Can Kayak Bow/Stern Carrier Line be Used with Use of Thule Arcos Carrier

Question:

Im not sure if youll be able to answer this question, but here it goes. Im likely going to purchase an Arcos box for my 2022 Rav4 Hybrid Limited, but I have a question Currently the car has a 2foot Curt hitch receiver attached. It has two closed loops, which I imagine are for attaching safety chains when a trailer is being towed. We carry two long narrow kayaks on the top of the car using foam blocks attached to OEM crossbars. The lengths are 19foot 2foot and 17foot respectively. Were always careful to use bow and stern lines to hold down the boats. For the bow line, we attach a Thule ratchet rope system from the front of each kayak to the Rav4s tow hook. For the stern line, we attach the ropes from each stern to the closed loops on the hitch receiver. So heres the question. With the arcos box sitting on its cargo platform, would we be able to run our stern lines under the cargo box and platform and attach them to the closed loops on the hitch receiver? My concern is that the tight ropes might attempt to liftinch the cargo box somewhat, thus making it unstable. The bottom line is that wed like to get the Arcos, or similar rear cargo box and to be able to carry our kayaks in a secure manner using both bow and stern tie-downs.

asked by: Paul F

Expert Reply:

Hey Paul, I don't see why you couldn't run the kayak carrier straps above or below the Thule Arcos part # TH25YE that you referenced. I would probably go with above the box but there's no reason you couldn't also below it. The strap wouldn't put a significant enough amount of pressure on the box to harm it.

expert reply by: Jameson C