Load Bars: What Length?

OK, I have two boats each 30" wide. I want to carry the boats on square Thule load bars--one on saddles and the other on pool noodles or J-hooks. My car will accommodate a load bar that is either 52" or 58" or 65" in length (no longer). Can I carry the both boats flat? If I use the J-hooks, how should I position them? Suggestions?

Janice aka Big J

If it was me I'd get the 65" and trim if needed.  Your yaks might nestle together with your set up and be a little less than the 30+30, but probably not much.  Also depens on how you plan to lash'em down.  I like a little of the bar sticking out past the yak so that the tie down isn't likley to slide of the end if it comes even just a little loose.

If you go with J bars then I have no idea. I know the J bars are a proven piece of equipment but it just looks like it puts undo sideways stress on the rack attachment to the vehicle.

You can use any size bars on any car, just watch your head if you go too long. With 65" bars you can fit 2 revos upside down side by side. (Revos are 29" wide) another option is to run a 58" bar with a two Malone sea wing saddles. The seawings mount from the center and will over hang the car a bit but you get a wider spread out of a shorter bar. Here's a link http://www.maloneautoracks.com/seawing.php IMHO Malone cradles are better than Thule cradles, the bars are the same.

I can get two 31" yaks on 65" bars with saddles for both. It does make a difference where you can place the saddles in relationship to the bar mounts. Also, you can strap around the tower or whatever mount you use for the bars. Not just around the end of the bar only.

I have 65 inch Thule bars on my Chevy Tahoe and can load 2 yaks upside down easily and with lots of head room clearance.  For loading only 1 yak I attach my Thule Glyde and Set.

I wouldn't dare put 65 inch bars on my Honda Accord.  I'd hit my head on it and so will any passengers.

My point is consider how high your roof is first.

Thanks for all the good info. I like the idea of the Malone saddles, but my pocketbook doesn't.  Think I'll stick with the 65" load bars and do creative tiedowns (I already tie around the towers anyway.). I used the longer load bars on the CRV in the past, and, you're right--that's the longest length for my car without knocking myself out! 

Again, thanks a bunch to all for your help.

Janice aka Big J

Thanks for all the good info. I like the idea of the Malone saddles, but my pocketbook doesn't.  Think I'll stick with the 65" load bars and do creative tiedowns (I already tie around the towers anyway.). I used the longer load bars on the CRV in the past, and, you're right--that's the longest length for my car without knocking myself out! 

Again, thanks a bunch to all for your help.

Janice aka Big J

Offset them to the passenger side so you don't knock yourself out.  However, you run the risk of knocking out your passengers!

-Allen

Offset them to the passenger side so you don't knock yourself out.  However, you run the risk of knocking out your passengers!

-Allen

Good suggestion. Passengers just need to stay off my s_ _ _  list, and they'll be safe!

When I had a lower, narrower vehicle, I put bright yellow tennis balls on the end of the bars, buy the cheap ones, cut a cross in the ball just big enough to force over the end of the bar.

Of course it's not pretty, my bars were easy to remove so they were only there on days I was hauling yaks.

Of course the balls didn't stop me from hitting my head a few times, but it hurt less (I think)

after selling a kidney to finance my cradle rack system, I would not do it again.  I would rather buy the longest bars I can get.  Just wear a helmet.

I miss my lumber rack so much 

I have these 65 inch bars on my 4Runner, and can load two fat yaks (JK Cuda 14 and T15 or Hobie) face down side by side and one other one in the middle on top (BigYak, Scupper Pro, Prowler13 etc).

http://www.maloneautoracks.com/cross-rail.php

Pretty easy to tie down too!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim