Frame for Kayak Cradle

OK, I am sure someone has posted on this but I cant find my keys in my hand, so there you go... I got a roof rack (Thule eurobar) and have ordered a kayak cradle.. Now the question, anyone have a good guide on setting up the rails to get the cradle out to 67 inches it needs... I have seen videos on what people have done, but would love some closer inspection. If anyone has done it, or knows where to find some details, I would be highly appreciative.

Roger

Do you mean how/where to mount your crossbars? If that is the case it is more vehicle specific than anything else. Are you mounting to existing rails or directly to the roof. Moving your bars on factory rails is super simple just slide the mounts where you want them. If mounting directly to the roof/sill you may have no options.

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What kind of vehicle Roger?  Someone with the same vehicle may be able to post up some pics for you.

Rack is on the roof of my Toyota Rav4.  My issue is the kayak cradle I am getting. I see people using them, but have some sort of rail system to push them further forward and back ( I am guessing for stability and fit of the kayak mine is a Pro Angler 12). I cant seem to find any info on building that system, as all of them I have seen have been DIY jobs.

Roger

I got a back ache just thinking about heaving a PA on an SUV. custom might be your best bet, let me know if you need some help, gotta come to me though

Is your cradle a Thule hullivator - is that what slides?

No, I am using the universal side loader, kind of a bar with a tripod to tip it up and lift the back onto the rack. 

here is a picture of what I am seeing

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KT0zljj0jvY/hqdefault.jpg

No, I am using the universal side loader, kind of a bar with a tripod to tip it up and lift the back onto the rack. 

here is a picture of what I am seeing

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KT0zljj0jvY/hqdefault.jpg

Any reason you couldn't have something on the back to lift one end onto then lift the far end and slide on.

No, I am just trying to get the cradle on in the correct position. either way I get that sucker up there the cradle still needs to be out front and back of the bars.

So funny that Hobie has not seized this chance to get something on the market that clips in or can be used. Seems like people are customizing to do it..

No, I am just trying to get the cradle on in the correct position. either way I get that sucker up there the cradle still needs to be out front and back of the bars.

So funny that Hobie has not seized this chance to get something on the market that clips in or can be used. Seems like people are customizing to do it..

I can custom build you one for costs of materials only.... the catch is I'm in Garibaldi Oregon (Tillamook). The plus side is if you can make a few days out of it we can fish.

*Edit.

The ones like this are custom he used channel from Home Depot. He mentions it 15 seconds into the video.


If I was to guess, he is using Superstrut. http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings-Struts/N-5yc1vZbm55/Ntk-Extended/Ntt-channel?Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&NCNI-5  Most likely this size. http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/d0/d0e61ca6-6a94-4ece-b9b9-d4fa1b5ce5c4_1000.jpg

I made a rack with this stuff once. It is good stuff and galvanized.  All the holes make it very adjustable. U bolts make it easy to mount on round or roundish bars.

or these:


Get a couple of these so that big a** boat does't fly through my windshield if that homemade rack fails. 
https://www.amazon.com/ProGrip-404480-Rope-Lock-Down/dp/B006JXSOSW/ref=pd_sim_60_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B006JXSOSW&pd_rd_r=T3QYJXCZE81XT54PEATG&pd_rd_w=6kwpo&pd_rd_wg=kq7M3&psc=1&refRID=T3QYJXCZE81XT54PEATG

I found a better picture of the one you had posted Roger.  This is the same rack just without the boat on it.  Looks like some square channel with tabs to run the screws down through to the Thule rack.



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This may be a dumb question, I'm not used to boats that weigh as much as a pa. Why extend the cradles past where the Thule crossbars are anyways. I have carried 15'6" 70lb boats on a set of cradles on top of an outbacksport for years and thousands of miles without any issues. My current boat rides a hullevator which is just a fancy cradle with the crossbars as far apart as my forester will let them.


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I have a well-deserved reputation for over-thinking everything, but even I am having trouble understanding the issue you're trying to solve.

If you're worrying about the bow or stern lifting when you're driving, moving the cradles further apart isn't going to help much - that's what the tie-down straps and the bow and stern lines are for.

If you're worrying about the wind forcing the bow or stern to the side (putting the kayak at a diagonal) that's what the cradles, the tie-down straps, and the bow and stern lines are for.

You might go back to wherever you bought the cradles and ask them if the distances available with your stock system are adequate.

Well, ok, that is a better option (figuring if I need them at all... I do tend to over do things. And as really people here just tried to answer my silly questions. I will check with them today and ask... I can always move the bars further apart, and tie things down... I used to White water kayak, and while the kayak was around 50 pounds, never had issues....


Roger