Kayak roof rack suggestions needed

So, after a family trip this weekend (that included my kayak) and my lovely wife watching me struggle to lift my behemoth of a kayak onto the roof rack of her 2011 Explorer, and watching me drive like I was a palsied grandmother, stopping every 200 yards to check the straps, looking up through the sunroof every few seconds, complaining about how my wiiiiiiide Ride135 could only fit on one side of the Malone foam blocks, she said “This car isn’t going anywhere, and your kayak isn’t going anywhere, why don’t you look into a rack for the Explorer?” I am going to choose to believe that my wife is just that cool (and that it has nothing to do with the $200 side mirror of hers that I wiped off with a “kayak-valanche,” with a much lighter kayak, I had a few months ago.)

That being said, there are a staggering amount of kayak racks available, and I was wondering if anyone could help me narrow the field down and tell me about their favorite?

The challenges I have to work with: Wifey’s car has a factory rack that is not removable, my 2013 Ride 135 is amazingly heavy (80+lbs) and wide, and doesn’t have a simple single-keel design, and I would like to be able to remove this between trips.

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you!!

Contact Ariel at Rack Solid.  He will set you up right.

Contact Ariel at Rack Solid.  He will set you up right.

+1!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

+2,
Arial has been a great help in the rack dept.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

That's tough to put up there, I had an explorer until recently. I have a 4x8 trailer that I got from harbor freight years ago

http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-inch-x-96-inch-heavy-duty-foldable-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

It's worked well for me for 8+ years and traveled thousands of miles with me. Best part no lifting a kayak after a day of paddling. It's also hauled crap to the dump for me, dirtbikes, furniture, etc...

If you want removable, go with Yakima towers and crossbars. If you lived closer I would sell you my extra set. Landshark saddles are inexpensive and fit almost any yak. Then get a side extender bar which slides in and out of the tubular crossbars.. Lift the Ride's bow onto the extender bar, lift stern and slide onto saddles. Works fine for me on a tall minivan.
Or, do like I did and buy a shorter vehicle to support your kayaking addiction.

LRM has it right. But I think you need the Rail Grabbers for the factory bars, and the Makos will work better on the Ride than the Landsharks. Best bet, get in touch with Ariel. He will know exactly what will work best. 

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=14071.0

Contact Ariel at Rack Solid.  He will set you up right.

 

Contact Ariel at Rack Solid.  He will set you up right.

Berzerkley and Crazytown (SF) only?? I used to live in Oakland and work on Market Street in SF, now even the logistics of driving back into either of those towns gives me the jitters? I am getting sensitive in my middle-age <LOL>

Mooch I was looking at that link earlier, unfortunately I didn't have the intestinal fortitude to make it through more than 5/16 pages, and it was mostly about which cars folks drove... Thank you anyway, it was still interesting to see the range of vehicles that will carry a kayak!

Then try Road N Rack in Sac
http://www.racknroad.com/store/sacramento-rack-n-road-store.html
Have had great luck at my local RNR. Super nice people. Very helpful. Gone there several times for lost parts and they have given them to me for FREE. Hopefully the Sac folks will be just as nice. The one I go to also has a used section. Got my extender bar that way for 1/2 price

I just ordered a complete Thule rack with Outrigger from E-trailer.com, I am very happy with the service and price; I especially enjoyed not paying sales tax or shipping on my order....

I got one of these from Malone...super solid, simple and a great value:

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

 

Sincerely,

Jim

+1 for Malone.  I don't have one of their racks but I can tell you they stand behind their products 100%.  I recently had a cart issue and they took care of it immediately and without a hassle.  Malone is a "Class Act".

That's tough to put up there, I had an explorer until recently. I have a 4x8 trailer that I got from harbor freight years ago

http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-inch-x-96-inch-heavy-duty-foldable-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

It's worked well for me for 8+ years and traveled thousands of miles with me. Best part no lifting a kayak after a day of paddling. It's also hauled crap to the dump for me, dirtbikes, furniture, etc...

Sweet trailer..........how easy is it to fold? Do you fold it when not in use?

I've never folded it up to be honest. I just leave it flat. A buddy has the same and I've seen him fold it up. It's not terribly hard. 

The only thing you need additionally is a 4x8 for the floor of it.  Oh and stock it comes with a 1 7/8" receiver not the standard 2"