Transporting my kayaks.

[Chris Sherwood]

The unloading photo was taken in Keswick but I am not planning to be up there until next Easter.

I leave the cross bars on the roof but remove the sliding rails. This only needs 4 bolts to be loosened. If the cross bars are removed they have to be put back in exactly the right place.

 

[Humphrieshawthorn]

I use a Karitek rack on my pop top to carry our open canoe.
View attachment 162424
View attachment 162423

I already had the Karitek rack that I used on roof bars on a previous car. To get it to work on the VW I had to buy roof rails (glued and bolted to the pop top) angle plates and new flat cross bars. All that was over £300!
The whole lot apart from the roof rails can unbolt and be removed when not required. The roof rails are lower than the solar cable housing, so make the van no higher.

I would recommend the Karitek if you can afford it. I can easily load a heavy (40kg) Old Town Discovery canoe on my own.

Hi thanks for your help but would that fit over a pop top roof. As the roof rail fittings are covered by the roof seal
Gav

 

[Chris Sherwood]

Hi thanks for your help but would that fit over a pop top roof. As the roof rail fittings are covered by the roof seal
Gav

The Karitek roof bars are glued and bolted directly to the pop top roof. They do not use the van roof bar fittings.

 

[Humphrieshawthorn]

Ok great thanks for the advice. Does the supplier fit it to the roof or would that be something id have to do.
Gav

 

[Chris Sherwood]

I am not sure, they are in Scotland so I did it myself. I am sure a van fitter could do it for you.

 

[Chris Sherwood]

Roof Racks - Kari-Tek Products

Roof Racks Kari-Tek Easy Load Roof Racks (ELRR) and Hi-Lift Roof Racks Carrying & Transport Solutions for Commercial & Leisure Why choose a Kari-Tek Products roof system? Built to last a lifetime*, Easy Load and Hi-Lift Roof Rack systems are specifically designed and constructed to stand the test...

www.teal-es.co.uk

 

[drinfinity]

162425[/ATTACH]

I’m thinking to fix the nuts for the delta plates in the rail slots, or maybe fix a stop, so that I can take cross bars off when not required (most of the time) and fix them back precisely when needed. Currently I take the sliding rig off by pulling out the sword pins, but I leave the cross bars and the ‘ears’ on. No tools needed, but still higher than it could be.

 

[Humphrieshawthorn]

I've just

I am not sure, they are in Scotland so I did it myself. I am sure a van fitter could do it for you.

Yeah thanks ill call them and find out the best option and get someone to fit them. Thanks again for all your advice

 

[Johnboy57]

If anyone is interested on this thread, I have started manufacture of a side loading system. Originally for the California, but now supplying to T5/T6 variants.
Poptops will also need a set of roof channels which I can also supply.

I will be in the Trade section at Camperjam this weekend if anyone is going (Vixxos Ltd)

PM me if you want more details or info@vixxos.com

John

 

[drinfinity]

I leave the cross bars on the roof but remove the sliding rails. This only needs 4 bolts to be loosened. If the cross bars are removed they have to be put back in exactly the right place.

View attachment 162425

Ah… Now I’ve looked properly at my new van ones, I see the sliders have bolts through each end, so they don’t come right off with the sword pins like my old car ones. Thanks for the tip!

 

[DaveCrampton]

I removed the end bolts on my Karitek and placed another set of latches, called Sword pins, on instead. This way I can easily slide it off to store. I leave mine in my enclosed garden hanging on the fence, when not on my van.

Roof rack spares

Spares and accessories for your Easy Load Roof Rack including additional straps, nut/screw sets and extra base rails for second vehicles.

www.argyllkayaks.co.uk

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

Great advice Chris and Dave just purchased a used Karitek from eBay for kayaks cheers