How To Use Tie Downs On Roof Racks

Proper tie down straps are the safest and most dependable harnesses you can use to secure your rooftop cargo during transportation.

How to use tie downs on roof racks.

If your vehicle has a roof rack you have one of the best situations for tying down a canoe. It also reduces the risk of damaging your vehicle. By using proper methods you can haul your cargo safely to your destination. To tie down a kayak place it right side up on your roof rack and center it.

Remove your rack when not in use to avoid the added weight drag and noise. Improper tie down practices are all too common and many accidents and injuries happen because someone didn t take their time loading cargo on the roof of the car. They are available in a variety of lengths widths strength ratings hook ends and secure methods. You have to follow the steps one by one.

Tie the straps down with cam buckles to secure the kayak. First i will explain what gears you have to collect. I will cover the guide in three steps. Remember that bungee cords also known as shock cords are neither safe nor reliable for securing cargo of any type for transportation.

This guide shows you how to put a surfboard on a roofrack watch this and other related films here. I ve been using nylon webbing straps the 35 variety with self tightening clips for years to tie down everything from bicycles and surfboards to large pieces of furniture they ve worked great on. Second i will cover the right method of tying your kayak to the roof rack and lastly explain how to tie down the bow and stern. If you don t have a roof rack there are still other options out there for you.

Ratchet straps provide the most strength and security. Run 2 boat straps over the top of the kayak and them under the roof rack bars then bring the straps to the other side of the kayak and loop them under the roof rack bars on that side. How to tie down a canoe to a roof rack. Use the proper equipment.

So you are going to get the detail and brief guide here. Ratchet straps are the most secure way to tie down any heavy load whether it s riding on a roof rack trailer or in the bed of your truck. Use ratchet or cam straps to tie the roof rack through the doors not the windows. Roof racks have been known to fail at high speeds with lots of updraft so take the extra precaution of tying the roof rack down to the roof of the vehicle as well.