Has anyone tried carrying a kayak on a third generation RX? I just purchased the cross bars for the roof rack in order to do so, but I'm a little concerned about tie down front secure points, scratching the car, the rear wing, etc.

 

We carried two from Pittsburgh PA to Lake Placid last summer on top of our 2011 450h with the cross overs. Did not really need the cross overs as the Thule set up did not utilize them and I connected the clamps to the racks themselves. Tie down was to the racks, no issue and no problem. I did invest ($10.00) in a pair of straps that attach to bolts under the hood on each side of the enginve compartment to tie off the bows of the two boats. Works great and no damage to the car that way from ropes of cloth etc. (Orchard Oak Kayak in Rochester New York sells them on line)

Kayaks were unloaded and loaded each day at least once some days twice as we only did day trips. No marks on the car at all and it's the real dark charcoal color. Mileage for the trip was about 29mpg with the boats, pretty good in my estimation.

Good luck

 

Thanks and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Having computer issues and just when they get resolved, get internet issues due to storms etc.

I thought about getting a comlete Thule system rather than the Lexus cross bars, but ;picked up the lexus using points (i.e., no cash) accumulated on my lexus credit card.
Maybe a mistake, but it's done now.

Going to look into the tip about the front tie downs. Thanks for the info.

 

I have the factory cross bars and was going to mount the Thule saddles to them, but Thule and Yakima for that matter requires at least 24" separation between the bars. The bars are only 19.5" apart because of 3" rubber stops on each end of the rails. Lexus says that is to insure load stability. Did you have any issues with this?

 

kayakdude

We carried two Kayaks on the factory bars using Thule Saddles attached to the bars. I strapped down across the kayaks from side to side, individually as well as individually bow lines and stern lines. I bought two straps for the bow tie downs that actually attach to bolts under the hood on the fender support and in that way don't damage the paint as the bow lines do not touch the car. Works great, no issues at all. The bow tie downs were purchased at Oak Orchard near Rochester NY - they do mail order http://www.oakorchardcanoe.com/.

Good luck and enjoy

Bud

 

I found a used kayak trailer (converted from a jet ski trailer) for less than the cross bars cost! Much easier to load!

 

Sorry to hijack your thread, but do any of you guys use the "stacker style" posts instead of the J-cradles?

 

I just bought a 2015 RX350 and I'm dealing with the same question. I see only one place for the extended towing eye bolt. Am I missing something? And did you have any luck with yours? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

I have a whole collection of kayaks for I am a crazy fishing lover. However, having experience, I can confidently say that paddle play a big role, https://trykayak.com/best-kayak-paddle/ gives a whole overview of the topic and tells you how to choose paddle to your kayak. Kayaks are for different purposes and this is true, but for the sake of speed and endurance you need to buy expensive paddle.

 

Could you send a picture of where the bow and stern attach?