Re: [Paddlewise] Roof Racks

At 04:27 PM 11/23/98 -0500,Bob Denton <BDenton_at_aquagulf.com>wrote:
>I'm buying a 99 Doge minivan and trying to decide whether to purchase the
>factory racks or not. I have Yakimas on my current minivan witch has rain
>gutters. What's the best option?
>

Hello Bob,

I faced the same decision when I purchased my '97 Caravan.  I spent time
talking with Thule and Yakima people before I got comfortable with the way
I went.  I remember that the factory roof was rated at 150 lbs. and the
Yakima Q towers at 165 lbs.  I didn't like the way the Q towers were used
so I opted for the factory rack with Yakima Double Cross bars attached.
This arrangement has worked fine for me but it's a pain in the ass to take
on and off so I leave it on all the time.  I don't know if someone makes a
rack that would attach to the factory tracks, but that would be better if
you want easy off and on.

I guess I went with Yakima because I had previously used them on my '88
Caravan (rain gutter mount) and liked the concept of a round bar and how it
fit to the vehicle's curves.  I normally carry two sea kayaks (CD Solstice
& WS Sealution) with Yakima saddles in the front and hully rollers in the
rear.  I think Thule makes much better saddles and the hully rollers are a
bit disappointing.  The reason; the double cross bars don't allow the rear
bar to be located enough aft enough on the van so that when I load a boat
from the rear, it contacts the vehicle before the rollers.  I deal with
this by placing an old blanket on the van rear hatch.

I always tie the bow and stern when car topping and the '97 Caravan
presented a bit of a challenge: NO real bumpers.  I solved this too.  In
the front, there are two (four if you count the center divider) horizontal
openings (we used to call this the grill) to let air into the radiator.  If
you look in the lower openings, towards the outside of the vehicle, there
is a hole in the internal support frame.  I installed eyes here with fender
washers and these are my bow tie downs.  I need cushioning on the lines to
protect the hood.  In the rear, I installed aluminum angles at the place
where the rear bumper attaches and extended them down to just below the
bumper.  Again, I installed eyes.  I think this description may be
difficult to envision so if you don't understand it, let me know and I'll
try again and/or take some photos.  Also, I'm assuming the '99 Caravan
isn't too different from the '97.

In summary, I feel very good about the set up I now have.  I have driven
many miles at 65 & 70 mph without any concern about the security of the
boats.  

Good luck,

Bill Leonhardt
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