Kayak rack suggestions?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Charlie207

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2021
Posts
1,167
Reaction score
2,125
Location
LFOD, New Hampshire
Those of you that have kayak racks on top of your rigs, what did you go with? I have a set of cheap Amazon kayak racks, that work fine, but aren't particularly confidence inspiring when driving on the highway above 65mph.
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,485
Reaction score
12,970
Location
Richmond, VA
Those of you that have kayak racks on top of your rigs, what did you go with? I have a set of cheap Amazon kayak racks, that work fine, but aren't particularly confidence inspiring when driving on the highway above 65mph.
I don't have a kayak rack, but I have put bike rails and a rocket box on top of mine from time to time and find the weak link to be the factory crossbars. Hard to beat a Thule or Yakima rack system.
 
OP
OP
Charlie207

Charlie207

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2021
Posts
1,167
Reaction score
2,125
Location
LFOD, New Hampshire
I don't have a kayak rack, but I have put bike rails and a rocket box on top of mine from time to time and find the weak link to be the factory crossbars. Hard to beat a Thule or Yakima rack system.

What are you using for crossbars?

Mine look like they want to be strong, but the fore/aft locks are weak, and some don't even engage all the way.

I'm Team Yakima, and have towers from my old BMWs and Saabs, and shared round crossbars. The Yakima crossbars that fit the factory GMC rails are retardedly expensive.
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,485
Reaction score
12,970
Location
Richmond, VA
What are you using for crossbars?

Mine look like they want to be strong, but the fore/aft locks are weak, and some don't even engage all the way.

I'm Team Yakima, and have towers from my old BMWs and Saabs, and shared round crossbars. The Yakima crossbars that fit the factory GMC rails are retardedly expensive.
They are expensive. It's possible that your old towers would work with the landing pads for the Yukon.

I'm still using the factory cross bars but spec'd out a better system that's specifically designed for the factory roof rails on the Yukon XL Denali. Yours may be different since it's an SLT, not sure.

Landing pads: https://yakima.com/products/landing-pad-base?variant=30947581919280
Towers: https://yakima.com/products/skyline-towers-4-pack?variant=30386249924656
Crossbars: https://yakima.com/products/skyline-system?_ga=2.175625126.58180737.1655995238-1579554633.1655995238
 
OP
OP
Charlie207

Charlie207

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2021
Posts
1,167
Reaction score
2,125
Location
LFOD, New Hampshire
They are expensive. It's possible that your old towers would work with the landing pads for the Yukon.

I'm still using the factory cross bars but spec'd out a better system that's specifically designed for the factory roof rails on the Yukon XL Denali. Yours may be different since it's an SLT, not sure.

Landing pads: https://yakima.com/products/landing-pad-base?variant=30947581919280
Towers: https://yakima.com/products/skyline-towers-4-pack?variant=30386249924656
Crossbars: https://yakima.com/products/skyline-system?_ga=2.175625126.58180737.1655995238-1579554633.1655995238


Whenever you get a free minute or two, would you mind taking some pics of your roof, rails, and Yakima setup?

Here's what mine looks like:

Shxj6j1.jpg

wwLSaas.jpg
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,485
Reaction score
12,970
Location
Richmond, VA
Sure, but I don't have the Yakima system for the Denali yet. I've only spec'd it out because I'm running into the limits of the factory cross bars on mine (I need to be able to put 4 bikes on top but the factory bars will only support 2 before they start to bow and feel unstable). I do have the Yakima towers and bars though that I used on my '02 Suburban and they look like they would work with the landing pads I linked for the Denali, so I will probably buy those shortly. Hopefully the same would be true for the pads for the SLT roof rails.

But, at least you can see how the roof rails on the Denali might differ from your setup. Seems like the key will be to find the right landing pads for your rig and from there your old towers and bars should hopefully bolt up just fine.

1656009788717.png

1656009828220.png
1656009863455.png
 
OP
OP
Charlie207

Charlie207

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2021
Posts
1,167
Reaction score
2,125
Location
LFOD, New Hampshire
Sure, but I don't have the Yakima system for the Denali yet. I've only spec'd it out because I'm running into the limits of the factory cross bars on mine (I need to be able to put 4 bikes on top but the factory bars will only support 2 before they start to bow and feel unstable). I do have the Yakima towers and bars though that I used on my '02 Suburban and they look like they would work with the landing pads I linked for the Denali, so I will probably buy those shortly. Hopefully the same would be true for the pads for the SLT roof rails.

But, at least you can see how the roof rails on the Denali might differ from your setup. Seems like the key will be to find the right landing pads for your rig and from there your old towers and bars should hopefully bolt up just fine.

View attachment 373513

View attachment 373514
View attachment 373515

It certainly looks like you have a completely different rail system than I do. My rails slots face up, yours face inboard.

I found some pads that appear to work: https://yakima.com/products/landing-pad-base?variant=31843510091824

I was hoping the pads from my BMWs would work, but no dice.
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,485
Reaction score
12,970
Location
Richmond, VA
It certainly looks like you have a completely different rail system than I do. My rails slots face up, yours face inboard.

I found some pads that appear to work: https://yakima.com/products/landing-pad-base?variant=31843510091824

I was hoping the pads from my BMWs would work, but no dice.
As far as I know, the landing pads are the only components that are vehicle-specific in the Yakima system. Those landing pads will work with both the newer "Skyline" towers and the older "Control" towers. The control towers are the ones that I have (and used on both my 2014 BMW 328d and my 2002 Suburban), and I would bet are what you have from your BMW.
 

mrpeterclark

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2022
Posts
121
Reaction score
133
Location
Boulder, CO
Those of you that have kayak racks on top of your rigs, what did you go with? I have a set of cheap Amazon kayak racks, that work fine, but aren't particularly confidence inspiring when driving on the highway above 65mph.

We make a sturdy roof rack system that allows for flexible attachment and use of the entire roof. Either way make sure you tie down anything that can catch wind to hood straps or a bumper. Uplift is not your friend with the factory nut inserts. If you're interested you can find more info at baselineoverland.com Baseline Overland Suburban Roof Rack Yukon XL 2007 2014_1780 (4).JPG
Baseline Overland Suburban Roof Rack Yukon XL 2007 2014_1780 (31).JPG
 
Top