Best Way to Transport 2 Paddleboards on 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport Hardtop  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Your Jeep Wrangler with its hard top gives you two options for paddleboard transport. One is VERY low in cost and simple to use.

Roof racks are available for your hardtop and these would allow use of a paddleboard carrier but not the discontinued Thule SUP Taxi Paddleboard Carrier that you referenced (this carrier requires a minimum crossbar spread of 24-inches and the racks only provide 18-inches of spread). The link provided shows these roof racks, which include the most cost-effective option from Yakima, their round bar rack consisting of parts # Y00409 and # Y00101.

However, you also have the lowest-cost option of using a foam block-type carrier that requires no roof rack at all!

Rightline Gear offers their # RL100K10 carrier intended for kayaks, but my contact advised that there is no reason it could not be used for paddle boards as well. You would need two of these. This light-weight carrier avoids the loss of roof weight capacity that occurs when a rack is installed; at under 2-lbs net weight it will leave almost all of the hardtop's weight capacity for the boards. It includes the required tie down straps, but it would be a great and safe idea to also use some additional tie-down straps for your boards, such as # EM31352 from Erickson.

It is a good idea to check your Jeep owner's manual for any indications as to its roof weight-bearing capacity before loading anything on its roof.

expert reply by: Adam R

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