Question:
looking for a roof rack for my 4 foot 9 inch daughter who wants to kyack. the mini does have the flush mount silver bars on the top
asked by: John D
Expert Reply:
You'd begin with a roof rack. I'd recommend a Yakima CoreBar rack constructed of the following parts:
• Yakima 50 Inch CoreBars, part # Y00421
• Yakima RidgeLine Towers, part # Y00145
• Vehicle Specific Fit Kit, part # Y06009
Yakima roof racks are easy to install, easy to use and quite durable. The aero-style crossbars are aerodynamic and won't create a ton of wind noise at highway speed like square or round profile bars do.
With the roof rack in place, you'll need a kayak carrier. I'd recommend the # e98878 etrailer brand carrier, which includes the straps for securing the kayak to the carrier, the bow and stern tie-downs and the anchor straps that can be closed in the hood and rear hatch to provide a convenient and scratch-free location to attach the bow/stern tie downs.
Since your daughter isn't very tall, she might also appreciate a door step like part # RL100660 which would attach to the door striker and provide a safe and easy way to access the vehicle roof. Another option would be a load assist like # Y04085, which is compatible with the CoreBar rack I recommended..
I've linked to demonstration videos for the products mentioned above.
etrailer Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
Rightline Gear Moki Door Step - 400 lbs
RidgeLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Flush Side Rails - Qty 4
Yakima CoreBar Crossbars - Steel - Black - 50" Long - Qty 2
Yakima BoatLoader EVO Telescoping Load Assist - 28" Extension
SeaSucker Monkey Bars Roof Rack - Round Bars - Vacuum Cup Mount - 48" Long