Universal Roof Racks from Walmart? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

addicted2sp33d · 01-19-2014, 07:49 PM

Hey Guys,

Wondering if anyone has experience with those Universal Roof Racks from Wally Mart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/29390001

The bars and the towers look pretty solid - my concern is with the way they mount to the car. They're held down by some straps that come down from the towers, through window/door frame, and through the cabin.

I can tighten the hell out of the straps, but that won't do any good if the feet slide or the bars are crap.

Any commentary on the topic would be greatly appreciated!

Sdspeed · 01-19-2014, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addicted2sp33d

Hey Guys,

Wondering if anyone has experience with those Universal Roof Racks from Wally Mart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/29390001

The bars and the towers look pretty solid - my concern is with the way they mount to the car. They're held down by some straps that come down from the towers, through window/door frame, and through the cabin.

I can tighten the hell out of the straps, but that won't do any good if the feet slide or the bars are crap.

Any commentary on the topic would be greatly appreciated!

Well it would only take one trip or installation i guess to determine the quality of the towers etc. and Wal Mart has a pretty decent return polociy.
Kinda of a roll of the dice!

addicted2sp33d · 01-19-2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdspeed

Well it would only take one trip or installation i guess to determine the quality of the towers etc. and Wal Mart has a pretty decent return polociy.
Kinda of a roll of the dice!

I'm trying to avoid the roll of the dice where I'm "that guy" who's yak ends up on the side of the freeway.

ChristLike · 01-19-2014, 09:08 PM

go for it. ive had mine a year. I carry a pa 14. 35miles one way to the fishing hole. I haven't went past 70mph though.

Smthtnnr · 01-19-2014, 09:25 PM

These look pretty interesting, something I might want to buy.

MrPatrick · 01-19-2014, 11:13 PM

Pass on them and get quality racks from Yakima or Thule. I had the same rack but from Pep Boys when I started, returned them and bought used Yakima rack from Craigslist. I've used it for seven years now. That Wally World racks feet tend to roll under and that takes tension off of the straps. No bueno.

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addicted2sp33d · 01-20-2014, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPatrick

That Wally World racks feet tend to roll under and that takes tension off of the straps. No bueno.

That's what I was afraid-of. I think I'll go the Craigslist route and find some cheap used Thule or Yakima setups.

It'll look hilarious when I'm done - my yak is the same length as my car!

MrPatrick · 01-20-2014, 09:36 AM

So is mine

lookoutdj · 01-20-2014, 08:01 PM

I had a soft rack for my surfboard that used a similar strap system and it jacked up my weather stripping. Use a yakama rack now and love it. Cost more, but like was said above, you can usually find a good deal on craigslist. Good luck.

Tuff guy · 01-21-2014, 08:22 PM

If you are on a budget, just get the foam blocks and ratchet strap kit from west marine, I think it was like $50 and it holds my big tandem kayak down well. I drove it 240 miles with the kayak on top through a wind advisory and no trouble at all. That said, I will be on the hunt for a yakima setup just for sheer convenience.

01-19-2014, 07:49 PM	#1
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	Universal Roof Racks from Walmart? Hey Guys, Wondering if anyone has experience with those Universal Roof Racks from Wally Mart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/29390001 The bars and the towers look pretty solid - my concern is with the way they mount to the car. They're held down by some straps that come down from the towers, through window/door frame, and through the cabin. I can tighten the hell out of the straps, but that won't do any good if the feet slide or the bars are crap. Any commentary on the topic would be greatly appreciated!

01-19-2014, 09:08 PM	#4
ChristLike Catch and Release(#2) Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 77	go for it. ive had mine a year. I carry a pa 14. 35miles one way to the fishing hole. I haven't went past 70mph though.

01-19-2014, 09:25 PM	#5
Smthtnnr Fishing Addict Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County Posts: 202	These look pretty interesting, something I might want to buy.

01-19-2014, 11:13 PM	#6
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	Pass on them and get quality racks from Yakima or Thule. I had the same rack but from Pep Boys when I started, returned them and bought used Yakima rack from Craigslist. I've used it for seven years now. That Wally World racks feet tend to roll under and that takes tension off of the straps. No bueno. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

01-20-2014, 09:36 AM	#8
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	So is mine

01-20-2014, 08:01 PM	#9
lookoutdj Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 35	I had a soft rack for my surfboard that used a similar strap system and it jacked up my weather stripping. Use a yakama rack now and love it. Cost more, but like was said above, you can usually find a good deal on craigslist. Good luck.

01-21-2014, 08:22 PM	#10
Tuff guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 137	If you are on a budget, just get the foam blocks and ratchet strap kit from west marine, I think it was like $50 and it holds my big tandem kayak down well. I drove it 240 miles with the kayak on top through a wind advisory and no trouble at all. That said, I will be on the hunt for a yakima setup just for sheer convenience.