I have pretty much figured out what it is I need but I wondered what you guys were using for load bar widths? I would like to get as wide as I can up there as I need to fit two fairly wide sea kayaks on the rack with the thule saddles I already have from my previous vehicle, I was hoping to use at least the 55" bars, what do you all have?

Hey there,

I'm running with the 50" bars from my old civic. They're plenty wide enough for my needs with room to spare. However, if I had two sea kayaks to tote, I'm not too sure if they'd do the trick... Maybe with those hullaport carriers, but not flat. Here's a pic of mine installed with two velovise trays for the bikes - You can see what the 50's look like once installed - pretty flush with the sides of the vehicle with little /no overhang:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/uploads/files/IMG0006.jpg

http://www.elementownersclub.com/uploads/files/IMG0005.jpg

Hope this sheds a little more light on things for ya!

-Boat Drinks!

Thanks for the reply, i had one of Thule's newer racks sytems on my explorer that worked out to be 50" and the kayaks worked but were basically touching in the center. Judging by the looks of yours, i can probably get away with the next size up, which i thought was 55" but is actually 58". They are the same price and I think can be trimmed down if necessary, I figure I will try those. Thanks for the pics, I will try to post some when I get them installed. For bike mounts I am going to try out http://www.rockymounts.com, they are powdercoated instead of painted and less than half the price of thule, they seem to be higher quality too. Thanks again.

Anytime!

Hey - thanks for the heads up on Rockymounts.com! 8) My girlfriend has a new Thule load-bar setup but we've been waiting on which accessories to get! She'll love the colors too! Nice call man - I'll be sure to give these guys serious consideration when it comes time to purchase.

-DJ

I use the Thule 58 in load bars and it should work fine for two kayaks. I've carried four up there using kayak stackers No bar overhang, so no head banging. I use the Thule TK 9 set up and I am very happy with it and can't figure out why several guys didn't like it in other threads. I'm pretty fussy and it looks great and the Thule feet click on and off in seconds so I can remove the rack and make washing the E easier.

quote=" "]I have pretty much figured out what it is I need but I wondered what you guys were using for load bar widths? I would like to get as wide as I can up there as I need to fit two fairly wide sea kayaks on the rack with the thule saddles I already have from my previous vehicle, I was hoping to use at least the 55" bars, what do you all have?[/quote]

the 58" bars also...and can fit my two sea boats or 4or5 whitewater boats up there. Also fit a ski rack and massive cargo box...or one sea boat and two whitewater boats...or...you get the picture :lol:

Jesse