How To Tie Down 2 Kayaks Without A Roof Rack

In an ideal globe, when it comes to hauling a kayak everyone would own a purpose-built kayak roof rack or kayak trailer to transport their hard-shell kayak effectually on.

Merely nosotros don't live in an ideal world and there are many valid reasons to why it is not always possible.

Maybe it's – A lack of budget? – Your motorcar or truck doesn't have rack mounting points? – You are looking for a kayak rack for machine without rails.

Or, simply you don't want to purchase ane!

And so, how do you transport a kayak without a roof rack? It'due south a jolly good question and one I intend to answer.

Well brusque of selling your hard-vanquish and buying a fold-up or inflatable kayak, or trading the machine for a stretched limo, nosotros will demand to find you a suitable culling.

Accept no fear, we have a plan. A plan as cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University.

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The DIY Kayak Roof Rack System

The DIY kayak rack – the reply to the burning question; How to ship a kayak without a roof rack system

I would like to merits credit for inventing this roof rack tip merely sadly I tin can't. I first came aware of this method from a couple of surf bums who were using it to attach their kayak and long-board to the roof of their camper van.

The idea was so simple, and cheap, using just a set of racket straps and some foam tubing or cream blocks. I was shocked that it wasn't commonplace practice – and more people weren't hauling their kayak without a rack.

Its an excellent selection for anyone on a restricted budget or if needing a roof rack for cars without rails.

Although a few similar methods are floating around on the spider web, I experience this is the most applied and scalable. Other methods I've seen rely on the weight of the kayak to hold the protective foam in identify.

Until the kayak is placed on summit, the foam is costless to movement. This could easily lead to y'all dissentious your vehicle whilst loading. Loading on a windy day is just a prime example of where things could become wrong.

We would strongly recommend that you secure the foam to the vehicle to create a rack. Then the kayak to the rack, this way the rack remains on the vehicle regardless of the kayak has been loaded or not. And always check you local laws regarding to ensure this isn't an unlawful modification in your country, especially if y'all wish to ship 2 kayaks.

Kit List

I have included links to amazon just for ease, but all of these items should exist readily bachelor from most hardware stores. But if yous are lazy like me then, you volition merely guild them online 🙂

4 x Ratchet straps
2 ten 2" Foam tubing or foam blocks with ane" cut out – standard diameterpool noodles will be platonic.
1 x Tape measure
1 x Small bow saw or hand saw

What is a Ratchet strap?

Ratchet straps or tie-downward straps are a length of apartment cord, typically nylon, which are used to restraint cargo during transportation. The strap is fitted with an adaptable squeeze with a ratchet action, this helps tighten the strap thus ensuring the cargo is secured firmly.

Many people struggling to use the ratchet clasps on a tie-down strap. Often, they will incorrectly tread the strap through the bucket causing the buckle to jam or operate poorly. Or, they are confused most how to correctly release the ratchet to belch the strap from the mandrel.

How to Tread and Tighten a Ratchet Strap

To use a ratchet correctly follow this 5-step guide

How to Use Ratchet Straps and Cam Buckle Straps - Beginner's Guide

Open the ratchet and then that the top of the buckle releases abroad from you.
With the buckle open up, thread the strap through the slot of the ratchet, as well known as the mandrel. The strap should render along the length of the strap so it overlaps.
Pull back on the strap, feeding information technology through the mandrel, until information technology'due south tight
Pull and push the ratchet back and along until the strap is tight and the cargo held deeply in identify
Render the ratchet bucket to the closed position to lock the strap in place. It would click into place.

How to Release a Ratchet Strap

To release a ratchet correctly follow this 2-step process

How to Use Ratchet Straps and Cam Buckle Straps - Beginner'due south Guide

Pull back and hold the release tab, this will disengage the ratchet mechanism
Once open, remove by pulling on the strap.

Stride 1 – Is My Car Suitable for This Roof Rack Method?

Firstly, yous will demand a 4-door machine or truck. The pool noodles volition exist laid beyond the width of the roof – a noodle at each the bow and stern – between the doors – the ratchet straps will so be secured through the body of the car. Forming the DIY roof rack.

Next, your car ideally must exist wide enough to let at least a 6-inch gap either side of the kayak and the edge of the car.

Why six inches from the edge? In that location is not hard and fast rule – merely my own obversions.

It's my experience that most machine's roof arch towards the last six inches, so all-time to get out a gap from the puddle noodles to the roof edge, to ensure everything is safely secured.

Step 2 –Noodle length

So, your machine is wide enough but are the pool noodles the correct size?

If your machine is narrower than the noodle, you might need to cut the puddle noodles to length.

Or, if y'all wish to transport ii kayaks without a rack or you lot accept a super-wide Kayak then you may demand to alter or join two pool noodles together.

For most people, there will be no demand to cut the puddle noodles and you tin just skip this step.

The length of the noodle needs to able to fit the kayak with a minimum three-inch gap either side, while remaining 6 inches from the motorcar edge.

Merely how do you know? Well, all yous need to retrieve is; Noodle length >= Kayak width plus half-dozen inches.

How to Transport Ii Kayaks without a Roof Rack?

If you have the room to ship more one kayak then I adopt a unmarried pool noodle for each kayak. I find this helps you lot easily position them adjacent to each other on the machine roof. All-time of all, pool noodles can be hands cutting to size using a craft or manus saw.

Noddle length ane = Kayak ane width plus 6 inches

Noddle length ii = Kayak 2 width plus vi inches

E'er make sure the total length of the pool noodles doesn't exceed the automobile width

Footstep 2 – Secure the Pool Noodles to the Auto

Tread the Pool Noodles

Accept the noodle, or noodles, and tread the strap ends, aka the non-buckle end, of the ratchet strap through the pool noodle. Some gentle persuasion might be needed using a broom handle or fishing pole
One time threaded, ensure that the pool noodles are positioned in the centre of the strap.
Repeat for the second noodle/strap pair.

Position the Puddle Noodles on the Car

Lay the first noodle/strap set across the width of the roof and so that information technology aligns with the centre of the forepart doors.
Ensure that noodle is as across the width of the car.
Laissez passer the ratchet straps through the body of the auto
Repeat for the second noodle or noodle pair.

Tighten Straps

Sitting in the automobile, thread the ratchet strap.
Pull hand tight, ensuring that the buckle is positioned in the centre of the car. This avoids the strap obstructing the rider or driver
Once positioned, crack the racket to firmly tighten the strap and puddle noodles to the car. Brand certain you don't over tighten the strap as information technology volition cut into the noodle. The perfect tightness is at the point where the noodle can't be moved by mitt.
Repeat for the second noodle or noodle pair.

Step3 – Load the kayak on to the Roof Rack

Being 6ft3 and 230lbs picking up and loading a kayak onto the roof of the car is an like shooting fish in a barrel enough task just that'south non the same for everyone.

If possible, ask another kayaker or buddy to assistance y'all with lifting the kayak on to the roof rack. A bit like asking someone for a spot at the gym, near people are happy to oblige. And, it'due south a reciprocal arrangement, so make sure you share the love.

I will outline a super like shooting fish in a barrel method that assumes; 1) yous are alone 2) unable to lift the kayak above your head.

Lifting a kayak on your own

The Easiest mode to Load a Kayak on Top of a Car or Truck by Yourself

Before you starting time, information technology'due south wise to lay something, such an old coating, on the roof edge to protect the kayak from damaging the paintwork.
Lay the Kayak parallel to the vehicle, nigh the length of the kayak apart.
Ensure that eye of the Kayak is level with the front roof rack
Walk to the top of the kayak and face down the bow. Lift the kayak at the bow, walk up underneath the kayak until the front is above your caput.
Side by side, rotate the kayak by 90 degrees and lay the bow of the on the roof of the vehicle, on the noodle or foam blocks.
With the roof now supporting the weight of the Kayak, walk to the stern.
Lift the stern and push the bow of the kayak onto the front roof rack strap.
Once the bow is in position, rotate the kayak by xc degrees and lay the stern on the rear roof rack strap.
Now the kayak is in position, remove the protective blanket.

Pace iv – How to Secure the Kayak to the Rack/Car

oyota 4runner and whitewater inflatable kayak on roof rack

The concluding stride in the process how to ship a kayak without a roof rack system is to firmly secure the Kayak to the motorcar.

Open the car doors
Lay 1 ratchet strap, non-buckle terminate, over the top of the kayak and in line with the front pool noodle and car doors
Brand sure that the strap length is spread every bit across the width of the car.
Pass the strap through the torso of the automobile. (front doors)
Whilst sitting in the motorcar, thread the ratchet strap.
Pull hand tight, ensuring that the buckle is positioned in the heart of the car. This avoids the strap obstructing the passenger, commuter, or hitting the window when cornering.
Once positioned, crank the ratchet to firmly tighten the strap. Make sure you don't over tighten the strap equally it will damage the kayak.
Repeat the process for the rear of the kayak.
Once the front and rear ratchet straps have been secured; check there is no side ward, front, or rearward kayak movement. If at that place is, slightly increase the strap tightness at the bow and stern until the movement stops.

How to Ship a Kayak Without a Roof Rack – Wrapping Things Upwardly

So, I hope you have establish this guide useful is learning how to transport a kayak without a roof rack. I am sure you lot volition concord it'southward a simple and cheap work effectually but is better than a roof rack arrangement, sadly not! Although inexpensive to buy and install, its not the well-nigh efficient and will negatively bear upon your gas mileage when compared to a standard commercial roof rack.

Nonetheless, this little DIY roof rack has certainly gotten me out of a predicament or 2 and I wouldn't exist without it – give it a endeavor.

Just whilst we are on the topic of how to haul a kayak without a rack, although roof racks are an excellent mode to ship your kayak, they are not the only method of kayak transportation; kayak trailer are an first-class alterative and one to consider if y'all are a multi-sport family and need to send bike, boards and cycle all at 1 fourth dimension. Why not check our kayak trailer reviews – go on, I know you want to.

Source: https://www.watersportswhiz.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak-without-a-roof-rack/