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I did a quick search and didn't see anything... sorry if I missed anything obvious.
I carry sea kayaks on the roof. And I don't like being on the highway without front and rear tie-downs.
But the sales guy could only suggest the two screw-in hooks that the car comes with for use on the flat-beds, which doesn't really do the job for me. For one thing, they are on opposite sides of the car: the front one is on the driver's side and the rear is on the passenger side, so that the tie-downs, when pulled taut, will tend to pull the kayaks at a diagonal to the car. Not good to highway speeds!
Does anyone out there put anything like a sea kayak, canoe, or maybe a racing scull on their roof and use front and rear tie-downs? If so, where do you connect the tie-downs to the car?
This could be a deal breaker for me if there isn't anything except the two points -- one front and one rear -- that I can use.
If I get this point sorted out, it's down to arranging financing and I'm ready to sign the paperwork.
Two straps over each kayak that are attached to the roof rack will help keep them straight. One strap on the front and on the back hooking into the tow hooks will keep them from sailing away.
get the factory installed roof rails and you get a stronger mounting platform for the kayak rack and crossbars and you can do more lashing points to the rails themselves
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09 Clubman S Sparkling Silver and loaded with every accesory my wife could pack into it
Hmmm. The car in the dealer's showroom, a Cooper S, had one tow-hook site on the driver's side in the front and on the passenger side at the rear. I'm trying to remember -- I think it was a 50th anniversary edition 'special', but I'm surprised that they'd position the tow-hook sites differently than on the other models. I'll have to go back and look closely at the other cars on the lot. (Maybe it's a 2010 change?)
Another question for those who use the tow-hooks for tie-downs. How are the replaceable body-coloured covers holding up. I think I'd be worried that after a number of times of being popped on and off the car, they they'd become too loose to stay on. (And I really don't want those ugly hooks permanently mounted on the car!)
We have a fifteen foot tandem Wilderness Systems kayak weighing in at 63 lbs. I have the factory roof rails on our clubbie and would like to carry the kayak, but have been a little hesitant up until now.
My kayak is 17 feet, and weighs about 55 pounds. It's a composite glass boat. I don't have any friends with "tupperware" boats, so I couldn't say how well the car would handle it.
I've been loading it (and various friends' boats) on the roof of my old Maxima for about the last 10 years, and have driven with the boats over most of Canada and the USA.
I currently have Yakima racks, but I'm just as happy with Thule gear, as both are quite reputable companies that honour their warrantees and make good stuff that rarely needs any work anyway.
The only difference I have noted with one or two boats on the roof is a significant decrease in gas mileage. And a great need to take a run at long, steep hills. Even passing transport trucks, I haven't noted any issues from side winds; although the Maxi *is* a heavier car than the Clubman.
With good racks, your straps done tight, and front and rear tie-downs, I can't see why there'd be any problems with a boat on the roof at highway speeds.
For my heavy hauling :-)
