I am trying to figure out what is the best vehicle to purchase that will carry a Kayak. One that has the cheepest set up for a person that doesn't have a lot of money. I am considering a Jeep Wrangler because you don't have to build a rack for it I don't think. Sam -- ..................... The only thing you - can make someone do - is laugh - ..................... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> I am trying to figure out what is the best vehicle to purchase that > will carry a Kayak. One that has the cheepest set up for a person > that doesn't have a lot of money. I am considering a Jeep Wrangler > because you don't have to build a rack for it I don't think. Subaru Outback -- best all around car for kayakers. Low to the ground, so even us older types (all of us, I take it) can hoist even a British boat onto it. Plenty powerful, and 4WD for those ugly muddy roads (and yes, it does work). Excellent factory rack system. High ground clearance, more like that of an SUV. Comfortable, good on the highway, economical on gas. Even comes with NOAA weather radio band. And costs less than a Volkswagen. Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
My first choice would be a bicycle and trailer if I lived closer to where I paddle. Check out this guy toting a WW kayak on an Extracycle attachment http://www.xtracycle.com. My second choice is a station wagon with a factory roof rack. Get a couple of those foam blocks with the pre-cut grooves that fit over your factory rails. There are at least two groove widths so make sure you get the correct ones. My Chevy Celebrity wagon takes the wide ones. A few tie down straps and you're all set for probably under $40. Pretty easy to load/unload to. Here is a picture of mine http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/pt60618.jpg Your insurance and parts are likely to be cheaper with a car (i.e. station wagon) than with a truck/jeep/SUV. I just read about that in Katie Alvord's excellent book "Divorce Your Car." -Bob Matter Hammond, IN ----------- Road rage causes 1,500 deaths per year in the USA. -Louis Mizell, for AAA SAMUEL KLINGEL wrote: > > I am trying to figure out what is the best vehicle to purchase that > will carry a Kayak. One that has the cheepest set up for a person > that doesn't have a lot of money. I am considering a Jeep Wrangler > because you don't have to build a rack for it I don't think. > > Sam > -- > ..................... > The only thing you - > can make someone do - > is laugh - > ..................... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>SAMUEL KLINGEL wrote: >> >> I am trying to figure out what is the best vehicle to purchase that >> will carry a Kayak. One that has the cheepest set up for a person >> that doesn't have a lot of money. I am considering a Jeep Wrangler >> because you don't have to build a rack for it I don't think. Pre-96 Dodge Caravan or Plymouth Voyager -- available in 4WD, too, but rare. Factory roof racks are fairly solid, and the pre-96 ones have rain gutters for cheap roof racks if you don't find one with built-ins. If pre-91 or so, though, avoid the 3.0 V-6 -- it's why my '86 is called "Smoky Joe". -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have a 1998 Subaru Forester with Yakima components installed on the factory siderail rack. One good thing (among many)about the Forester is that it allows a very long fore-and-aft distance between the crossbars, longer than even on some big monster SUVs. Of you go with the Forester/Yakima combination, check out Yakima's web site at www.yakima.com or their catalog in stores like REI or EMS. Note the difference between the "DoubleCross" and "CrossTop" systems. Yakima is expensive but lasts forever. http://www.geocities.com/jackfuseadog/photopagespiral.html?971047310000 Jack Fu 47°38'N 122°08'W *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>Pre-96 Dodge Caravan or Plymouth Voyager -- available in 4WD, too, but >rare. Factory roof racks are fairly solid, and the pre-96 ones have rain >gutters for cheap roof racks if you don't find one with built-ins. If >pre-91 or so, though, avoid the 3.0 V-6 -- it's why my '86 is called "Smoky >Joe". I'll second this choice.... Just replaced my '91 Voyager with a '93 Grand Voyager. You know you're a paddler when your first requirement for a new car is rain gutters.... Being a foot or so longer than the previous, I have a long distance between the Thule Racks and boats seem to fit much better onto this car. This one also has factory racks but I don't use them for the boats. I do, however, clip in my neoprene booties and a mesh bag with wet clothing. Often dried nicely when I reach home.... The '91 had the 3.0 engine, this one the 3.3. If you're driving long distances for paddling venues, cruise control is a wonderful convenience, too. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Samuel. I used to own a Jeep Wrangler. You do need to put a rack on it to carry kayaks. In fact, if you have the hard top, you have to put fake rain gutters on the back. Jeep does not recommend this, but it worked fine for me. If you do not have the hard top things get even more interesting. The Jeep Wrangler is a nice vehicle if you want to drive off road, but they were not designed to be good commuter vehicles. The aerodynamics are about the same as a billboard, my Wrangler with a 4 cylinder 5 speed got 18 miles per gallon. The visibility is great, though, and they are a dream to park. They hold their value well, and there is a certain air about them that is just plain fun. If you do get one you will soon notice that other Wrangler owners wave to you as you go by, you will be a member of the secret society of Wrangler owners. Enjoy the ride. Mike Paddling along through fog so thick that only one's thoughts are visible, your reverie is abruptly shattered by the ancient cry of a great blue heron as she lifts uncertainly from the brilliant blue of a mussel-shell beach witnessed only by the brooding, wet spruce....your passage home seems as much back through time as it does through space. Mark H Hunt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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