Best Options to Carry a Kayak and 2 Bikes with a 2018 Kia Optima

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Question:

I need to transport my kayak and some bikes using my 2018 Optima but I'm not sure what to use. It seems like there are a few different ways I can do this but I don't know what the best option would be. I'll need to carry 1 kayak and 2 bikes at the most.

asked by: Karen

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Expert Reply:

The best way to transport a kayak and 2 bikes with your 2018 Kia Optima is to use a hitch mount bike rack and then add a roof rack for carrying your kayak. You could potentially carry everything on your roof but the 165 lb max weight limit of a roof rack can easily be exceeded depending on what bikes and kayak you have.

The trailer hitch I recommend using is the Class I Draw-Tite Sportframe # 24965 because it doesn't require the use of a support strap for non-trailer loads like the Curt option does. Then for a bike rack I highly recommend the Kuat Sherpa because it is a lightweight bike rack (only weighs 32 lbs) that can accommodate up to 2 bikes weighing 40 lbs. Since you are loading a lot of equipment on your Optima the lightweight bike rack helps keep the overall cargo weight down.

This bike rack comes in Gray # SH12G, Black # SH12B, and Pearl # SH12P, all of which feature bike and rack locks, a tool-free anti-rattle system, and the common tilting/folding positions for easy trunk access and compact storage. I have attached a review video of this bike rack for you to check out.

To carry your kayak I recommend the Yakima JetStream roof rack as the crossbars are aluminum (for corrosion resistance) and feature a rubber insert in the T-Slot that doesn't require trimming when adding accessories. The parts you need to add this to your Optima include the 50" crossbars # Y00425, BaseLine Towers # Y28TR, and BaseClip Fit Kit # Y06134.

The Yakima JayLow Kayak Carrier # Y04073 is then what I recommend for your kayak because it has a sleek look and built-in ramps to make loading your kayak much easier. The JayLow can accommodate up to 2 kayaks (if you go kayaking with a friend) but can also be folded down when not in use. One of the benefits of using this with the Yakima JetStream bars is that you can use the lock cores # Y07206 to lock the roof rack and this carrier using the same key.

If your kayak and bikes are lightweight then, as I stated above, you can potentially carry the kayak with the parts mentioned above and then add 2 of the Kuat Trio # TR02 to carry your bikes on the roof as well. To ensure that you can do this you need to subtract 27 lbs from the roof rack weight rating and make sure that the combined weight of your kayak and bikes doesn't exceed the 145 lbs that are left. Should you go this route you can use the lock core set # Y07208 instead which gives you the same cores for all of the Yakima roof products.

Review videos have been linked for you to check out some of the products I referenced above.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

When It comes to attaching a roof bike rack on your Rhino Rack Vortex bars The Kuat Trio Roof Bike Rack - Fork Mount - Clamp On - Aluminum - Black and Polished Chrome #TR02 is compatible. The Kuat Roof Bike Rack #TR02 is compatible with Aero Bars,…

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Answer 2

The Kuat roof rack accessories just use clamps but they also sit directly onto the crossbars so you would have the same amount of clearance whether they mounted in the T-Slot of Thule aero-style crossbars or not. For example, the Kuat Trio Roof…

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Answer 3

The maximum crossbar dimensions that the Kuat Trio part #TR02 will fit is 3-1/2" wide x 1-11/16" tall. If your crossbars are thicker than that the best solution I can come up with would be to go with an aftermarket rack, but without…

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Answer 4

The Kuat Trio Roof Bike Rack part #TR02 comes with a 9x100, 15x100, and 15x110mm Boost fork adapters. There are however additional adapters available if needed which I have listed for you below. 9mm x 135mm QR - part #TRP9 12mm x 100mm Thru-Axle -…

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Answer 5

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 6

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 7

There is only one difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13176 and etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98909 that fit your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, which is the finish. The Curt trailer hitch has a glossy black finish while the etrailer…

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Answer 8

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 9

Yes, I have listed for your below the roof rack systems from Rhino-Rack, Thule, and Yakima that will fit the RetraxPRO XR Hard Tonneau Covers like part #RTT-80243 for your 2019 Ram 1500. Rhino-Rack Vortex Crossbar System part #RRVA180B-RRRLT600…

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Answer 10

I definitely understand being a bit overwhelmed by the amount of options in front of you, however I can definitely help with differentiating the trailer hitches for your 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon along with explaining my personal recommendation,…

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Answer 11

Aside from a slight change in the appearance of the crossbar (the WingBar Evo has some boxed edges as opposed to the completely smooth front of the AeroBlade) the biggest differences are the rubber strip on top of the crossbar and the weight…

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Answer 12

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack…

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Best Options to Carry a Kayak and 2 Bikes with a 2018 Kia Optima

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