Canoe/Kayak rack for Mk1 MR2 T-Bar

[Grendel]

Ok I know you folks like a challenge so has anyone seen/knows of a way to carry a Kayak & Paddles on an Mk1?

[kevin..in]

so long as its not a T bar then Toyota did a set of roof bars but from memory they were rated a about 20Kg max also Thule did a set which may still be available

pic of Toyota ones here

[Grendel]

Oops

Forgot to mention it was my T-Bar Mk1b

[kevin..in]

Oops

Forgot to mention it was my T-Bar Mk1b

tow bar and trailer then!

[Grendel]

Oops

Forgot to mention it was my T-Bar Mk1b

tow bar and trailer then!

Young Kevin Wash your mouth out!

I thought a tow bar on Mk1 was a hanging offence

[kevin..in]

Oops

Forgot to mention it was my T-Bar Mk1b

tow bar and trailer then!

Young Kevin Wash your mouth out!

I thought a tow bar on Mk1 was a hanging offence

not so young!!! if it is a hanging offense then come and hang me
if your options are use a MK1 with an occaisional trailer
(towbar takes about 15-20 mins to remove)
or buy an estate/4X4 instead then I'll go for option one and risk a lynching!

[Grendel]

Didn’t realise you could get removable tow bars thought they where all those big things hanging off the back of Volvo's and 4x4?
How easy are they to fit/Remove?

[kevin..in]

Didn’t realise you could get removable tow bars thought they where all those big things hanging off the back of Volvo's and 4x4?
How easy are they to fit/Remove?

they have 3 mounting points, one on the rear torque mount and the other two are through the towing eyes on the rear bumper
electrics can simply be cable tied to the tow bar then removed and tied up under the inlet manifold
so its a case of how quickly can you undo 3 bolts and snip a few cable ties

[Karl_T]

so long as its not a T bar then Toyota did a set of roof bars but from memory they were rated a about 20Kg max also Thule did a set which may still be available

pic of Toyota ones here

Thass my car!

Better pic of bars:



Anyone with a T bar reckon that clamp would work still?

Karl_T

[kevin..in]

Anyone with a T bar reckon that clamp would work still?
Karl_T

from experience with toughened glass panels, they are very strong but the lightest of impacts near an edge and you have a glass explosion!
so couple that with whatever you have attached to your roof bars hitting you on the head, then imagine it while driving & I'd say don't try it!!

[Jim-SR]

get some carbon fibre or fibreglass t-bar replacement panels though and then youd have no reason not to!

[kevin..in]

get some carbon fibre or fibreglass t-bar replacement panels though and then youd have no reason not to!

yes thats a good option and one that sprang to mind as I posted my last reply
with GRP panels you could even fix the front roof bar directly to the panel fo a more possative location, then revert to glass ones for normal use

[Jim-SR]

Nik at Zombie Wings currently has my spare T-bar panels and is making a mould. hes got an affiliate section on the TwoBrutal forums with details. hes doing both fibreglass weave and pre-preg carbon verions to suit both ends of the price scale. it probably wouldnt be hard to bond some brackets onto the finished panels that a roof rack could then attach to. thats the beauty of composites compared to glass, drilling holes and then resealing things is VERY easy, and doesnt really weaken the structure. might be an option if someone is desperate for a roof rack on their '2

[kevin..in]

Nik at Zombie Wings currently has my spare T-bar panels and is making a mould. hes got an affiliate section on the TwoBrutal forums with details. hes doing both fibreglass weave and pre-preg carbon verions to suit both ends of the price scale. it probably wouldnt be hard to bond some brackets onto the finished panels that a roof rack could then attach to. thats the beauty of composites compared to glass, drilling holes and then resealing things is VERY easy, and doesnt really weaken the structure. might be an option if someone is desperate for a roof rack on their '2

yep would seem to be a great option for T bar owners

[Grendel]

Nik at Zombie Wings currently has my spare T-bar panels and is making a mould. hes got an affiliate section on the TwoBrutal forums with details. hes doing both fibreglass weave and pre-preg carbon verions to suit both ends of the price scale. it probably wouldnt be hard to bond some brackets onto the finished panels that a roof rack could then attach to. thats the beauty of composites compared to glass, drilling holes and then resealing things is VERY easy, and doesnt really weaken the structure. might be an option if someone is desperate for a roof rack on their '2

Any links to them please since it seems like a logical answer to carrying a kayak.

Mind you if I get a set then I’ll have a choice of 3 roof panels to:

Original
Tinted
Plastic

How often do MR2 roof bars come up?

[kevin..in]

How often do MR2 roof bars come up?

not very but then you seem to see 3 pairs at once
try thule web site to see if their ones are still available

[Jim-SR]

http://forums.twobrutal.com/showthread.php?t=15639

[Fab4MR2]

Depending upon how big/long your kayak is, you could possibly use a standard Thule set of roof bar racks. They are the same ones that would be used on top of a hard top/moonroof MKI. I have used the same set on both my original '85 moonroof hard top and my '87 t-top, for carrying snow skis, etc. They are probably supportive enough to hold a small Thule carrier bin as well, which I had thought about for long road trips, but then I couldn't remove the t-tops when I wanted. That's not a problem for most ski trips, except for late spring skiing.

[Grendel]

Depending upon how big/long your kayak is, you could possibly use a standard Thule set of roof bar racks. They are the same ones that would be used on top of a hard top/moonroof MKI. I have used the same set on both my original '85 moonroof hard top and my '87 t-top, for carrying snow skis, etc. They are probably supportive enough to hold a small Thule carrier bin as well, which I had thought about for long road trips, but then I couldn't remove the t-tops when I wanted. That's not a problem for most ski trips, except for late spring skiing.

I was thinking of a Perception Freedom sit on Kayak & Paddle:
Length: 400cm
Width: 78cm
Weight: 22kg

[Fab4MR2]

Depending upon how big/long your kayak is, you could possibly use a standard Thule set of roof bar racks. They are the same ones that would be used on top of a hard top/moonroof MKI. I have used the same set on both my original '85 moonroof hard top and my '87 t-top, for carrying snow skis, etc. They are probably supportive enough to hold a small Thule carrier bin as well, which I had thought about for long road trips, but then I couldn't remove the t-tops when I wanted. That's not a problem for most ski trips, except for late spring skiing.

I was thinking of a Perception Freedom sit on Kayak & Paddle:
Length: 400cm
Width: 78cm
Weight: 22kg

I thought maybe you might be referring to a shorter type than that. The Thules would probably support it, by weight, but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable going much of anywhere with something that long on top of my car due to the aerodynamics. I'm not sure I would try carrying that on a MKI with any of the various racks I have seen for them over the years, no matter how supportive they are. I would seriously consider installing a tow hitch for anything close to that length. I have seen plenty of them offered over the years for the MKI. A quick search found a UK supplier: http://www.towequipe.co.uk/products/toy ... -8590.html
I know there have been various American suppliers as well.
Good luck.