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Keith5

Member Since: 27 May 2016
Location: Scotland
Posts: 352

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black

Kayaks on a roof rack

Doas anyone have examples and experience of mounting J bars on a Flatdog or front runner style rack?

I'm looking at how to get the 2 touring boats on the roof in addition to the other camping bits and like the idea of the bars to support them and reduce the footprint they have.

This style appeal http://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/folding-j-bars.html#SID=69 but I think the slats on the rack are too wide for these to go around. Are there any other options

Ideally I would like to make use of the t track in the top of the slats as this would make them (hopefully easier and quicker) to adjust and remove.

Any links, comments, photos welcome

Thanks Keith

16th May 2018 2:49pm

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3372

You'll find they stand really high if you hold them on their side, I always prefer to carry the boat upside down if poss.

Saying that, I used to use the karitek side loading system on the front runner rack (see pics).

Mounting the J bars directly to the slots, you could drop the nut into the slot and then have a short countersunk head bolt fed through the cradle holes.

To be honest I had enough of faffing about on the roof trying to get everything fastened down and have now bought a trailer!

Also means it serves as a boat rack and you can hook it up and head straight out if you get home from work and the weathers nice!

Click image to enlarge

16th May 2018 3:21pm

MartinK

Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2665

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey

Keith

I use a Kari Tec

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

good to see got home ok

Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)

16th May 2018 3:41pm

Keith5

Member Since: 27 May 2016
Location: Scotland
Posts: 352

Martin

The downside of the trip is the massively increased wish list having seen everybody else's mods.

Karitec looks good but would it not consume all of the roof space?

Thanks Keith

16th May 2018 4:47pm

Chris86

Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 789

Keith,

Have you considered having 2 sets of uprights fabricated up to bolt into your tracks on your rack- You could mount them slightly further outboard, and have the kayaks both faced cockpits toward the centre of the vehicle- allowing the hulls to overhang the outside of the vehicle slightly- maximising your potential loading space through the centre of the rack.

Basically like these.......
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sports-Canoe-Kaya...B00Q8ZBLOA

With a small amount of modification to the design they could fold flat when not in use as well.....

I have a single homemade set of these, and had them fitted to my Fiat Uno- managed to get 6 kayaks on the roof with a bit of overhang at the sides........

Chris

16th May 2018 5:34pm

Keith5

Member Since: 27 May 2016
Location: Scotland
Posts: 352

I like that idea, just need to check how it works with the luggage rail. Keith

18th May 2018 5:37pm

Leeroy

Member Since: 01 Aug 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 261

2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Adventure Phoenix Orange

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge
I just drilled the j bars and usd stainless nuts and bolts that slide into the flatdog profile

18th May 2018 6:20pm

Keith5

Member Since: 27 May 2016
Location: Scotland
Posts: 352

Cool. Looks good.

Keith

18th May 2018 6:35pm

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