How Do Kayak Roof Racks Work

This video will show you how to secure your kayak to a j bar roof rack carrier.

How do kayak roof racks work.

A lift assist kayak rack makes it easier to lift a kayak onto your vehicle s roof. The kayak either sits in its hull or side and you secure the craft with a couple of ropes. The most popular type of kayak roof rack is a j bar rack. They aren t extremely expensive on their own.

Vertical kayak racks or kayak posts allow maximum boat capacity by stacking your boats vertically on their sides. The bars are designed to attach to factory installed roof racks raised side rails and naked rooftops. The principle in all the types of kayak rack is the same. Check out the lasso kong cable kayak lock for a well made kayak roof rack lock.

Their on off hardware allows rapid installation and removal and there is no adjustment ever needed. The j bar itself is the fittingly named j shaped bar that actually holds the kayaks during transport. They come in many different designs styles and levels of lift assistance. Some cable locks are designed specifically for locking kayaks to roof racks without the need for scupper holes or other mounting surfaces.

How do kayak roof racks work. It wraps around your craft and under the slots on the roof rack to create a rock solid lock. Rooftop kayak racks start with a base system which is composed of two horizontal metal bars that fasten to the top of a vehicle. Lift assist kayak rack designs vary depending on the type of kayak rack.

In order to use a j bar rack to transport your kayak there are several separate pieces of hardware that you will need.