Roof Rack and Kayak Carrier for a 2017 Jeep Cherokee

Question:

i have a 2017 jeep Cherokee sport with no rails or crossbars and Im not sure which of the racks I should purchase as I see most of them say they are 54 inch rails and my jeep is not that. also I will only be hauling my kayak. any help would be great. thanks so much.

asked by: Richele

Expert Reply:

Many racks will be designed with overhang in mind for a variety of reasons. This can range from intending to have tie-down points for a load to maximizing carrying capacity.

I also recommend that people use Aero shaped bars for kayak and watersport applications, as the width of the bars is helpful in controlling and mounting the load.

For your roof rack, I recommend a Yakima JetStream kit, consisting of:
- Yakima JetStream 50" Crossbars, part # Y00425
- Yakima BaseLine Towers, part # Y28TR
- Yakima BaseClip Fit Kit, part # Y06123
- Yakima BaseClip Fit Kit, part # Y06159

You will need BOTH of the listed BaseClips for this kit, as the fit is different for the front and the back of the vehicle.

For a kayak carrier, I recommend using the Yakima Saddle Style, part # Y04083-04082 . This roller system clamps to your crossbars and provides assistance in loading your kayak onto your vehicle by guiding it forward onto the rack.

I've included videos of the roof rack being installed and the kayak carrier in action so you can get an idea of how they work.