How Will Foam of etrailer Kayak Carriers Hold Up Being Installed Full Time

Question:

I have a 60lbs 10foot kayak and plan to purchase a 12.5foot kayak. For the 12.5, I am considering two models weighing either 75 and 85lbs. The kayaks will be car topped on my BMW X5 and BMW bars with 150lbs maximum. I am considering your folding J-Style folding kayak carrier as I like the price and 150lbs capacity vs Yakima 80lbs and Rhino 99lbs. So I probably need two racks and the car / racks will sit outside full time. It looks like the E-Trailer padding is foam compared to hard rubber on the other two. I am worried about the foam will deteriorate if in the sun full time for a year or two. How long should the foam last outside in the sun? Should I consider the other two instead if the racks will be outside full time?

asked by: Kurt J

Expert Reply:

The etrailer J-Style Kayak Carrier # e98878 definitely opens up more possibilities in kayak carrying due to the higher 150 lbs weight rating. We don't really have a specific rating for a kayak carrier being outside full time but one of our employees uses these and keeps them installed throughout the spring/summer/fall so they have seen a lot of sun.

She sent me some photos of what they look like after 2 years of this kind of use and the foam looks to be in GREAT shape. There is only one place where the foam has split some from being used but aside from that everything else is looking good and still has some softness and spirnginess to it. No sign if dry rotting yet for the foam but there is some rust on some of the bolts as you can see in the photos.

Because of this feedback I say go for it! If the rust is something that concerns you then the Yakima JayLow # Y04073 which has an 80 lb capacity is what I recommend checking out.

expert reply by: Jon G