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The most efficient way to carry multiple whitewater kayaks
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Technical Details
- Four boat maximum capacity- Folds down flat when not in use
- Easy carrier transfer from vehicle to vehicle with universal hardware
- Includes one pair ratcheting tie downs, two straps and buckle protectors
- Fits Thule standard, Rapid Aero, Xsporter bars, Yakima and most factory installed racks
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By John S. Vining (Fiddletown, CA)
Although not the most ideal means to transport your kayak, it sure is a lower cost alternative to the high dollar options. The Thule 830 Stacker fits onto virtually all roof racks; Thule, Yakima as well as most factory. I purchased this one to fit on the factory rack of my 2006 Toyota Highlander and was not disapointed.
The quality of material and craftsmanship is subpurb. The instructions were clearly written and the diagrams were large enough and easy to transition words to pictures.
The rack was installed in less than half an hour and if you have good strong hand grip, no tools necessary; although I would recommend that you take at least one turn with the aid of a pair of plyers just to ensure that the rack does not slip. If you are going to put this on a set of Yakima round load bars you will definately need to use plyers as I found out when I transfered the stacker to the Yakima bars on my pick up truck. Even after tightening with plyers the racks can be rotated front to back, not so on my Toyota; and I have no experience with the square Thule bars.
I really like the idea of being able to lay the rack flat on top of the roof when not in use. The previous rack that I had stuck up like a mohawak hair cut. So, if I didn't want to look at it I had to remove the entire rack, then re-install it for the next trip. With the Thule 830 you just loosen one nob and lay it down.
The only draw back to this rack is not in the design or the quality, it's in the actual loading of the kayak on top of your vehicle; the boat has to be transported on one of the side edges. Manuvering the boat into a vertical position can be a bit daunting by yourself, but it can be done. Better if you have a helper though to keep it stable until you can get the first strap in place.
Speaking of straps, the ones that come with the Thule are EXCELLENT! The buckle holds fast and the padded cover for the metal does not cause damage to your boat or car unless you are very careless. The fore and aft rope/hook lines are the absolute BEST. The old strap type that came with with my Yakima system always fluttered, made noise and in one instance wore the paint on my vehicle. Not so with the Thule rope style. The fastening device automatically ratchets secure and even after traveling 700 miles in one trip did not come loose.
Securing your kayak to the rack can be a hit and miss proposition. I tried the suggested tie down method that came with the instructions but was a bit doubtful as to the side strength of the rack when hauling only 1 kayak. I am sure that this has been tested by Thule, just me trying to over engineer everything. Anyway I did use the suggested method on one trip, but I found that the side of the kayak resting on the bars "walked" away from the rack 2-3 inches; part of the trip was in high cross winds and I guess I could have tightened the straps more. This trip, however, prompted me to devise my own strapping method which involves a loop around the base of the Thule rack, under the downside edge of the kayak, over the top to the rack. This method I found to keep my boat in place with no lateral travel.
If you are going to haul 2 boats you may wish to purchase a second set of fore/aft ropes, or you will have to devise a way to loop the nose & tail of both with one. You can get by with the single set of straps, but a second set may be more to your liking as well. Securing 2 boats was a bit more of a challenge, but once completed was as secure as hauling a single. What I did was mount the first boat and secured with the Thule recommended method using 1 strap. Then after the second boat was on top of the car I tied both boats together at the second tower, then removed the first strap on the first boat and repeated the double tie. Vola!! Ready to roll.
In conclusion, if you need to haul 2 kayaks and don't have the roof space, or the cash to buy 2 mounts to put them side by side, I highly recommend the Thule 830 Stacker, you won't be disapointed.
By D. Manning
I bought this for a 500+ mile drive to Minnesota and we had two kayaks (11' and 15') strapped down to it and it worked beautifully! I would recommend buying an extra set of the pulley cords though because those were really handy! It can be done without them but on my next trip I will definitely be buying some more of those! Overall, the carrier worked great! It did everything it promised!
By J. Madison (Southern Oregon Coast)
These units work great. I secured them to my jeep cherokee luggage rack and with them I can carry both of my kayaks (13 ft each) on the roof in a secure and safe mode. The stackers work great and I highly recommend them.
By pv (va)
Just FYI, you can put two kayaks on with only one rack, as long as you buy some extra straps for the second boat. I bought two, since we have two kayaks, but only needed one. That said, I did need the second set of straps, ropes, and hooks. When we eventually buy two more boats (total of 4), I will only need to buy some extra straps and we will be all set.
By Bernard E. Bradley
This is a good deal for someone wanting to carry a couple of Kayaks, without spending a small fortune.
The only problem was, the instructions were a little vague, and no pictures to guide you. There are drawings, but leave a lot to be desired.
They claim you can carry four kayaks, but until I see a picture of how to do this, I would only carry two.
Still, it is a good deal to take your kayaks to the water.
I'm glad I made the purchase, and the dealer was great, and the price is reasonable
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