Anybody carry a kayak or similar on their wagon?... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 12-15-2002, 12:36 AM

I have a Thule rack left over from our Passat wagon and tried to mount it on the 300TD. It looked like bloody hell AND it didn't really fit too well.

Now I'm seeing the cross bars for the roof rack on ebay...is there anybody out there who has any experience with these and carrying cargo? Is there another aftermarket rack which fits and looks better on the w123?

#2 12-15-2002, 01:39 AM

A long time kayaker, I've used Thule racks on a number of cars. There are a number of variations in the racks 1) the mounting systems, including the older "standard" gutter mount and newer variations for newer gutterless vehicles, 2) rectangular cross section bars of varying lengths to suit different width vehicles, and 3) various attachements to mount on the cross bars, for kayaks, canoes, bicycles, skiis, etc....

I haven't yet mounted a set of racks on my Mercedes, but I expect that the older gutter mount racks will work fine. I have both the standard height I used on a Honda Civic, and larger size that I used on a ford van, with a greater distance between the gutter and the roofline. I also currently have a rack set mounted on a gutterless Subaru Legacy, and I would not expect those pillars to fit well on the Mercedes.

I expect you need a set of mounting pillars for gutters. Although you probably purchased your rack as a complete set to fit your Passat, the parts are available separately. I've always gotten my Thule products from Great River Outfitters: http://www.grokayaks.com/ I don't believe that they list all their products on line, but they carry a full line of Thule.

Good luck!

#3 12-15-2002, 03:15 AM

I have a chrome roof rack on my 300TD already so are you saying you would just bypass it and use a gutter-mount?

If I had the crossbars for the factory rack could I just strap a kayak to those as long as it was satisfactorily immobilized?

JoelS · #4 12-15-2002, 09:43 AM

I don't think I'd use the factory crossbars for a kayak. I have a set for my TD and they're not stout enough - plus, they have a slight upward bow to them.

You can get these with rubber sliding round separators for use with skis (I think) and without them for just a tie-down. I have a pair without the separators and will use them with a cartop carrier but not to haul my canoe. [I also have one with the rubber slides - I'm hoping to find someone who wants to sell just one to complete the set.]

If I was going to use my TD for hauling a canoe or kayak, I think I'd use one of the aftermarket racks. I recently had to replace one of the rails on my rack (it was damaged on a car hauler). I was able to find a replacement side relatively cheap, but you have to drop the headliner to access the bolts that go through the roof. Ended up being a couple of hundred dollars to repair with parts and labor. For that, you may be able to find a used aftermarket set and save possible damage to the rack.

Cheers,

kerry · #5 12-15-2002, 10:02 AM

I carry canoes all the time but only recently got my TD. On my Olds Wagon which has a roof rack, I do not use that rack for the boats. I have a Yakima gutter rack with the height extensions to put it above the roof rack. It works fine. I plan to do the same thing when I start carrying boats on the TD. The only difference I have noticed is that the gutter is quite a bit deeper on the TD than on most cars. I have not tried fitting either Thule or Yakima gutter mounts in it yet.

engatwork · #6 12-15-2002, 10:14 AM

The 300TD owners manual states:
"The roof rack should be loaded evenly while not exceeding 100kg/220 lb." I think the stock roof rack cross member attachment is a nice looking design.

Peyton300TD · #7 12-15-2002, 02:04 PM

Yes! i love carrying things on the roof. regularly i put snow skis (in the winter) and a surf board (in the summer). you can see my surfboard rack pads in the photo.

my wagon doesn't have those rubber spacers that go on the cross bars though. any idea why it wouldn't have them? ive seen them and am curious to know if it is posisble to get those without having to buy whole new cross bars? does anyone know?

my skis are held on by a yakima rack. they told me id need to get the gutter tower system to hold skis because the cross bars aren't thick enough in diamter, instead i just wrapped the cross bar in tape to make it thick enough, but id like a better solution- like a rubber o-ring that is more attractive.

many christmas tree's have been transported up top as well

eric

Peyton300TD · #8 12-15-2002, 02:07 PM

woops forgot the picture

#9 12-15-2002, 05:33 PM

I don't think that a kayak is more than 220 lbs, is it? If I had set up like Peyton's wouldn't I be good to go?

I'm being a little anal retentive here, I don't like the way the black, modern Thule rack looks on my classic MB.

#10 12-15-2002, 05:44 PM

I would definitely go with the "aftermarket" racks, that is the Thule's with pillars or towers (whatever they call them) long enough to give clearance over the factory roof rack. One issue is simply the clearance needed for tying the boats down. You want plenty of room to fit the rope or Thule straps around the bars. Chances are you'll be putting boats on tired from a paddle on a cold, wet, stromy night, with the wind freezing your cold wet hands!

I wouldn't have many qualms carrying a boat or two on the factory rack with the factory cross members for a short distance. But you have to remember, in a wind a kayak presents a load much greater than its weight, and not just dead weight. I've seen wind rip a rack and kaykaks right off a vehicle. In a longer trip, you don't know what you'll encounter. A short term solution can likely be more casual than a permanent one!

I'd also space the cross bars as widely as possible, not close like those on the photo of "Peyton." Intuitively and in my experience, that gives a long load less opportunity to twist in the wind. Luckily the 300TD has a long roofline - unlike the little Honda Civic I used to use to carry my boats.

#11 12-15-2002, 05:52 PM

As for looks, I have to admit that's one reason I haven't yet mounted racks, but if I get off my butt and start kayaking again, I will. Noted, the Thule racks won't do anything for the looks of the Benz. Still, I think my TD (and yours) is the proper response of an intelligent, cultured, and sensitive individual to the SUV crowd!

On the other hand, neither Thule nor any other aftermarket manufacturer recommends leaving the racks on permanently-because of mpg and weathering on the racks. The gutter mount variety come off pretty easily. Of course, the first thing I did after getting my 94 Subaru Legacy wagon was put a Thule rack on it, and I haven't taken it off since. Of course, the gutterless mounting system is a PIA. At least that's my excuse.

lrg · #12 12-15-2002, 07:08 PM

I have the Thule rack system for my wagon that doesn't use rain gutter attachments. It clamps to the stock rails and replaces the factory chrome moveable cross pieces. I leave the factory cross pieces in the garage until I need them to help tie down something light. The Thule cross bars are rectangular and adjust to fit. I attach them fairly close to the stock rail's attaching points (where the rails attach to the roof) for additional strength. While I only use it for bicycles and skis it could easily support a couple of hundred pounds (unlike the factory cross bars which bend with that kind of weight). I usually leave the rack off the car because it does make some wind noise and while a bit of a pain it's not that big a deal to put on and take off. I don't think it's a bad looking setup.