I'm trying to come up with the best solution for transporting 2 18' Fiberglass kayaks. Trips will often be a few thousand miles at highway speeds. The ideal solution would be these cross bars because I already have the Thule J-racks.

Two questions:

1. How can I find out how the factory rails are attached to the vehicle so I can decide whether they can handle the stress I'll put on them.

2. Those cross bars come in 50 and 58 inches. Any opinion on which would work best for the ET?

Thanks again!

Lyn

 

Here's a picture of my 52" Crossbars on the factory Roof Rails on a 2010 ET.

There are 6" of bar sticking outside of the Roof Rails on both sides. I hope that helps figure out which one you need. I wanted to go bigger but the next size up could hurt your head

 

sea kayaks side by side (I have J rax) with the 52" loadbar?

 

I haven't tried it but I am pretty sure I can carry two kayaks side by side on my 52" bars. There's plenty of room on the rack. I just need to get some more of those foam bumpers to do it. I'll post pictures when I get a chance to try it. On that trip, adding the bikes will not be possible since the kayaks would need the full 52" bar. I think they might stick out past the bars a bit.

Since my big kayak is pretty wide(36"), I have been able to stack one kayak on top of the other, too. We found out long ago that we were better off with a big Tandem boat instead of two smaller kayaks. I like to paddle and my girlfriend likes to sightsee. This way we stay together on the trip.

I would think with J Rax you have plenty of room since it's up on it's side. I haven't tried those yet.

 

My kayaks are only 21" and lay differently...I will have to experiment at the rack store, but suspect the 52" will work. Thanks for all your help!

Lyn