Yakima carriers rack mounts

It seems like regardless of which carriers I go with, even sticking with the current Thule Glide & Slide I'll need to drill a hole in the bottom of the bar and the lower hold down on the carrier for each carrier.  But first, I'll try the stair tread tape.

Have you thought about pounding some "flats" into your lumber rack?  You could also just weld some angle-iron onto it... Heck, forget the angle iron and just have a few beads weled in the spots where the mounts go.  That should help it not slip so easily.

Here is the reply I received from my inquiry to Yakima.  For privacy I removed my name and the name of the Yakima employee.  The response speaks for itself:

Response - 04/21/2010 09:35 AM
Hello,

Thank you for contacting Yakima Customer Support.

To answer your first question, we do not currently manufacture a standard crossbar attachment piece that would allow you to attach Yakima accessories to the 1-5/8 crossbar you've described.

In relation to the second inquiry, the Horizontal mighty mounts are not a strap but rather a preformed piece of plastic designed to fit factory crossbars on specific vehicles, so they will not work on your rack.

The Universal mighty mount probably will fit around the bars, but as you've indicated in your message, it does have limited contact with a round bar so it will be more prone to rotate.  It is likely that you will encounter the same issues you had with the Thule products.

Thank you for your inquiry!
Yakima Support

What I read...

Response - 04/21/2010 09:35 AM
Hello,

Thank you for contacting Yakima Customer Support.

To answer your first question, please buy our entire rack.

In relation to the second inquiry, you are wrong.  We only support SUVs and passenger cars, people don't drive pick-ups with contractor racks or use them for anything other than ladders, lumber, and pipe.

We know we have a problem and we don't care as long as our competition does too.

Please don't bother us again!
Yakima Support

What I read...

Response - 04/21/2010 09:35 AM
Hello,

Thank you for contacting Yakima Customer Support.

To answer your first question, please buy our entire rack.

In relation to the second inquiry, you are wrong.  We only support SUVs and passenger cars, people don't drive pick-ups with contractor racks or use them for anything other than ladders, lumber, and pipe.

We know we have a problem and we don't care as long as our competition does too.

Please don't bother us again!
Yakima Support

   After re-reading the letter from Yakima I would have to say you are 100% correct.  I have some Yakima stuff and wish I never would have bought it and that I should have gone with Thule instead.  The way I have found that the Yakima works best for me is with a pool noodle or plumbing insulation slipped over and zip-tied in place.  But then I also found that 1" electrical conduit pipe works just as well with the pool noodle set-up, and a 10 foot piece costs less than $10.

What I read...

Response - 04/21/2010 09:35 AM
Hello,

Thank you for contacting Yakima Customer Support.

To answer your first question, please buy our entire rack.

In relation to the second inquiry, you are wrong.  We only support SUVs and passenger cars, people don't drive pick-ups with contractor racks or use them for anything other than ladders, lumber, and pipe.

We know we have a problem and we don't care as long as our competition does too.

Please don't bother us again!
Yakima Support

Man, did you "summarize" that letter or is this the original response. If it's original I am totally blown away that they would respond that way. the PNW Thule reps are all here at the shop doing there regional dealer training. I showed them and we all had a good laugh.

J

Man, did you "summarize" that letter or is this the original response. If it's original I am totally blown away that they would respond that way. the PNW Thule reps are all here at the shop doing there regional dealer training. I showed them and we all had a good laugh.

No, no, no.  That was Yarjammer's interpretation of their original response which I posted.  Read the thread in order.

I followed up on the Yakima response with this:

04/21/2010 10:13 AM
Thank you for your response. From your response and the responses I have gotten to my inquire on a number of online kayak forums, you have a real design problem. Seemingly many people even using your own Yakima round bars and mounts are having the same problem. You may want to consider some sort of U-bolt based Universal Mount system. The problem with your not-so universal mounts is the limited bearing surface they provide on a round bar. Also plastic limits the torque one can apply to the bolts/screws. I can easily visualize a metal universal mount with a pair of u-bolts. Round bars are in the 1" to 1-5/8", so keeping a stock of 6 u-bolt sizes should cover all round bar contingencies.  Here is a link to a discussion of the round bar issue:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=4565.0
Thanks again,

I don't know what else the guy could have said, and here is the response:

04/22/2010 08:08 AM
Hello

We always appreciate feedback from our customers.  I have forwarded your information to the proper design team here.

Thank you
Yakima Support

I'll go back and check out the Thule website.  I might as well stick with my current Thule Slide & Glide, but I still need a J carrier so I can fit 2 yaks on the rack.

thule hullaport or hullaport pro. We have 20% off thule right now and free shipping.

Jason
503-285-0464

thule hullaport or hullaport pro. We have 20% off thule right now and free shipping.

Jason
503-285-0464

Quick price comparison with Yakima at REI:
$ 119     http://www.rei.com/product/753408    HullRaiser
$   40     http://www.rei.com/product/722705    Universal mount
------
$ 159
     15  sales tax
------
$ 174

Thule HulaPort
$ 150    MSRP   http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/Watersports/WatersportCarriers/31304.aspx
-   30
-------
$ 120

Sold!  I'll call you around 10am.

Another success story on "As the Kayak Saddle Turns" 

The proper design team:




Sorry, I couldn't resist. 

I put 4" of stair tread tape (2x2") around the round bar under the Thule Slide & Glide carriers and it seems to prevent the rotation.  Time will tell if it stays on the bar in the weather.  The stair tape is really sticky and I cleaned the bars with alcohol before applying the tape.