# 1
Rhino-Rack Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Fixed - Clamp On
Easy ordering and fast, free shipping. Product was $50 cheaper on etrailer.com than from Rhino Rack themselves. I will absolutely buy from here again.
I installed these as soon as I got them and I’ve got to say, there are some extra holes for screws that are a tad misleading and the pieces that secure it to the cross bars don’t seem super secure. For reference, I do have Rhino Rack’s vortex crossbars so this should fit snug. The rubber tops were tough to get into place and I am worried they’ll snap when I go to remove my rack but Rhino Rack has yet to fail me with their products so I bet it’ll work out great!
# 2
Thule Hull-A-Port Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Fixed - Clamp On
Arrived quickly and was very easy to assemble and attach to the roof of my Jeep. Now that I have the initial setup complete with the proper placement of the entire system, attaching and removing the kayaks will be a breeze. Will definitely make hauling our kayaks much easier and safer.
This product is excellent. I have transported my kayak on these J Hooks several times going 70+ mph down the highway. It never moves. The bolts that come with it are short. If you have a thick roof rack, you will need longer stainless steel bolts. Make sure you you orient the blue straps with the buckle on top so you can pull down to tighten it up.
# 3
Malone DownLoader Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
These kayak J-style racks worked great, AFTER I went to the hardware store and spent $20 on bolts that actually fit my truck rack. It comes with 2-5/8” mounting bolts that aren’t adequate for a heavy truck rack ( mines a Best.Wyle). I had to buy 4” bolts, lock washers, and nuts). I also wish the locking teeth were mitered instead of square. That would make them less prone to breaking and easier to align.
The Malone DownLoader is very good value for the money. The J-style cradle is nice when you have to muscle a kayak on top of a tall crossover or SUV. You can hook the edge of the cockpit onto the base of the cradle and flip the kayak up onto the metal hoop support. Carrier installation and removal is easy and doesn't require any tools. Materials are good, but not great and that's what prevents this product from getting 5 stars IMO. The foam padding is nice enough and has been durable, but the metal plate that attaches the carrier to the roof rails is plastic coated steel and the plastic cracks over time, and leads to rust on the steel plate beneath. Not a big deal, but it might compromise the plate over time. I also wish that the provided nylon straps were longer, and that the ratchet buckles were covered in rubber to protect the roof of the vehicle and the windshield when you're trying to get them around the hull of the boat. We quickly replaced these with longer aftermarket straps that have rubber covers over the buckles. Those minor points aside, the Malone DownLoader kayak carrier gets the job done easily and safely, and does so at a very affordable price point.
# 4
Thule Stacker Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Post Style - Folding - Clamp On
We needed a better way to haul around 3 kayaks and after looking at a number of options, we settled on the Thule Stacker setup. Installation is simple and the stackers provide a sturdy option for hauling multiple kayaks. One of the best features is that they fold down when you don't need to use them. My shopping experience with etrailer was smooth and shipping was prompt.
My wife uses these to carry two small kayaks in the roof of her Subaru. They work great and we very happy with the purchase. She also likes finding her car easier in the parking lots, even with the carriers folded down.
# 5
Yakima JayLow Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
The product seems great but I have not figured out how to get it safely attached to my bars. I have an Agricover Adarac on the bed of my truck and the crossbars are 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 inches square. I thought this would work well since it's for up to 3-1/2 x 1-11/16" crossbars, but it isn't secure on these. I'm going to try and figure out an alternate method for attachment though. Thule Hull-a-port Pro's are the perfect (mounting) solution but don't seem to be made any longer.
I really like these kayak racks. They come fully assembled, and they installed easily on the aero crossbars of the factory roof rack on my 2015 Toyota Tacoma. The "ramps" on the front really do help in loading the kayaks, because you don't have to lift the kayak up as high. I opted to get two sets for our two kayaks, rather than try to transport two with one set of racks, because it seemed like it would be much easier to load. I agree with some other reviewers that the directions are a little cryptic, but the installation process is pretty self-evident. I also agree that the provided S hooks are a bit small (I'm going to replace them with carabiners), but these are minor issues. Overall, the racks are very sturdy, and I like the fold down feature. I also got the locks (not available for many of the Thule racks) because it seems like a small investment to protect the larger investment. My wife and I took our kayaks to a lake today using the new racks, and had no problems loading, unloading, or tying them down. Loading is a two-person job, however, at least for us and our 12-foot boats on a pick-up truck. We carry a folding two-step stepladder to make the reach easier. These racks are well worth the cost, and I would certainly recommend them to my fellow kayakers. And great service from etrailer, as always.
# 6
Rhino-Rack Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
Just installed it. So far so good. Ran 2 bike cables side to side with 4 pad locks to secure it for the summer,
I bought these to support an additional kayak that I purchased for my son to use. They matched a similar pair I bought earlier for my kayak. They are affixed to a roof rack that I also purchased from etrailer.com specifically for my 2015 Acura TLX. Etrailer.com is an excellent source for quality products for your vehicle.
# 7
Rhino-Rack Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
Terrific experience ordering from trailer. Highly recommend this company to anyone seeking to buy rook racks and kayak holders.
The inserts that the tightening bolts screw into pull out. Two of them have pulled out and I am unable use them now.
# 8
Rhino-Rack Nautic SUP or Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On
After attempting to mount the individual rack pieces using the “burglar proof” button head screws with the pin in the recess and the short hex wrench with the hollowed out end I discovered that no real burglar would want the rack but would rather have the kayak so the first thing I did after spending 10 minutes trying to insert the hex into the button head screws with the pin inside the recess and attempting to turn the bolts and continually being obstructed by the support pieces and the paint interference on the bolt heads with trying to get the wrench into the recess I knew it was going to be a long frustrating process so I threw them away and purchased new button head stainless steel bolts and a 4mm extended handle hex wrench to turn them. Smartest thing I ever did. You not only have to mount the rack initially but then you have to put the kayak on the roof and remount all pieces again to fit your boat. All kayaks are different to one degree or another. Having to move the individual support and retighten them with the boat on the rack is even more difficult to do than the initial mounting with these “burglar proof” bolts and hex wrench and you will be happy you threw them away before you started the entire process. Try it for yourself at first and then go get the alternate ones. Worth the little investment and stainless steel will not rust away when you want to remove the rack system in the future. Once the rack is on your vehicle and kayak in rack the tie downs supplied are very good quality. Make sure you use the recommended tie down locations and directions, two kayak body ties and ties at front and rear. Due to numerous kayak hull designs it would be nice to have each support pod have a horizontal swivel built into it so it readily conforms to the hull shape. The overall quality of the system should be the last rack you will have to purchase. I only had issues with the supplied bolts and hex wrench. I gave this rack system a three star because of the bolts and hex tool and the individual pods not swiveling and I haven't at this point transported the kayak anywhere so I am waiting to see how it handles long trips with wind loads and constant loading and unloading performances.
Works great. I’m 5’6” and the pivoting cradles make for easy loading and off loading. I do need a stepping stool to install the carrier on the roof rack.
# 9
etrailer Kayak Carrier w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
On my second attempt to find a carrying rack for a Pelican Mustang 100x recreational/fishing kayak, I took great care seeking out a rack that would provide at least six contact points for the boat. The kicker is trying to get good contact points to securely cradle the shape of the Mustang 100x "twin arched multi chine hull" while also cradling the edge of the deck. Delta kayaks calls a similarly shaped hull a "fusion hull". After doing a ton of google advanced searches for images for a racked up Mustang kayak model, I concluded a J-Style carrier seemed to be a secure solution. The etrailer J-Style - Folding carrier has solved the equation, and for a very reasonable price. Paired with a Sherpa Boat Roller, my 5' 4" wife can load and un-load her Mustang 100x kayak on her own for her afternoon paddles on nearby waterways. Now she needs a cockpit cover to keep out the rain, and her carrying system is complete. And etrailer made it an easy return of the first rack system I tried. Thanks etrailer!
Overall it was a pretty good experience. However I have three suggestions. 1. The washer and wing nut should be one piece. Trying to fit your hand under the rack holding the washer and wing nut trying to screw the two upside down is a challenge. 2. Strapping the kayak down, it’s difficult to get the strap in the middle of the top bar. Perhaps velcro on the top bar and strap would make it easier to begin the tie down. Finally a better video on the proper tie down procedure for the kayak would be very helpful. It’s maybe the most important part of transporting the kayak and the least part of the time spent on the transport instructions.
# 10
Rhino-Rack Nautic Roof Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On
The Rhino Rack cradles, straps and hardware are all good quality and I have no complaints. The only issue I have, and the reason for only a 4 star rating, is the supplied M6 x 40mm Security Head screws are too long for the factory cross bars on my roof rack. When I first installed the cradles if I had tightened the screws all the way, the ends would have dug into the roof and paint, even before I added the weight of the kayak. In checking, I can purchase some M6 x 25mm Security Head screws from Amazon, but frankly part of me feels that for what I’ve already paid for this kit I shouldn’t have to spend another $15 for the correct length screws, plus the package has 20 screws and I only need 8. However, it appears that is exactly what I will have to do. At least they will be stainless steel, rather than the cheaper material the current screws are. Plus I will have extras for when/if the head strips out. I would suggest Rhino Rack consider included in their kit two sets of screws to meet this need. Keep the length they have, Judy add a set of 25mm. I’m still happy with the purchase but not 100%. I do like how the kayak slides easily on the rear felt lined cradles. Plus Rhino Rack includes every tie down strap that you will need, e.g. one each for the bow and stern in addition to two straps intended to secure the kayak directly to the roof rack cross bars. I would highly suggest you get in the habit of using all four straps, you really don’t need to have a gust of wind lifting the nose and tearing the roof rack off your vehicle. Can happen! My brother-in-law lost his roof rack exactly in this manner. So happy yakking and safe travels down the road. By the way I have paired these cradles with the Rhino Rack RTL002 T-Load Hitch Mounted Load Assist and Support Bar for 2” Hitches also purchased from eTrailer. I’ve attached some photos showing my first and second attempts to solve my dilemma. I need to order the replacement screws. First attempt after dark was a large flat washer, then the next day I added some nuts under the large washer. NOTE: Photos may post in reverse order.
We are pleased with the Rhino Rack kayak rack. We are able to get 2 kayaks on our 2020 Volvo V60, and we ate using Yakima crossbars. The kayaks ride without any drama, and the orientation of the kayaks make it easy to load and unload.
# 11
Yakima SUPDawg Stand-Up Paddleboard Carrier w/ Tie-Downs - 2 Boards
I use these 2-3 time weekly for my SUP I fish off my SUP and this rack is a great investment for quickness and ease of strapping. Thing I like best about etrailer is how fast I get my stuff.
After doing some research decided to go with the Yakima roof rack setup for our VW Atlas. Love the look and functionality of it all. Got the SUPDawg paddle board carrier to go with it. Love the locking capability for piece of mind when leaving boards unattended. We are VERY happy with our choice. Drove on highway with two paddle boards and it all went smoothly with zero wind noise whatsoever. Definitely worth every penny. Will recommend.
# 12
Malone Stax Pro2 Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Post Style - Folding - Clamp On
Needed a rack to haul my kayaks on my jeep patriot and this price was unbeatable. Works well, though I did not like using the foam blocks. Good first rack for new kayakers.
We needed a carrier solution that folded down easily because of our garage door height. The Malone Pro2 Kayak Carrier has performed flawlessly over the past year. The kayaks remain stable and never shift even at freeway speeds. The foam blocks fit our crossbar well and offered a rattle free ride, which is nice. The one drawback to this system is how difficult it can be to actually route the straps. Without a ladder, it can be nearly impossible to get the strap over the kayak and hooked into the carrier properly. After you find a system that works for you, it becomes easier but I still think that the stationary carriers are more user friendly in that regard.
# 13
Malone J-Pro2 Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Fixed Arms - Clamp On
Super easy to install, quality built, rock solid paring with crossbars. Zero doubt about safety. Could not ask for a better product. Worth every penny. And they fit perfectly with the Malone crossbars for my 2019 Equinox. Customer Service via chat helped me find the one and only pair that would fit those crossbars. So glad I found etrailer.
I'm writing this review after one year of ownership. I bought two sets of these J-hooks alongside a Malone Airflow 2 roof rack for our 2009 Subaru Forester. I use them to haul a 10ft and 12ft kayak simultaneously. They've done an excellent job and have held up on both short 20-minute drives to local lakes as well as on 10-hour road trips. I'm very satisfied with the combination of the rack and these carries. My only complaint is that you also need to buy the "Aero Style Crossbar T-Slot Fit Kit for Malone Kayak Carriers" pack separately for each set of J-hooks. This part allows you to more securely fasten the hooks to your roof rack. I wouldn't have been comfortable taking kayaks on a road trip using the J-Pro2s without this extra ability to secure them down. I wish the two items came together instead of having to buy them separately. That said, they do the job exceptionally well, so it's not a dealbreaker in my eyes.
# 14
Thule SUP Shuttle Stand-Up Paddleboard Carrier with Tie-Downs - Roof Mount - 2 Boards
Very easy to install on roof rack. Just be careful not to lose one of the rubber pieces that help protect your board. They can easily fall off of the rope when tying your board to the rack.
With a little help from youtube, this was one of the easiest things I've ever assembled! LOVE my new SUP rack!!
# 15
Thule Compass Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
Wry disappointed in such an expensive rack and kayak carrier. It is extremely difficult to reach the carrier to place two kayaks. We are very uncomfortable transporting the kayaks for longer and highway travel. I would not recommend these to others. We likely will purchase something other in the future. I’d rather put the kayak in a car or pickup truck that they would fit in.
We bought this Kayak rack for my mom to put on her 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee so her and my dad could haul their kayaks easier. The mounting hardware was a little tricky at first but once we figured it out, it wasn't bad at all. It holds the kayaks in place nicely. Had no issues with them getting loose or moving around. Seems to be built well and they're very happy with it so far.
# 16
Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On
Wow is all I can say. I put the Malone cross bars on and then this went up in less than an hour. For an older very petite woman, It went up very easy. Yes, be aware shorties: you need a step stool to be able to get the rack up. I have a folding one that will go in my car. Yep so glad I did this. Thank you Paul B for the help in getting exactly what I needed.
Boxes were in rough shape from shipping but racks were in perfect shape inside. Seems well made and hopefully will be a good replacement for my hullavator which have broken gas shocks.
# 17
LockRack Adjustable XL Watersport Carrier - Canoe, Kayak, or 2 SUPs - Side Loading - Universal Mount
The keys are an issue (wish they were metal), but everything else is great! I go sunrise kayaking only and hate putting straps on with cold hands at 3:30 in the morning. I have a Nissan Pathfinder and was able to put this on with another set of Malone J-hooks so that I can have a second kayak when I go with someone. Once the fear subsides of it possibly falling off, you realize how quick and easy this thing is to use. It takes me 1 minute instead of 9-18 minutes to get my kayak up and secure. I have tested it at 75mph without any jiggling or issues. I sat on this in my shopping cart forever and finally pulled the trigger. If you kayak at least 10 times a year or are going at high speeds for extended periods of time in warm weather, totally worth it. If not, well, there are cheaper options out there.
Rec'd earlier this week, so today i will install. The item was obviously a return. The logos are nearly scratched off in places, all the items were loosely thrown in the box, and the 10mm wrench and hex key were missing. i think everything else is there. The keys should be a bright color instead of black, some spray paint will fix that. Anyhoo, i am a little disappointed.
# 18
Malone DownLoader Kayak Roof Rack w/ Lift Assist and Tie-Downs - J-Style - Clamp On
Jeep wangler 2024 4xe with skyone touch top .Amazing the setup for my fishing kayak 12 feet. Everyone was looking at my setup on the road , and it was secure. Big thx to Kurt w & Paul B to recomand this kayak setup 10/10 www.Etrailer.com
I can't lift my kayak onto my roof rack like I could when I was younger. This looked like a perfect answer to keep me actively using my kayak. It is simple to use, but it does take some strength as you have to lift your kayak onto the loader and must lift the kayak up onto the roof rack as it only loads to just before the top, so keep that in mind. The legs need to be about 6" - 8" longer as mine don't touch the ground at the connectors. I can only reach the ground with them lowered to where they are almost out of the holder. They also touch the Jeep, so I am going to have to carry something to fit between the loader and the Jeep to prevent scratching the door paint. I think if the legs were longer and they fit with both the holder/connectors then I think they might not touch the Jeep. I would have given 5 stars if the legs were long enough. It works with both my moulded J rack and my fold down J rack. It works with both style of kayaks, rounded and straight hulls.
# 19
Malone SeaWing Kayak Roof Rack w/ Load Assist and Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On
I am happy with my purchase of the Malone SeaWing with the load assist feature. I use it a lot and it is holding up well. I have square crossbars, and the wing base can be flipped over during assembly to fit square bars perfectly. The load assist really does make it easy to get my 14 and 16 foot kayaks on the car by myself. Another reviewer stated that the load assist feature put black streaks on his thermoformed kayak, and I had the same experience. I fixed that by wrapping heavy duty, double sided Velcro around the areas of contact, and that has worked fine. They are still in place one year later. Four stars because Malone should have covered the load assist sliders in a non-marking material.
The lift assist would not work with a skin on frame kayak. Repeated use would damage the skin. You can see in the pic that the load assist pushes in on the skin, and would not slide all the way into the storage position without lots of pressure on the kayak. Etrailer would not take retuttome inern since I installed the rack, but there was no way to know without trying. So bottom line - don't try to use this on a skin on frame kayak. And don't count on etrailer for returns when they sell a product that doesn't work as advertised.
# 20
Malone SeaWing Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On
Easy loading with a secure tie-down. This is the kayak carrier you should get the first time. I've used flat bars with foam pads - they deform the hull of plastic boats. I've used J-hook style carriers which work well and hold the boat securely without hull deformation, but they increased the windage and are too hard to load on the top of a 4WD pickup. The Malone SeaWings let me slide the kayak on from the rear of the cab while standing in the pickup bed. I use an old bath mat to protect the cab and I can have the boat loaded and tied down in about 5-10 minutes. I also think the load is much more secure than any of the other carriers I've used, especially if the tie-down strap is wrapped around the load bar. The design of the SeaWing puts the main load out on the curved portion of the hull rather than across the flatter area of the bottom and totally avoids deforming the hull. In 90-100 degree heat this is very important to me. Great product. I'll probably get a second pair so I can load two boats on the truck.
I needed a rear-loading rack because the roof rack on my Ford Ranger is up on the topper, and I needed to fit two kayaks side by side. The roof rack bars are 48" wide and the width of the two boats together is about 52". The center clamps of the Malone Seawing fit between the rack towers nicely. The Malone racks have a grippy ribbed rubber surface which is great to keep the boats in place but makes it hard to slide the boats forward. I throw a towel on them to get the boats loaded and then remove it. My Yakima rack has round bars and the Malone racks tilt on the bar when I load the boats. Easy enough to adjust them after the boats are positioned. In this regard the Malone racks would stay flat with square or aero bars. Strapping the boats down is easy. And as always, eTrailer delivery and customer service is fantastic!
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