How to Carry Two 65 Lb Kayaks with a 2015 Honda Civic Si

Updated 05/03/2018 | Published 05/02/2018

Products Featured in This Question

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Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

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Curt Hitch Pin and Clip for 1-1/4" Hitches - 1/2" Diameter x 2" Span

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Custom Fit Kit for Inno XS200, XS250, and INSU-K5 Roof Rack Feet

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Inno Flush Feet for Aero Crossbars - Naked Roofs - Qty 4

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Malone EcoLight Sport Trailer - 58" Crossbars - 400 lbs

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Malone J-Pro2 Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Fixed Arms - Clamp On

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Swagman Contour Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Fixed - Clamp On

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Question:

Hey, Im looking to put two kayaks at about 65 lbs each on a 2015 Civic SI sedan, which I cant find a maximum roof weight spec for. Theres a sunroof, which probably complicates things. Do you know if 130lbs is acceptable for this vehicle? If thats too much weight on the roof, does this sound reasonable? Use standard clamp on roof racks. Add a trailer hitch then use a 1 1/4 to 2 inch hitch adapter to add a thule goalpost to the car. Attach the two kayaks between the roof rack and the thule goalpost using 2 sets of J bar attachments. The idea being the load would be distributed between the roof and trailer hitch, so neither would be very close to their weight limit. If you have any other ways of accomplishing two 65lb kayaks on a 2015 civic si sedan, Im interested.

asked by: Tad

Expert Reply:

I looked in the owner's manual for your 2015 Honda Civic Si and was not able to find any reference to what your roof's weight capacity is. Therefore, your best option to determine this would be to contact the dealer with your VIN. Assuming the weight capacity of your roof is rated for the weight of your kayaks/rack/carrier, I recommend using the Inno Roof Rack part # INXB108-115, # INXS200, and # INK642 with two sets of the Swagman Contour Kayak Carrier w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Fixed Arms part # S65148 to carry them. The roof rack has aero crossbars for reduced wind noise in addition to containing locks for security. The kayak carrier has padded uprights to protect your kayaks and tie down-straps to secure the kayaks to the vehicle.

If it turns out that the vehicle's roof capacity is not sufficient for the weight of your two kayaks then I recommend using a trailer as opposed to the hitch extender that you were referring to. The adapter that you will need to attach the 2" shank on the extender to the 1-1/4" receiver tube on your vehicle will reduce the weight capacity by 50% which would not be ideal for your needs.

For a trailer, I recommend the Malone EcoLight Trailer part # MAL53FR which comes with everything you need to haul your kayaks expect for the carrier and for this I recommend two sets of the Malone J-Pro2 Kayak Carrier with Tie-Downs part # MPG117MD. In order to tow this trailer with your vehicle you are going to need a trailer hitch like the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C11391, wiring harness like the Curt Powered Tail Light Converter Kit part # C59236, ball mount like the Curt Class II Drawbar part # C45521, hitch ball like the 2" Hitch Ball part # A-82, and hitch pin like the Curt Class I and II Pin and Clip part # F-4.

You will want to check your owner's manual for the vehicle's towing capacity before proceeding with this option. I have also attached several review videos on the above products for you as well.