Can I transport with load bars only?

[Dave Legacy]

Hey all,

Tomorrow I'm going to go look at a kayak and if all goes well I'll need to bring it back home; This will be my first kayak. I have a Land Rover LR3 with factory roof bars set at the widest front-to-back spacing. With a couple tie-straps will I have all I need to safely get it back home? Padding for the bars necessary?

It's a 13'x33" Malibu; Nothing really big.

Best regards,

Dave

[MrPatrick]

Pads are a good idea. It will help keep the kayak from moving. A front strap is a good idea as well. Cut pool noodles work in a pinch.

[HobieScot]

That should work fine. Padding isn't necessary but would be helpful. Just buy a cheap pool noodle (those floaty foam thingies for kids) and bring a knife. You can cut it to size and apply it as needed on the spot.

For tie downs try to find an eyelet or handle on your kayak that you can run the tied downs through so you have a solid tie down point and not just the downward pressure of the kayak against the roof rack. You want a strap through the kayak itself so it can't move rearward in any way.

We were transporting two kayaks on a rainy day stacked on top of each other. We only had a tie down over the second kayak on top and when I had to punch it to avoid an accident the top kayak slid off in the middle of an intersection. The bottom one had the tie downs attached to elects and didn't budge. But the top kayak didn't and was the one that fell off.

Learned our lesson. You always want a secure connection from the kayak to the vehicle that will keep it from moving

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[Dave Legacy]

Thanks for the advice! I'll go raid my kids' old pool noodle stash and get them some new ones this weekend. Should it be loaded upside down or right side up in this case? Upside down, right?

[HobieScot]

I always transport upside down with the bottom of the hull facing up. I want more contact between the kayak and vehicle

That is not an option for every type of kayak as some have steering controls and other things that could possibly be damaged by transporting it that way

Depending on the hull design you may only have a couple inch wide contact point between the kayak and vehicle if you transport with the hull facing down


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[Iceman]

load bars and a pair of tie downs..........all the time. All you need.

[Dave Legacy]

It's a Malibu Pro2 Tandem, so it doesn't have anything fancy up top. I think I should be able to transport it upside-down OK. I appreciate your advice.

[HobieScot]

Good luck and congrats an the new yak!


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[captnblood34]

Originally Posted by Iceman

load bars and a pair of tie downs..........all the time. All you need.

x2... EVERY time

[Murray]

Originally Posted by captnblood34

x2... EVERY time

x3

[Dave Legacy]

Originally Posted by Murray

x3

I never had to try transporting with load bars alone. The seller of the kayak tossed in some Thule saddles at no cost and they worked out pretty well. The unfortunate reality of how difficult it is to load/unload a big kayak set in, so I need to work on a better technique. Still a success; thanks again, dudes!

[HobieScot]

And you already have it out on the water! Congrats and enjoy!


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[Sir LJ]

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

I never had to try transporting with load bars alone. The seller of the kayak tossed in some Thule saddles at no cost and they worked out pretty well. The unfortunate reality of how difficult it is to load/unload a big kayak set in, so I need to work on a better technique. Still a success; thanks again, dudes!

Awesome pic!!