WTB Roof Rack Saddles?! And Questions!
 

I am getting a 2012 Subaru Forester next week and getting rid of my camaro.
The Subaru comes with roof racks but I know I will need some saddles for it and all that but I am running into two problems.
1. I don't know anything about them.
2. I won't even know where to start to install them
I will be putting on top a PA so its a little heavier then most kayaks as we all know.
So any ideas for the loading it onto the racks with out scratching the vehicle?
Is there other things I need other then the saddles?
Please Help!

I have a Saab 9-5 sedan, i basically just slide up on the saddles from the back of the car, and of course i place a "yoga mat" on the trunk, but my kayak is light, about 50lb, for me, is the most easy way to load on the saddles, and all you need just a yoga mat, not a single scratch.
But since PA is a lot heavier, not sure if this will work, maybe you need 2 layer of yoga mat.

Do you really need saddles since the pa has a pontoon style hull it will sit on the racks without rocking. Just lay a yoga mat or foam to keep from rubbing and strap it down.

I like the yoga mat idea!
Just I live in Running Springs above San Bernardino and I have to drive down some super windy roads.
Even on my truck rack and going super slow down the hill it still likes to slide.
That is my biggest worry but it falling forward or back but it falling off the side.

Understood. Probably worth the extra dough just for peace of mind

exactly even if the kayak is used and I only Paid $50 for the kayak I wouldn't mind putting out more money for the Racks it goes on.
So what kind of rack/saddle rack should I go with?
Is anyone selling any?

Yakima and Thule are probably the most popular.

I've used the Thule Glide & Set saddle combo for my PA on a Mazda 3 hatchback for nearly 3 years with no problem. Definitely need a quality mat if you plan on setting the bow on the rear of the roof to prevent scratching. Something with some "grab" to stay in place. If you don't want to do that, a couple of cool options are the Slipstream (a bit pricey but really cool) and the Outrigger II(slides out of the cross bar). I personally would not set your PA directly on the cross bars. I think the boat is too heavy to stay in place that way. Good luck.

pair saddles with rollers. They work well, probably easier to load than the glide/slide ones. Also, does the Car Come with faCtory Cross bars? If so, you might wanna CheCk the load CapaCity and make sure your PA won't kill it. and of Course, when you're buying the saddles/rollers, make sure they're Compatible with your Cross bars, some fit round bars and some reCtangular.

those are niCe Cars!

Cheers,:cheers1:

you should first check on the thule or yakima site to see what they recommend for your vehicle. they will then give you some good ideas on what type of rack you may want to use.
then go onto this forum or c.l. to look for those same exact racks that yakima recommends at a steep discounted price. if you can't find it on c.l. then you'll have to pay the full retail from one of the authorized dealers.
i especially like that yakima has the integrated mounting system for some factory racks. it keeps the factory look rather than just adding some crossbars or mounts.

The subaru will be with the full factory cross bar.

Also check the weight capacity for the roof too...I would go with Thule saddles they fit your factory bars

I have a pair of saddles you can have for $30.00 If you are comming down to Mira Loma ANY TIME SOON I can bring them to work with me.:linesnap:

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