Rain gutter rack successfully carries 2x 10ft kayaks on highway

[FitfulGoat]

Very nice. Wheels make it a different bike. I love the domane. It’s not the lightest, but soaks up the bumps like no other. I haven’t gone down the gravel rabbit hole yet. Too much money spent on the jeep.

I know the struggle! Bought the bike in 2019. Jeep in 2020. Bikes getting some upgrades next year as this year the Jeeps getting attention. Gotta spread out the costs or the CFO(wife) will start to get grumpy ?

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[WILDHOBO]

I know the struggle! Bought the bike in 2019. Jeep in 2020. Bikes getting some upgrades next year as this year the Jeeps getting attention. Gotta spread out the costs or the CFO(wife) will start to get grumpy ?

Yep. She didn’t say it, but I’m reasonably sure she’s not happy about the new driveshaft on the way.

 

[JcrOffroad]

So the worrying loads with boats on the roof would be from air drag (lift, side loads, etc...) and leverage from the length.

I personally wouldn't run boats on any JT rack (or non-tied in JL rack) but if you are going to do it (and really this goes for any boat on any vehicle rack) tie down the front and back of the boats to the vehicle. A front bumper hoop would work great for the front at least, but you may need to keep the lines from rubbing the hood somehow. I know you aren't worried about your top, but it's just safety for other drivers in case something fails catastrophically.

We rate our JT racks (both long and short) at 100lbs evenly distributed, btw. The longer rack doesn't really add much capacity because the freedom panel rain rails are less robust. Mopar rates theirs at 150 lbs. That's in the range of many RTTs and we are super uncomfortable with a RTT on a Gladiator roof

~Daryl

 

[flipmcgee]

So I searched for someone else who might have done this before me forever, and found nothing. Turns out the kind of person who would run a rain gutter clamp roof rack from China doesn't post about it to online forums.
I figured I'd just take the risk and hope nothing cracks, and if it does fix it. I bought a knock off mopar rack for like 160 of amazon and it just held up for a 3 hour highway trip with no issues and two 55lb kayaks onto.
I'll update if anything changes, but it was solid the whole way so I expect it to last for awhile.

You have solved my exact problem !!! I even have 2 of that same Kayak. I just bought my Gladiator a week ago and have been trying find a solution. I use to carry these on my Grand Cherokee roof so I have the J racks just needed the correct crossbars. The Mopar racks say not for watersports so I was thinking there might might not be a solution other than the bed. can you post any information on those exact racks . Love the blue color I tried hard to find that exact jeep but all that seems to be available are Silver and black in my area.

 

[KWin]

so I drove 65 to 70 and had these tied down tight as a nun in a convent with Rachet straps in back and bowlines in front. they also made in home. I was much more concerned about buffeting than load, so tight tight tight and they will make it at least 6 hours

FYI we all choose our all adventure...


Snailfly Cross Bars Roof Rail Racks Fit for Jeep Wrangler JK JL Gladiator JT 2007-2022 Crossbars https://a.co/d/05z8WnP

 

[Higher_Ground]

It sounds like you are well aware of the potential for it to go wrong, and taking precautions in the off chance that it does.

When I first started kayaking I would carry them on top of my sedan with foam blocks and ratchet straps. I always made sure to have four attachment points, two on the roof and one on each end at the tow points.

One trip home the front tie down shifted. I'm not sure what caused it to shift, but the slack was immediately picked up by my front right tire and snapped the webbing. The front end of a 12' 75lb kayak is not what you want to go free at 60+ mph. Thankfully the other three lines were tight enough to prevent it from moving any more and I could re tie it with spare rope for the rest of the trip.

Moral of the story: redundancy is necessary and carry a spare rope/strap just in case.

 

[Jraygoza]

I have mounted Thule aero type bars and rain gutter foot mounts and have been carrying 2 boats for two summers now. No problem at all. BUT- I also tie down the bow and stern to lower the forces to the roof and rack while driving over 45 mph.

I like your bbq shed, can you send me a pic?

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