How sturdy are the roof racks

[collinsz]

So Ive done all of the research and Im ready to buy my roof racks. I have one last question. Everyone talks about the 48" thule tracks, but I can only find them in 42 or 54 inches. I measured my roof and it looks as though I have around 52 inches to work with (crew cab), which means I need to get the 42 inch model.
Also Do you think they are sturdy enough to put two kayaks up there with no support in the bed of the truck? Im gonna ratchet them to the thule kakak carriers and tie them in the front and back. Hope that works..

[Mylt1]

factory rack holds 125lbs. what does thule say about there racks?

[collinsz]

I think that thule says 150 lbs for weight on top. But Im worried about the air pushing up on the kayaks while driving on the highway. I dont know how much pulling those flare nuts can take. any suggestions?

[raceline]

i carried a light weight kayak & i have the thule traks installed and you will need to run a cord off the rear bumper & one at the front bumper to keep it from going up and down , not because the racks cant hold it (they can easy) its just to long to support on that short of a span , good luck

[khmaiaznboi89]

i've laid on top of my factory rack and i weigh 135 maybe more i think i gained weight

[collinsz]

My other question is that people say that they installed a 54" thule track but I dont see that they make that size. Can I buy the next size up and chop it down to size?

[WeeHooker]

Yea, you can cut Thule bars to any size you like. Mine are 52".
FWIW,I hauled yaks, canoes and aluminum boats regularly on my factory racks w "yakathule" bars last year. Many were big/heavy boats ( i.e 17'4"-120#). Hauling them upside down helps the find force push them down/into the racks vs lifting them. Also , I do use bow lines but only on boats longer than 14' and/or of flexible materials. ( I've hauled 14' aluminum boats on my Tacoma's roof racks for thousands of mile with no bow line at all.) I do use good rachet straps at the mid section of the boat though. Never had a problem.
Having said that, I'll pass on a few tips I've learned over the years of "car topping" boats that make it easier.

First, make yourself a set of nylon tie in loops to attach to your truck as follows:
Get a couple of 16+/-" 1"wide nylon strapping pieces (like off the ends of those rachet straps) and double them over into a loop. Then, punch a matching hole in the ends ( a hot nail works good here) big enough to put a 1/4" bolt through. Now, go under your hood and find one of your forwardmost fender attaching bolts ( or a hole in the fender flange) on both sides of the engine compartment. Pull a fender bolt and reinstall it going through the doubled nylon first. (or install a new bolt and nut in a vacant hole to accomplish the) same. What you will end up with is a nylon loop that is now fixed to the fender. This loop can now be flipped in or out of the hood as needed, to provide a secure tie in point that keeps ropes off your hood, fender , etc. This ten cent fix works GREAT and disapears when you don't need it.
If you want to go a step further, make a V or Y shaped bow line for your favorite boats and end them with (3) Carabinas. This allows you to quickly clip into those truck loops and the boat. It has the added benifit of putting your boat in the sme exact location on the racks every time AND iliminates chances for bad knots. hth

[stillookin]

Originally Posted by WeeHooker

Yea, you can cut Thule bars to any size you like. Mine are 52".
FWIW,I hauled yaks, canoes and aluminum boats regularly on my factory racks w "yakathule" bars last year. Many were big/heavy boats ( i.e 17'4"-120#). Hauling them upside down helps the find force push them down/into the racks vs lifting them. Also , I do use bow lines but only on boats longer than 14' and/or of flexible materials. ( I've hauled 14' aluminum boats on my Tacoma's roof racks for thousands of mile with no bow line at all.) I do use good rachet straps at the mid section of the boat though. Never had a problem.
Having said that, I'll pass on a few tips I've learned over the years of "car topping" boats that make it easier.

First, make yourself a set of nylon tie in loops to attach to your truck as follows:
Get a couple of 16+/-" 1"wide nylon strapping pieces (like off the ends of those rachet straps) and double them over into a loop. Then, punch a matching hole in the ends ( a hot nail works good here) big enough to put a 1/4" bolt through. Now, go under your hood and find one of your forwardmost fender attaching bolts ( or a hole in the fender flange) on both sides of the engine compartment. Pull a fender bolt and reinstall it going through the doubled nylon first. (or install a new bolt and nut in a vacant hole to accomplish the) same. What you will end up with is a nylon loop that is now fixed to the fender. This loop can now be flipped in or out of the hood as needed, to provide a secure tie in point that keeps ropes off your hood, fender , etc. This ten cent fix works GREAT and disapears when you don't need it.
If you want to go a step further, make a V or Y shaped bow line for your favorite boats and end them with (3) Carabinas. This allows you to quickly clip into those truck loops and the boat. It has the added benifit of putting your boat in the sme exact location on the racks every time AND iliminates chances for bad knots. hth

This is a sweet trick.

[collinsz]

thats a great idea, thanks. Im definetly going to use that. I just hope that the thule 'tracks' that are only attatched to the sheet metal of the roof with flare nuts hold up... Almost wish I had just got the LE with the factory rack so I didnt have to worry about it.

[WeeHooker]

New tiedown pics added on request: