Strapping Two Kayaks To A Roof Rack: A Guide

Getting from A to B with a kayak can be daunting if you’ve never done it, so two kayaks can feel like double the effort!

If you’re not sure on how to secure two kayaks to a roof rack, relax! I’ve got you covered.

In this article, I will provide you with a step-by-step guide on strapping two kayaks to a roof rack, as well as some tips on what to avoid doing.

Let’s get started.

A Guide On Strapping Two Kayaks To Your Roof Rack 

Equipment You Will Need

A Roof Rack 

The first piece of equipment that you are going to need is your roof rack. There are a variety of different dual kayak roof racks out there,

and the great thing about them is that they come with the accessories that you need to safely transport your kayaks.

That being said, if for some reason that they don’t, like when you’ve bought a roof rack second hand, you will also need:

Ratchet Straps & A Safety Strap

You will also need two sets of straps, as they are used to actually secure the kayaks to your roof! Ratchet straps are a great option for securing kayaks to roof racks.

You will also want to make sure that you invest in a good safety strap, so that your kayaks are as secure as possible on your vehicle.

The safety strap will ensure that your kayaks remain in place when you’re on the road with the help of your back doors.

Instructions 

Step One – Place The Straps Over Your Roof Rack

To begin, you will first need to place the straps over your roof rack to get them in the right position.

You will need to feed one strap under the crossbar at the front, and the second strap under the crossbar at the back.

The straps that you feed through the front crossbar should fall in the center of your vehicle’s windshield, while the straps that you feed through the back crossbar should fall in the center of the back window.

Note: While you might think the first step is to place a kayak on the roof rack, when it comes to strapping two kayaks to your roof rack, it’s actually easier to set up the straps first.

Step Two – Load The First Kayak 

Once you have got your straps in the correct positioning, it’s time to load your first kayak onto the roof rack.

It will likely take a little while to position, as you want to ensure that there is enough space for the other kayak.

Step Three – Secure The First Kayak With The Straps

Once you have your first kayak on the roof, it’s time to secure it with the straps. You will need to throw both the front and back straps over the top, securing them in place.

That being said, you won’t want to pull the straps to tighten them too much, as you will likely need to adjust it when you place the next kayak on the roof.

Step Four – Load The Last Kayak 

Once you’ve secured the first kayak to the roof rack, it’s time to place the last kayak onto the roof rack.

When you are positioning your second kayak, make sure that you leave a little room between the kayaks. This is a safer option because you don’t want your kayaks to rub together when you are traveling to the water.

Step Five – Secure The Last Kayak With The Straps

Next, you will need to secure the second kayak with the straps. Chuck the second set straps over the kayak before securing it in place with the buckle.

Step Six – Pull The Straps To Tighten Them On Both Kayaks

Once both of your kayaks are on the roof rack, it’s time to tighten the straps on both kayaks.

Step Seven – Make The Final Checks And Wrap The Loose Ends 

Before heading out on the road, you will need to make the final checks to ensure that your kayaks are secured to the roof rack.

Give each kayak a little wobble to ensure that they are tightly secured. Each set of straps needs to be secure and tight enough so that the kayaks are unable to move around when the vehicle is moving.

Following this, you will need to wrap the straps up so that there are no loose ends flailing about in the wind when you’re on the road.

Step Eight – Secure A Safety Strap 

Last, but by no means least, you will want to secure a safety strap. Begin by opening your vehicle’s back doors, as the safety strap will be coming inside of the vehicle.

Next, you will need to chuck the strap over the center of your kayaks, and bring the strap through the inside of your vehicle. Tighten and secure the strap with the buckle inside the vehicle.

Lastly, you will need to shut the back doors on the strap. This will ensure that your safety strap stays in place, and that your kayaks are as secure as they possibly can be before you head out on your kayaking adventure.

Mistakes To Avoid 

Only Using One Set Of Straps

You always want to have more than one single set of straps for securing two kayaks to a roof rack. Some people think this might be unnecessary, but safety should be a priority.

This can result in your kayaks moving when you’re on the road, and could even result in them falling off the roof rack and becoming damaged or worse, causing a road accident.

To ensure that you are being as safe as possible when transporting your vehicles to and from the water, always make sure that you have secured your kayaks with two sets of straps as well as a safety strap for good measure.

Avoid Placing The Kayaks On The Roof First

While you might think it’s the simplest option, you should avoid putting the kayaks on the roof first. It is a much easier alternative to sort both the straps first, and then secure the kayaks one by one.

Placing the kayaks on the roof will only complicate the process, so make sure that you avoid doing this! 

In Summary

So, there you go! Hopefully after reading this article you will feel much more comfortable and know exactly what you’re doing when strapping two kayaks to a roof rack.