Best Kayak Roof Racks for a Van

For those people whose idea of having fun is going for some outdoor activities, a better percentage of this population would agree that kayaking is the activity to go for. Kayaking is a low-impact and fun activity whose benefits include improved muscle strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness.

However, most kayaking lovers do not live near a water body such as a river, lake, or ocean. They, therefore, have to transport their kayaks to the nearest water bodies on the roofs of their vehicles, especially vans. Such people have to install kayak roof racks on the rooftop of their vans. If you are such a person, consider yourself lucky because this article provides you with a guide on the best kayak roof racks for your van to ease the kayak transport activity.

Rhino-Rack Nautic 580

You can comfortably attach the Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 kayak carrier on multiple roof rack systems with a bar channel. This feature makes it best compatible with a van’s rooftop. The kayak roof rack is designed with four rubber pads to cushion your kayak against unnecessary shock and ease the mounting process.

Some of the notable features of the Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 include; Two front and other rear pads, a robust core locking system, a large contact surface area (75mm by 200mm) for added stability, and a 180-degree cradle movement which facilitates side mounting. Additional features that make the Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 best for mounting on your van are; the kayak roof rack is UV resistant, waterproof, Rhino-Rack Master key compatible, corrosion-resistant, and mold resistant.

The most compelling benefits of the Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 kayak roof rack are its unparalleled design, convenience and security, compatibility with multiple roof rack systems, strength, and durability. The Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 comes with a warranty of not less than three years and a fixing manual that makes it convenient for you to install on the roof of your van. Therefore, as a kayaking enthusiast, make an appointment with a kayak roof rack supplier and ask for the Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 for a worthwhile experience.

Malone SeaWing Universal Roof Rack Kayak Carrier

Most people who transport kayaks on the roofs of their vehicles consider the Malone SeaWing Universal Roof Rack Kayak Carrier as the most secure kayak carrier on the market. This kayak carrier comprises two V-shaped saddles that you can adjust to hold your kayak securely. People also consider this kayak carrier the most attractive because of its appealing design, the dark-grey saddle frame, and the red mounting straps.

The most notable features of the Malone SeaWing Universal Roof Rack Kayak Carrier include; the fold-down design, jawz mounting hardware, saddle style rack, carbon frame, 70 pounds load capacity, and its corrosion-free frame. All these features make the kayak roof rack carrier adaptive to its function and compatible with a van roof.

Some of the best advantages you can derive from buying the Malone SeaWing Universal Roof Rack Kayak Carrier include; the kayak carrier has convenient installation procedures, occupies minimal floor space, and allows you to carry an additional kayak. In addition, it provides maximum security to your kayak during transportation activities. You can find the Malone SeaWing Universal Roof Rack Kayak Carrier across 1,500 retail and online stores in Europe, Australia, and the United States of America.

Yakima Jay Low Rooftop Mounted Kayak Rack

The Yakima Jay Low Rooftop Mounted Kayak Rack is considered one of the most reliable kayak carriers in the market, especially with vans. This kayak carrier has a low-profile layout that adds less height to the whole system, unlike the other J-style kayak racks. Additionally, its design boasts an inbuilt cam lever and a folding system that can stay attached without taking the kayak rack off. This means that you do not need additional tools to assemble the frame or mount it on your van, which is pretty reliable.

The Yakima Jay Low Rooftop Mounted Kayak Rack has several essential features that make it an excellent choice for transporting kayaks. The carrier can carry up to two kayaks in vertical or a stacked position with a maximum weight of 110 pounds and is compatible with multiple crossbars; it is easy to install, contains extra padding for protection, and has a pretty versatile design that enhances its reliability. In addition, the Yakima Jay Low Rooftop Mounted Kayak Rack retails at a considerable price, and one can ship it from any part of the world.

Malone HandiRack Inflatable Roof Rack

The Malone HandiRack Inflatable Roof Rack is most suitable for a van with no factory rails or for the person who does not like using mounting hardware. This is because when you inflate the nylon tubes, the kayak carrier fastens the twin bars to the roof of your van. The most notable features of this kayak carrier include 5D ring anchor points to ensure the kayak’s security, 3-ply nylon, and a 175 pounds load capacity. In addition, it contains a high-volume double-action hand pump, two tie-down straps, an inflatable roof rack, and a travel bag for storing it whenever it is not in use.

The main advantages that make the Malone HandiRack Inflatable Roof Rack compatible with your van in carrying your kayak include that; it is quick and convenient to install because no additional tools are required. Its versatile design makes it suitable for vans without rails, and the kayak car rack is made of premium quality nylon that is puncture-resistant. In addition, this product comes with the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty which should boost your confidence in purchasing it.

Nevertheless, the downside of the Malone HandiRack Inflatable Roof Rack is that the kayak carrier is less durable compared to the steel racks and that the user has to remove and store it when not in use.

Thule Hull-a-Port Pro Kayak Rack.

In the class of J-shaped kayak carriers, the Thule Hull-a-Port Pro Kayak Rack is the most efficient and comfortable to use. The two cradles attach to the front and the rear load bars, respectively, allowing for space for an extra carrier. Four contact points that have been padded reconcile to keep your kayak vertically aligned while the ratcheting straps keep it in position. When the kayak roof rack is not being used, the lever bends the structure flat to avoid unnecessary friction during travel, improving gas mileage.

There is no doubt that the Thule Hull-a-Port Pro Kayak Rack is compatible with any van. Some of the features to expect when you purchase this kayak carrier include; a double position design to enable you to carry two kayaks at once and a weight capacity of up to 130 pounds. It has a versatile design to fit most Thule, round bars, and factory racks, fully pre-assembled before use to ease the installation process, and the J-shaped cradles fold flat when not in use. In addition, this kayak carrier carries all kayaks in their different shapes and sizes.

T-Motorsports J-Bar Kayak Rack

Another kayak carrier suitable for your van in the family of J-shaped kayak roof racks is the T-Motorsports J-Bar Kayak Rack. Apart from being pretty effective, the kayak carrier is an uncomplicated and low-cost option for carrying your kayak on top of your van. The T-Motorsports J-Bar Kayak Rack has been designed to mount to multiple load bars available on many vehicles today. The most notable features of this kayak carrier include its J-shaped cradle design, two lengths of bolts, and a steel frame.

The T-Motorsports J-Bar Kayak Rack has several advantages that should compel you to purchase the product and mount it on your van for safe kayak carrying. These advantages include; the kayak roof rack has adjustable protection that is padded to ensure maximum safety of your kayak, and its universal design fits all types of crossbars. It can comfortably accommodate two kayaks with a 36-inch width and 75 pounds weight; it is easy to load and unload as well as install and remove because it does not need any extra tools, it is budget-friendly, and it has a steel frame for enhanced durability.

Malone Stax Pro 2 Kayak Rack

This kayak roof rack is another excellent choice of a kayak carrier for your van. Most kayak owners consider the Malone Stax Pro 2 Kayak Rack as a perfect integration of pure artistry, brilliant strength, pocket-friendly pricing, and sophisticated design.

Some of the prominent features to expect from this kayak carrying system include an octagonal aluminium post-construction nylon that is injection molded to enhance stability and a fold-down design to enable low clearance. The system contains 50mm and 60mm mounting bolts, universal fit jawz mounting hardware, and a foam stacker to safeguard your kayaks during travel.

Purchasing the Malone Stax Pro 2 Kayak Rack serves you with several advantages. These benefits include the ability to transport two kayaks at the same time, maximum stability and security of your kayaks during transportation, convenient installation and removal of the system, and corrosion-resistant formed materials for maximum durability. In addition, the Malone Stax Pro 2 Kayak Rack comes with the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty.

The only disadvantages with this kayak carrying system are that you can only carry kayaks with a total load capacity of 50 pounds per kayak. Additionally, the kayaks you take on this kayak roof rack should have a total width of 32 inches which is pretty inconvenient for owners with kayaks that have more width.

Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier

The Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier is an elegant design kayak carrier that is most suitable for SUV vehicles and vans. This kayak rack is designed with some gas-assist struts to help you load and unload your kayak from your van without asking for additional assistance. In addition, the frame extends up to 40 inches to allow you to load and strap your kayak comfortably to the side of your van.

The technical features of this kayak rack include a lift assist, a bow and stern tie-down, 40-inch extension, 75-pound kayak weight capacity, 40-pound assist gas struts, and two center straps with buckles.

The Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier is corrosive-resistant, double-coated steel and aluminium for maximum durability. In addition, the kayak carrier provides maximum protection to your kayak during transportation and comes with a manual containing straightforward instructions.

Conclusion

It is worth noting that before you choose the kayak roof rack to select, pay close attention to its design and style, the number of kayaks you wish to carry, the distance you want to travel, and how often you intend to go kayaking.

The kayak carriers explained above are the best kayak roof racks for a vanand most SUV vehicles around. Therefore, read this article comprehensively and make a decision on the type of kayak carrier you wish to purchase for your van. We wish you all the best in making that crucial decision.