Roof Rack Capacity

[TowingExplorer]

I'm expecting the roof racks on my '06 LTD are not just for show.

My wife wants to put a couple of kayaks up there so I am expecting I'll make some kind of cross braces since the OE racks go from to back and I need to mount from side to side.

How much weight are the stock racks rated to handle?

 

[Flag Gibby]

With factory installed rails it is only 100lbs, but with aftermarket rails you can go as high as 175lbs.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I do not know the exact numbers, but I am carrying a 14ft tandem kayak on the top. It weighs probably 50 lbs. just make sure you tie the front end of the kayaks to somewhere in the front bumper so they do not fly off on the highway.

 

[TowingExplorer]

Just 100#? That's good to know as some of the cheaper kayaks weigh more.

Does anyone have a link to the aftermarket ones?

 

[Flag Gibby]

This is just one of the many places that sell them.

http://www.etrailer.com/roof-2006_Ford_Explorer.htm

 

[TowingExplorer]

This is just one of the many places that sell them.

http://www.etrailer.com/roof-2006_Ford_Explorer.htm

Wow, that's a bit more on the expensive side than I was looking to spend.

Guess I'll have to McGuyver it.

 

[Extremistno9]

I know this an older post, but my question fits best here.

With Thule, you get 165 max rating. With Yakima Railgrabs (which I have), you get a 100lb max rating (2007 Exp EB).

What are you thoughts on the following:
Using Yakima railgrabs (100lb max rating) with a canoe (75lbs) and rocketbox (assume another 80lbs loaded) = 155lbs. However, the canoe is held in place with 2 straps running through the top of the car (straps are routed inside the car), front (2 straps) and rear (1 strap).

My initial thought is the 100lb rating is for items on the rack secured only through the rack touch points. However, with the canoe resting on the rack but secured to the car itself, can your load rating increase since the rack is no longer taking the burden of the canoe? My 2002 explorer has a higher load rating with the railgrabs and I have done it with securing the canoe and box to both the rack itself and to the car as described above with no issues.

Thanks in advance.

 

[TowingExplorer]

But the canoe is still on the rack, isn't it? So I think your logic works for upward forces, but not downward.

 

[Extremistno9]

I made the 8+ hour trip (both ways) on highway speeds of 70MPH with no issues.

I agree, the upward force was circumvented by strapping the canoe to the car rather than just the rack. That takes away the need for the rack to hold the canoe to the car. However, downward weight, I would still argue that since the system has a higher rating on other vehicles, like my 2002 Explorer, it can still handle the weight. My thought is the side rails of the 07 are chrome vs the more grainy black plastic on the '02. Possibly the chrome slippery surface reduces the friction ultimately lowering the carrying capabilities of the rack.