Kayak mount

[skeptic]

I've been looking for reasonably priced (under $100) kayak mounts for my H2 and I'm coming up with nothing. There are tons of so-called universal mounts, but from what I can tell the H2 crossbars are too big for any of them. I can't be the first person wanting to carry kayaks on the roof of an H2, what are other people using?

 

[Big2dabank]

I use my Gobi rack as the base plate for all of my mounts, but before I got my Gobi rack, I used a couple large foam kayak blocks on top of the factory roof rails then I just strapped it down. With the Gobi, life is so much easier, but I no longer have the yack, I have a fishing paddle board that I absolutely love and its much easier to get on top the H2 and strap down.

 

[skeptic]

Thanks for the reply, I was starting to think nobody had any ideas. I'm not sure if I can get away with the foam pads, I'll need to carry two kayaks at a time so I'll need to do some measuring but it's at least a possible idea. A roof rack is another idea, but I think it would be overkill as I have no need for one. What I'd really like is an inexpensive universal J mount, but I'm not sure how much customization it would require or if there are reasonably priced aftermarket cross bars that are smaller than stock.

 

[Big2dabank]

You can slip some bolts into the top of the channel on the factory rail and bolt stuff to that maybe that would get your creative juices flowing to adapt a j mount to the rail. If you have the key remove the end caps on your rails and you can slide out the black strip and slide in some bolts into the channel, I forget what size fits, it's been years since I had those rails.

Edit: found something that might help, check this guys jack mount to the factory rail. It shows what I was trying to explain.

http://www.eeaston.com/2006/09/rooftop-hi-lift-mount/


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[skeptic]

Hmm... I had no idea you could slide a bolt in a slot on the factory rail. However, I don't think I'd trust it for something like a kayak that could catch wind going down the highway. I think I'm going to pursue the idea of foam pads and just strapping them to the crossbars. Not optimal and I may buy a set of J mounts and see what I can do, but short term I think I can make foam mounts work. A quick measurement shows the crossbars are an inch or two wider than both kayaks side by side, I'm just not as confident in how well it will hold them and it will be more hassle.

 

[KTM640Dakar]

Factory cross rails are plenty strong. Go get yourself a swimming noodle and cut them lengthwise so they wrap around each rail. Then ratchet strap them down. My factory hummer rack works off the slots in the factory rails. That rack is rated for 250 pounds of cargo. FYI

 

[skeptic]

Yep, not worried about the strength of the rails. My only concern is not damaging the Kayaks while securing them tight enough not to move around or come loose at highway speeds.

 

[Woodtick]

I use 1" pipe insulation, black foam type. I run 75mph and they stay put.