Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:21 pm

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:31 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:03 pm
Posts: 19
Location: Saint Petersburg, Florida
Hey guys, just purchased 2012 Tandem Island and was wondering if there a cheap way to transport it. I thought about maybe building a small rack on top of my jeep wrangler. Or just build like a t bar going up on the back of my jeep and rest the mail hull on top of it and the front on top of my windshield.
Is it even possible?? Or am I better off just buying a trailer? Was trying to avoid that since they are pretty pricey.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:14 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:34 pm
Posts: 252
Kommy000,

A t bar from your trailer hitch and a pool noodle across your windshield would work. With the top down real easy to tie off to the roll bars.

Just remember to tie the nose to the front bumper. Don't rely on straps in the center. I have had sever problems with weather cocking in a cross wind.

While not cheep, on my last two jeeps use Garvin Industries Wilderness roof rack. At first, I used pool noodles for the Ocean kayak, Hobie Adventure and surfboards.
After getting an Adventure Island bought the Hobie cradles and zip tie the cradles to the rack.

After time if you want the kayak off your windshield a light bar up front should be enough in conjunction with your t bar.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:49 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:03 pm
Posts: 19
Location: Saint Petersburg, Florida
Thanks for a quick response.
How hard it is to get the TI off and on top of the jeep. I know it says that the main hull about 90lbs so its not real heavy, but how akward is it?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 1:32 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:34 pm
Posts: 252
Haven't tried the TI but have pushed a fully rigged AI minus sail atop the jeep with help.
I have done the hull one person with a stop on the spare tire. It not the weight just the bulk.

Used the scupper cart to get close to the back bumper.
Rolled the kayak to remove the cart.
Put a towel under the stern.
Lift the nose to the spare tire.
Check the towel.
Lift the nose to the cradle.
Lift the tail of the kayak and push.

Off is easy. Just pull the kayak back until you are that the center of gravity and balance on your head.
It is easy to lower from your head if you keep the carrying handles installed but I removed the port and starboard handles to reduce the splashing.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:44 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 5:06 am
Posts: 1701
Location: Lake Macquarie NSW AUSTRALIA
Could I suggest Kommy that you use the 'SEARCH' feature within the forum. Over the years this topic has been researched and discussed extensively for both TI and AI with many different designs to suit different vehicles and different storage situations.

_________________
Image

Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 12:26 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 8:48 am
Posts: 159
Location: Southwest Calif.
This is my set up on my Wrangler.
Image

I put rollers on my rear rack and the end of my top rack with a set of cradles on the top rack.

Image

I also had to reinforce the front rack with an 1 1/2 " conduit strap bolted to a 1/4" aluminum flat bar which was then bolted to the windshield column to help with the rack wanting to twist fore and aft with the cantilevered weight of the kayak on top.
Image

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:31 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:34 pm
Posts: 252
Nice setup on your trail basket. I see that you reinforced it with your bike rack, guess it is tied in to your trailer hitch.

Here is the Hobie cradles on a Garvin Rack.

Image

The aka bars are in the cockpit and everything else is tossed in the back of the jeep.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:11 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 8:48 am
Posts: 159
Location: Southwest Calif.
Fly4v wrote:
Nice setup on your trail basket. I see that you reinforced it with your bike rack, guess it is tied in to your trailer hitch.

Here is the Hobie cradles on a Garvin Rack.


That's a nice set up also.
I take it that you don't have a problem hoisting the kayak up there from the ground ?

Have you had any problems with the forward rack mount where it bolts to the windshield frame?

I had my gusset plates on both sides crack through the mounting holes from the stress of the rack moving forward and back while driving with a load on it.
I had to have another 1/4 inch plate welded on it to double up the thickness along with adding the additional conduit strap near the top of the windshield to stop it from flexing.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:52 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:34 pm
Posts: 252
Glad you like it.

This is my second Jeep with a Garvin rack. I haven't had any cracking up front on either.
There aren't any modifications or reinforcements other than what I got from Garvin. I did get it spray coated with a harder knock-off version of Rhino liner.
Did have a problem with the trail/tailgate rack on the last jeep. Had the tailgate sag when fuel and water cans were mounted so I went without the tailgate rack.

I don't have any problems lifting the hull and then tossing all the pieces in separately and it is nice not having to worry about a trailer.

That is until I get a roof top tent and then I need a trailer for the kayak.... or get a trailer tent, then keep the kayak on the roof ... with the possibilities of bears in the tent trailer.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:03 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 2:31 pm
Posts: 3068
Location: Kailua 96734
Fly4v wrote:
Here is the Hobie cradles on a Garvin Rack.

Image
Palm trees?? Laua'e ferns?? Fly4v, are you on Oahu and not telling me?? :cry:

_________________
The Wind Is Your Friend...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:41 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:34 pm
Posts: 252
Sorry NOHUHU but I am not on Oahu or any of the other 200+ islands in the chain.
Sent my wife to Hawaii while I went to the dirt.
If I was, I'd be shopping at City Mill, not Lowe's and Ace Hardware, and I'd be all over your T3 and AI with TI ama projects.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:35 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:34 pm
Posts: 252
Has anyone put either an AI or TI above a trailer tent?

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... -AT-Chaser

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:41 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:31 pm
Posts: 20
Lol. I know where this jeep is parked!! In front of the office at Colony at the Peninsula, in Hawaii Kai. I own one of those units in building 7. What a small world.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:10 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:34 pm
Posts: 252
Nice place to live with the resident marina membership.
The only problem was couldn't drive into the carpark with the kayak on top. It fit in the garage just not through the entrance??? :lol: so jeep+kayak was parked by the office/pool when not no the water.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Jeep wrangler rack??
PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:24 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:31 pm
Posts: 20
Yep. I know the feeling. We tried to get them to build a storage facility for kayaks, OC's' and SUP's down by the water. I kept my water toys in a storage unit by Costco. They were also on the water but cost 500 dollars a month :(


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group