and I don't like it. To easy to scratch or dent your car trying to get it on and off and all the pressure goes onto two spots on the roof. With my set up there is a large area to work with so it is much easier to get away with loading and unloading solo without scratching or denting the car it is also much more stable and secure. Once you get the kayak up there you can slide it back or forward to get it in the right place, those little two piece if you try that they will fall over and you can put enormous scratches in your car. The larger pad is just all around easier. The straps that come in the walmart package are also nothing I have ever felt confident in. With the DIY version you can invest in quality straps.  The DIY set up is 1000% better for about 15$ more.

While the foam padding will provide abrasion protection on the paint and some grip from the yak sliding, it is not the best for distributing load.

Load bars are design to spread the wieght of the load along the edge (gutters) of the roof; where it is the strongest part of the roof...

just exercise caution when straping the yak down on the roof, so you dont dimple or dent the roof...

Word of caution, using ratchet straps may oil can your kayak. Cam straps are what you need.

I just like that you know ratchet straps aren't coming undone, but yes you don't want to over crank them for sure. Avoiding misshaping the hull is also why I use the extra pieces to go under the scupper plugs.

Word of caution, using ratchet straps may oil can your kayak.

Not to mention the roof of the car!

2x4s and hose clamps are cheap and functional!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2x4s and hose clamps are cheap and functional!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For sure.... 

Pool noodles over a rectangle of 3/4" pvc works for me.

Pool noodles over a rectangle of 3/4" pvc works for me.

Care to share a pic? How do you secure the pvc to the vehicle?

Pool noodles over a rectangle of 3/4" pvc works for me.

Care to share a pic? How do you secure the pvc to the vehicle?

No need to, as the straps hold everything secure. I have a Hobie Adventure that I haul this way and even carried a smaller kayak all the way to WY this summer. I don't think I've got any pictures handy but I'll check later.

I too have made a pretty killer rack system that I have put to the test with my Old Town XL over 20k Miles on the road. This is a video I recently did, and in the middle it shows this roof rack I made.