Roof Rack and Kayak Carrier Fits on 2012 Toyota Prius With Solar Roof
Updated 06/24/2014 | Published 06/21/2014
Question:
I am considering purchase of the SportRack Semi-Custom Roof Rack for Naked Roofs - Square Crossbars part number: SR1002 for my 2012 Prius with sun/solar roof. Will the Thule Roll Model Roof Mounted Kayak Carrier System Code: TH884, work with/attach to this roof rack or do I need the Thule roof rack? Which compatible kayak carrier would you recommend for the SportRack roof rack? The kayak Ill be transporting is 10foot long, 30inch wide, 47 lbs. Thanks.
asked by: Julie
Expert Reply:
You can potentially go in either of two directions for transporting your 10-foot kayak on your 2012 Toyota Prius with the Solar/Sun roof option. One is to install a compatible aftermarket roof rack such as the SportRack # SR1002 that you referenced (and yes it will fit on your Prius but you cannot operate the sun roof with it in place). The other route is to skip the rack entirely and use a lightweight foam block type kayak carrier like those shown on the link provided, such as the SportRack # SR5527.
Foam block kayak carriers offer you two primary advantages: lower cost and lower weight. These foam block kayak carriers do not require a roof rack be in place on your Prius; they can mount to a naked roof and they place just about no weight burden on the vehicle, leaving more of its capacity for the load of your 47-lb kayak. (Even so, it is recommended that you review your owner's manual or contact your local dealership with your VIN number to confirm the Prius' roof weight capacity and to confirm that it can safely be used with this foam block type of carrier.) It is necessary to locate the two foam blocks on metal portions of your roof, not on the glass portions.
In contrast, the other route (roof rack + kayak carrier) will cost substantially more and place a greater overall weight load on the vehicle. Please note that the Roll Model cannot be used on the SportRack # SR1002 roof rack; you will need to instead use the Thule Traverse square bar system consisting of parts # THLB50, # TH480 and # THKIT1566 in order to use the Roll Model. Again with this Thule rack installed you cannot operate your sun roof.
With this square bar rack in place you can use the Roll Model or any of the other kayak carriers shown on the included link. All of these will fit square crossbars.
