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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,948
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Is the max weight load for roof racks just a guideline or not?
I want to carry 3 kayaks on the roof of my Xterra. Sports Rack didn't caution me when they sold me crossbars, adapters and J bars to carry the boats. The Yakima stuff weigh about 20 lbs. The two kayaks I just bought weigh 120 lbs. I need one more kayak to outfit the entire family so I'm looking at loading the rack with another 60 lbs for a grand total of 200 lbs.
I just read the Xterra owners manual and it says not to load the factory rack over 150 lbs. As you know, the Yakima stuff and boats are mounted on the factory rack. Do you think the weight limit is just a guideline? I can't think of another way to transport 3 kayaks. Got any advice? |
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08-27-2006, 10:05 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,737
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I tend to think that they put those numbers in there for a reason, and just don't make them up.
I used to have a roof rack that was attached to the front and rear bumpers (for my jeep) that would not rely on the roof rack. Might be worth looking into seeing if something similar exists for the Xterra. |
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08-27-2006, 11:37 PM
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 In reality, I'd probably go for it myself ... with some front/rear bumper tiedowns. |
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08-28-2006, 05:30 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 5,136
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I suspect it's more about weight distribution than anything else. 200 lbs at the very top of your vehicle, which has a high center of gravity anyway, will make it behave rather badly, particularly around corners. As long as you keep this in mind, an extra 50 lbs should be fine.
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08-28-2006, 05:45 AM
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I would think the roof can handle it. Like Rodeo mentions, I'd keep the rest of the load as low as possible. Remember the Explorer fiasco. I doubt it had much to do with the tires. More likely an overloaded top heavy vehicle like the one my cousin was driving when she crashed and killed her boyfriend. The witnesses said they didn't see anyway she could have saved it.
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2014 Cayman S (track rat w/GT4 suspension) 1979 930 (475 rwhp at 0.95 bar) |
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08-28-2006, 06:59 PM
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1971 Porsche Targa 2.5L
1979 Porsche 930 3.4
