How Much Weight Can I Put On the Roof of a 2017 Volkswagen Passat

Question:

I am looking to put 2 60lb kayaks on my roof using the Rhino rack system. Can my Passat hold that weight?

asked by: Ted

Expert Reply:

The owner's manual for your 2017 Volkswagen Passat should have the roof weight capacity but if not your dealer would. I cannot access the online version of the owner's manual for your 2017 Volkswagen Passat so you will need to look this up on your own unfortunately. However, the weight of the roof rack, kayak carriers, and two kayaks must all be under the vehicle's roof weight capacity.

With that being said, I took a look at your order and saw you choose the Rhino-Rack Nautic Roof Kayak Carrier part # RR571 which will be problematic for two kayaks as you would not be able to fit two of them side by side most likely on your Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars part # RRVA126B-2 which are only 49" long. The better carrier for you assuming you are within your roof's weight capacity is the Thule Compass Kayak and SUP Carrier part # TH890000.

If you do find that you are over your vehicle's roof weight capacity then you still have an option which is to place part of the kayak's weight on the hitch with a hitch extender, the Yakima LongArm Truck Bed Load Extender part # Y01149. If you don't already have a trailer hitch you can use the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 306-X7317.