Kayak rack suggestions?

[Charlie207]

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]

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.

 

[Charlie207]

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]

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

 

[Charlie207]

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:

 

[Geotrash]

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.

 

[Charlie207]

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.

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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]

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.

 

[Sparksalot]

The biggest challenge I have with my kayak is the small separation between the bars compared to the 16.5 ft hull. Keeping it from weathervaning, especially from semi trucks, is my biggest concern.

It only weighs 65#.

 

[mrpeterclark]

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

 

[Charlie207]

I've checked out your website a few times for bumpers and the racks, but it's just too far out of my price range at this time. If I had the $$$ I'd certainly be placing some orders.

 

[s360guitarist]

The issue I am having is the factory installed roof system. (2009 Yukon XL Denali) The rails are flush/no gap and this causes the current cross bars to be pretty flush with the top of the roof. Hence, I can't use the J-Hooks that I used with my 2004 Tahoe z-71 as there is not enough clearance and I think they will rub.

I get that the Denali looks nice and all as it is chrome etc., but that does not mean it is bada$$.

Just looking for crossbars that I can fit to the existing flush rails of the Denali (w/o going big money).