Kayak tie-downs
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 69
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From: Fort Worth, TX
Kayak tie-downs
I'm getting ready for a trip where I plan to take our very long (18') kayaks. I have a Thule XSporter truck rack and plan to use the front most rack along with a Yakima roof rack on the truck cab. I have some Thule tie-downs to tie down both the front and back of the kayaks, but the tow hooks are huge on the F250. What hardware do you guys use to tie down the front and back of kayaks or anything else you may have on the roof?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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Long time kayaker here
I always simply ratchet strapped on to the rack itself. Simply hooked around a base to keep it from sliding side to side. No hardware needed. Never did anything on front and back. If you really tighten down I think you will feel comfortable without.
I always simply ratchet strapped on to the rack itself. Simply hooked around a base to keep it from sliding side to side. No hardware needed. Never did anything on front and back. If you really tighten down I think you will feel comfortable without.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
Long time kayaker here
I always simply ratchet strapped on to the rack itself. Simply hooked around a base to keep it from sliding side to side. No hardware needed. Never did anything on front and back. If you really tighten down I think you will feel comfortable without.
I always simply ratchet strapped on to the rack itself. Simply hooked around a base to keep it from sliding side to side. No hardware needed. Never did anything on front and back. If you really tighten down I think you will feel comfortable without.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
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Not sure if I'm following your question correctly or not, but what would be wrong with just using a rope to tie the front of the kayak to the tow hooks and the back to the hitch? Don't see why you would need any hardware for that part. Google "trucker's knot" to see how to get the rope nice and tight. I would also ratchet strap to the rack as above.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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Well if you have a loose rack you a have huge problem whether or not a kayak is on top of there
Sure, always better to be safe than not. One thing to consider, that webbing stuff will make an awful loud noise if you run it on the front of your bow. If I was to tie down the front I I'd use rope and hardware is irrelevant with rope.
Sure, always better to be safe than not. One thing to consider, that webbing stuff will make an awful loud noise if you run it on the front of your bow. If I was to tie down the front I I'd use rope and hardware is irrelevant with rope.
New User
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 21
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Long time kayaker here
I always simply ratchet strapped on to the rack itself. Simply hooked around a base to keep it from sliding side to side. No hardware needed. Never did anything on front and back. If you really tighten down I think you will feel comfortable without.
I always simply ratchet strapped on to the rack itself. Simply hooked around a base to keep it from sliding side to side. No hardware needed. Never did anything on front and back. If you really tighten down I think you will feel comfortable without.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 8
From: Central New York
this is generally the best way to go. It does seem scary at first but with decent straps it really is the safest. We are in to rowing and at the regattas this is how everyone ties town those boats as well. Two straps directly on the rack is all you need even on very long, very expensive boats. I wouldn't recomend strapping the ends because of the weird stresses it puts on the boat
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