Yaks on the rack?

[ohioyaker]

I’m an envious non-owner, but I will be making a purchase within the next 6-8months. I love the FJ, and I’m about 90% sure that it will be my next fishing/camping/kayaking mobile. I still have to test-drive a 2007 Wrangler, but that is really just a formality.

I’ve been searching the site (great site by the way), and I still have not found the kayak rack solution that I hope the FJ will be able to accommodate. I like the look of the factory rack, and love the look of the Gobi Stealth rack (not real happy about the price). My primary need for a rack would be kayak transportation. I’ve seen a few pics with kayaks on top, but would love to see some more! I carry two kayaks about twice a week when there is not ice in the river here in Ohio.

My ideal set-up would incorporate Yakima products. At the very least, I would like to use two pairs of HullyRollers and Mako Saddles to carry two kayaks. I’m confident that Yakima will quickly add products to accommodate the FJ. I’ve seen at least one pic of a Yakima tower mounted directly to the factory rack mount points. While I hope that this option becomes more easily available, I would prefer to use the factory rack (aesthetics), but I don’t want to compromise on functionality.

Does anyone use the HullyRollers on the factory rack? I’m curious if I would be able to use the HullyRollers on the back of the factory rack, add a Yakima crossbar to the front of the rack, and mount the Mako Saddles on the Yakima crossbar. Would the height of the FJ negate the ease of loading with the HullyRollers? Can HullyRollers be mounted on the factory rack?

What about the same set-up (minus the Yakima crossbar) with the Gobi Stealth?

What is the width of the back of the factory rack? Gobi Stealth?

Sorry for all the questions, and I truly appreciate any insight that you are able to offer on the ability of the FJ to carry some yaks. Thanks!

[fishmagnet1]

I have the Yakima low rider towers that attach directly to the stock rack and I use the 54" crossbars. It allows you to use any Yakima Acc mount. Works good.

[Chaseman]

This link is for the Ranger but I am sure it is the same for the stealth.

Help with Gobi rack and Yakima box

[ohioyaker]

Thanks, it looks like I’m Half way there! A crossbar in the front would accommodate the Mako Saddles. Worst case, you could add a second crossbar in the back for the HullyRollers (just not sure if they would be fully functional that far forward).

[eco_warrior_1]

I have the lowrider as well on my factory rack. Can be a bit loud at high speeds, but when the windows are down or the radio is up you can't hear it.

I know some law exists about having bars of a certain size, but I put the 78" crossbars on, and I can fit at as many as 5 boats on with the Thule stackers. I'm betting I can get six, but I just haven't tried. I did throw a Wavesport T2 in the back cargo area. I didn't even have to put the seats down.

Do you paddle the Yough? I spend a good bit of the summer at Riversport in Confluence, PA. Ever been there?

[jfd]

I have Yakima low riders, cross bars and saddles on a stock FJ rack. They work great. I have two ocean kayaks on the roof that withstand highway speeds and very rough roads for long trips with no problems. I went with longer cross bars. This way the boats are easily loaded / unloaded from the side (with two people).

[Pumori]

If you stick with the factory rack you may want to consider adding Yakima crossbars. Some methods for doing this have been posted in the forum. Using something like Yakima MightyMounts on the stock rack does work but I saw way too much flex with kayaks mounted for comfort. I am pretty sure they would end up breaking.

I finally bought the Gobi Stealth. This rack cost a ton but is rock solid and extremely useful (this last week I stacked up six sheets of 4x8 sheetrock on it for a home project - handy).

I ended up putting hully rollers all the way to the back bar of the Stealth rather than on the next one towards the front. This makes loading and unloading easier. I have Mako Saddles on the front. The Mako Saddles that far up front on the Stealth do create wind noise. I have 2 Yakima Windjammers on the frontmost bar and this cuts down the wind noise, but not completely.

I'll try to post some pictures of the PVC kayak loader that I built. This makes it much easier to load using just one person and avoids any scuffs/scratches on the FJ.

[Briman42487]

i think you will need a crossbar setup consisting of the lowriders and crossbars, then the kayak accessories. good luck getting in the garage.

i still ahve all sorts of trouble getting my yakima ski racks to clear the garage and still be able to get the skis on and clearing the rear bar of the roof rack.

[Pumori]

I'm lucky in having a high clearance garage. I do a lot of kayak fishing with early morning starts (leaving home around 4:30am). Rather than doing it in the morning I can load the FJ with gear and kayaks on top of the Stealth and leave it in the garage overnight (about 2" to spare!).

[SteveFJ]

I'm a sea kayak instructor in Washington State. Here's my FJ just before i left for work. Good foam saddles that are carved to fit around the stock racks crossbars work great. For long trips i also us bow and stern lines.