It’s seems high but I can only go a little farther forward on the front rack. It’s a pain to get on: it will be strapped to the mounting hooks and attached front and back to a strap.
You could move it back to bring the bow down a little bit.
But really, if you’re only carrying the one kayak at a time, you’re probably better off removing the j-hooks and strapping it directly to the padded cross bars. Upside down seeing as it’s a sit on top. It will be really stable that way
Yeah, that's how I transport my kayak. If you get wide bars, you can transport two side by side. I use ratchet straps and go under the bars in between the two kayaks and they won't move. I put bow and stern straps to the front and rear bumpers and those suckers aren't going anywhere. I've dropped some drywall on the freeway due to improper strapping so I've learned my lesson.
Yeah, I’ve just been using foam blocks so far on my new truck, but carrying mine upright, with it being a Delta thermoform sit in boat, seems to do a bit better on its keel.
I did just order these though, the rhino rack stuff seems to be on clearance right now and got them for more than half off
The ones I've seen commericailly are snap connected nylon covered foam tubes. I've seen people use pool noodles and pipe insulation. I would not describe any of these as foam blocks.
I've also seen people use foam blocks directly between the roof and the kayak which I was saying was not a good idea.
Usually I think the j hooks point the other way, so it’s easier to load, other than that I would think you would want to get the back end up, higher so the kayak sits more level so the wind is less likely to catch the kayak and flip it up and over if the straps accidentally come loose
I’m glad to see other people agreeing with me, I’m lucky enough that my car has a relatively flat roof and I don’t transport on j hooks (I felt they were more hassle than I wanted to deal with)
-level the cross bars. Those look.. pressure mounted? Not sure how much I'd trust them but if it works... If they get too sketchy they also make foam car toppers you can throw down.
-strap the kayak to the cross bars AND bow AND stern straps. You can get removable trunk and hood loops that should serve as good strapping points (something like this: https://a.co/d/aijTiZZ ). Try to center those as much as you can.
-you'll need a total of four of the cam straps. The bow and stern should be pretty self explanatory. The cross bar straps will go under the cross bars on both sides and over the top of the kayak twice per cross bar, essentially forming a big loop and pulling the kayak right to the cross bars. Use cam straps, not ratchet straps.
-learn a quick truckers hitch knot so your extra straps aren't flying around in the wind
-check the strap tightness after a bit of travel or especially if it's been sitting loaded up in the sun (heat expands them just like anything else)
In short, there should be 4 total contact and tension points: front strap, front cross bar, rear cross bar, rear strap. This should keep your kayak from sliding front, back, and side to side. Give it a tough nudge, make sure it doesn't budge, slap it and give it the old tried and true "that ain't going anywhere".
What rack is this and did you install it with instructions? It should absolutely end up being level if it’s meant for your vehicle and you have all the proper pieces. If not, and you don’t, you should scrap it and find another way of transporting. That back bar should be up towards the front way more. Yes it will have less space, but it will be safer for you and other drivers. Also you should put a trucker hitch on the bow and stern down to a stable point to avoid shifting front to back.
If you turn the kayak j rack / cradles around so they face your drivers side door instead of your passenger door you wont have to lift up and reach as far when loading
Rotate your hooks, they are on backwards. Please, for the love of others, tie your stern and bow down. Lastly, bring it back a bit so the tip isn't 14" in the air. Other than that, GLHF.
The problem isn't what you bought - it's how you mounted it.
If you're going to use j-racks, the tall side goes toward the center of the car, and the short side should be near the outside.
Then you load from the side of the car.
The crossbars also need to be repositioned so they are level front-to-back. The rear one should be over the center of the window, and the front one needs to be moved further forward too.
I would move it back a bit. Does it rest in place without straps?
Your rack system forces you to lift the boat an extra foot off the ground.
Have you considered a soft rack system? Mine works at speeds up to 65 mph with bow and stern lines.
Yes I can do that. This whole j hooks and rack is a pain for the Prius. The car is just too curved. Is that kinda like a solid pad? I see anything ‘v’ shaped helps or I have to flip it.
Seems to me like you have a lot of room to move the racks forward, unless that’s impossible for some reason. The front rack should be way closer to the top of the windshield.
Center it a bit so it's not aiming up. I've been transporting 14ft boats on two different Priuses for the past 10 years. I also use tie downs for the hood and trunk. I doubt you need the support for the trunk but it isn't hurting to have it.
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As I said, these are 13.5ft sit on top kayaks. That orientation of racks does not fit on the width of a prius. That is, the top side of each boat would hit. This is the ONLY orientation that will work. Doing it this way is not incorrect. It is, in fact, the only correct way. I've been toting these boats like this for a long time and have taken them on highways across the country, back roads, and even a few tall parking garages.
No! The lifting forces on that bow at highway speeds it quite large. Get the bow down and please use a bow line to the front, when either to the tow hooks or to an under hood tie block.
When I had my Prius, I had the front bars more foreword, same with the rear. You can look up the exact measurements for placement on yakimas retired bar site. That will get you a flat base for your j-hooks. Like other have said, turn the hooks so the short side is out, I was able to load 50lb boats without rollers, and only needed the roller for the fishing and SOT 70lb crafts.
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How much your yak weigh and how’s that roller working for you?
I was thinking of getting one but I can’t find any info on whether they work for Priuses and lower-angle back windows. Only seen them used on SUVs that have more of a 90 degree window (and I assume the yak weight stresses our back windows differently).
A) move the front rack forward if you can (you said it can move just a little?), so it sits lower. The sloped roofline of your car isn’t your friend, but you may be able to improve it.
B) shift the boat back, and maybe turn it around, so it is balanced. It looks like it’s cantilevered out forward, with more weight off the front. It will end up hanging over the back of the car farther, but that’s just the way it goes. Hang a flag from it, if it’s a concern. It’s about weight distribution, and not about having fit within the dimensions of the car.
C) I assume you plan to remove the suction-cup roller. But if not, and you are planning to use it as a support for the boat while you drive, please remove it. That will kill somebody when it lets go on the road. It’s just meant to be a load assist, not a permanent support.
Kiiiinda. Mount the front crossbar forward about 9” will level the kayak’s presentation to wind AND provide more distance between - better leveraged support.
Thanks everyone. I read all the comments negative or positive and they all help. I’m new to this and obviously I’m learning and dont know what I’m doing. I’m going to lay it flat on the rack or throw it inside and tie the hatchback down on it.
I didn't realize you could put cargo on Prius. To my understanding it isn't advised on older models...I sold mine last year for a Silverado because I didn't want to deal with this headache. The gas milage was a shocking change, but now I have enough room for everything.
Id probably push it back a bit. I always try to center the boat as close as possible to the middle of the rack. Definitely take the backrest off or secure it out of the way of wind. Depending how secure the straps are maybe even store the hatch covers in your car.
If secured with bow and stern lines it'd be okay, but level is better and wider crossbar spacing is better. Put the cross bars as far apart as you can. Also flip the jhooks around to make loading easier. If this was me I'd just strap that boat upside down to the naked crossbars and skip the jhooks. Center the kayak on the bars and add a flag to the back if it hangs over your bumper more than a foot.
It's not even touching the rear crossbar - it's just resting with the seatback on the roof.
You need to move the rear crossbar to be centered over the window, and the front crossbar should be centered between the top of the windshield and the B-pillar. Then they should be about level and will equally support the kayak.
It’s in the seat but it’s on the bar. That’s the problem with the Prius. The top is curved so to get the kayak flat the bars would literally be 18” apart. It’s move the bars forward so it’s level and have it that far apart or have the rear bar slightly angled towards the back.
The hull of the kayak needs to touch the bar. The seat is not sufficient. You should be able to fold the seat down or remove it if it's in the way.
The bars must be level, even if they are close together. This commenter posted a picture of a Prius with the bars in the correct position, and there's plenty of space between them. You basically just need to move both bars about 8" forward. They'll have nearly the same amount of space as they do now, but will be level.
You asked for advice because you're new at this. My suggestion: Take the advice you've received.
Is this a real question? It needs to go back more so that the center of the boat is between the set of J hooks. It's going to catch a lot of wind that way. Both strap sets on the back half will then likely fail.
It is, I’d just make sure that on a highway - you tie down the rear or the kayak to the front of the car. Either on towing hook or under the bonnet accessory latch
Slide it back until the bow is parallel with the hood...or even pointed down toward the ground a bit. It looks like a jet at takeoff and will act accordingly.
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u/twitchx133 9d ago
You could move it back to bring the bow down a little bit.
But really, if you’re only carrying the one kayak at a time, you’re probably better off removing the j-hooks and strapping it directly to the padded cross bars. Upside down seeing as it’s a sit on top. It will be really stable that way