placement of roof bars on a pickup

[baggins]

Hi Folks,
This year we have decided to eventually splash out on a couple of sea kayaks (so we aren't limited to kayaking around hire centres).
I have an isuzu D-max pick up with a truck man hardtop. There are no fixed roof bars, so need to buy a set of aftermarket ones (probably Thule).
My question is, due to the length of the kayaks (17") can i fix one of the roof bars on the hard top and one on the cab? or is it better to fit both bars on the main cab? Tried looking at both Truckman and Thule websites, and no answers.
Cheers
Baggins

 

[birchwood]

Personally I would have one on the cab and one on the hard top. If you have them close together on the cab with 17 foot boats you will have a lot of windage- twist effect on the boats.
Good thread over on Song of the Paddle about boats on cars.
My kayak is 17 foot which was fine on my estate car does not sit so well on present car ,206, due to the only possible placement of my current roof bars

 

[baggins]

Thanks Birchwood,
my concern is that the hard top is just clamped on and i wasn't sure whether it was solid enough to cope with the stresses of the windage on 2 boats.

 

[santaman2000]

+1 to spreading them out. If the clamps are done correctly it will be fine.

 

[baggins]

Nice one,Thanks guys.

 

[The Cumbrian]

Funnily enough I bought my D'Max with this in mind. Mine came fitted with roof rails on the cab, and I fitted a hardtop with roof rails too. Now tying my 17' canoe to the top is really easy and only needs two straps, rather than the straps and fore & aft tie downs that I used on my previous vehicle.

Cheers, Michael.

 

[birchwood]

I made some webbing straps with eyelets to go on the wing bolts under the bonnet , they fold underneath when not in use, to tie the front of the kayak down . Tied to the tow bar at the back. Just extra insurance in case of self launching on the motorway.

 

[baggins]

thats great to know, thanks a lot folks.