Fab Fours Overland Rack With A 15' Kayak... Doable?

[hreyhrey]

Sooo, my friend is offering me his Fab Fours Overland Rack and I am VERY interested (looks sweet, can hold gear, etc)... But I will NOT be getting the extended roof rack part. How will this function with a 15' kayak since I want it centered when driving but all the "clamp down weight" will be near the back in the bed. I'm afraid of it tipping over or getting unbalanced.

I suppose it would be something kind of like this? But the gladiator is much smaller than the truck shown here so I'm a bit worried.

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[Deadeye]

It may bounce enough that it could hit your roof, but I'd be most concerned about it damaging the hull of the boat over time.

Easily fixed though. Just buy a block of foam and notch it brace your haul. Thick enough so that it makes solid contact with your top. Run a strap through the foam and around your boat. REI used to even sell them as pre-made "roof racks" for like $15 bucks.

 

[hreyhrey]

It may bounce enough that it could hit your roof, but I'd be most concerned about it damaging the hull of the boat over time.

Easily fixed though. Just buy a block of foam and notch it brace your haul. Thick enough so that it makes solid contact with your top. Run a strap through the foam and around your boat. REI used to even sell them as pre-made "roof racks" for like $15 bucks.

Is there any way to do it while taking the roof off?

 

[Higher_Ground]

Honestly I would avoid using a foam block directly on the roof unless you don't care about scratches.

Over the years I evolved from foam block / pool noodles and ratchet straps to a yakima roof rack and j-bars with my honda accord. My roof is in pretty rough shape, though I was not always able to clean off the kayaks before putting them up top. I would leave a towel between the kayak and roof since the belly of the boat was fairly close to contacting it. With the rack it's not an issue.

With a 15' boat you should probably have it anchored twice in the middle and then have each end tied down in case either of the main straps fail. You don't have to crank down on the end tie downs, just enough to keep it from flying away. The tension from doing that should put the bow as close as it's going to get to rubbing the roof.

My rookie mistake was making the ratchets too tight. On a fairly long trip at 70 mph in the 100°F heat the straps started to deform the plastic. I suppose that's why most of the kits come with spring loaded cam straps instead. Lesson learned. I've also had them stretch when soaked in the rain.

I would definitely use the foam /noodle on the rack itself where the kayak sits. Or see if you can attach a cradle of some sort.

 

[hreyhrey]

Honestly I would avoid using a foam block directly on the roof unless you don't care about scratches.

Over the years I evolved from foam block / pool noodles and ratchet straps to a yakima roof rack and j-bars with my honda accord. My roof is in pretty rough shape, though I was not always able to clean off the kayaks before putting them up top. I would leave a towel between the kayak and roof since the belly of the boat was fairly close to contacting it. With the rack it's not an issue.

With a 15' boat you should probably have it anchored twice in the middle and then have each end tied down in case either of the main straps fail. You don't have to crank down on the end tie downs, just enough to keep it from flying away. The tension from doing that should put the bow as close as it's going to get to rubbing the roof.

My rookie mistake was making the ratchets too tight. On a fairly long trip at 70 mph in the 100°F heat the straps started to deform the plastic. I suppose that's why most of the kits come with spring loaded cam straps instead. Lesson learned. I've also had them stretch when soaked in the rain.

I would definitely use the foam /noodle on the rack itself where the kayak sits. Or see if you can attach a cradle of some sort.

Appreciate the response. My issue with the Fab Fours Overlander is the anchor WON'T be in the center of the car but in the truck bed so I'm worried about stability issues.

 

[booneja]

If your intent is to have the kayak centered over the vehicle rather than centered over the rack to avoid excess hull overhang from the tailgate, you could have issues with stress on the hull at the first contact point.....you could try using a hood tie down to minimize but you will have a rope in field of vision, if that is not an issue, then no worries, but I would rather center the hull on the rack (would be no stability issues if the hull is centered on the rack) than on the vehicle if you still want to remove hard top....just my thoughts, best of luck

 

[hreyhrey]

If your intent is to have the kayak centered over the vehicle rather than centered over the rack to avoid excess hull overhang from the tailgate, you could have issues with stress on the hull at the first contact point.....you could try using a hood tie down to minimize but you will have a rope in field of vision, if that is not an issue, then no worries, but I would rather center the hull on the rack (would be no stability issues if the hull is centered on the rack) than on the vehicle if you still want to remove hard top....just my thoughts, best of luck

No no, I want the kayak centered on the rack. I'm just worried it will be in a weird spot where I can't tie it down to the front or too much will be hanging out off the back

 

[DougM55]

Shouldn’t be a problem. I have the Putco rack with Thule quick disconnect feet attached. Works great! My kayak is 14’.

 

[booneja]

No no, I want the kayak centered on the rack. I'm just worried it will be in a weird spot where I can't tie it down to the front or too much will be hanging out off the back

Ack....then you should not need to worry about stability, I have a 16' sea kayak, and have no issues as long as you have it secured to actual kayak supports, not just foaming it.....I have considered the Fab fours design, but am going a different route.....best of lick with your rig.

 

[hreyhrey]

Shouldn’t be a problem. I have the Putco rack with Thule quick disconnect feet attached. Works great! My kayak is 14’.

THANK YOU!

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