Carrying Kayaks

engelside

engelside

Joined
Aug 29, 2019
Posts
211
Likes collected
89
Location
Somerset, near Wincanton
Funster No
63,664
MH
Mirage 5000 A Class
Exp
Since 2019
Just purchased a (2004) Mirage 5000 and part of the plan is to carry our kayaks. The existing roof bars are not suitable (not load bearing according to Karritek) and so we will have to install roof rails in there place. A couple of questions, anyone else been through this who could share their experience and also looking for recommendations for someone to install roof rails. Karritek suggest that this is done by a conversion company (makes sense to me) and therefore looking for someone in the SW who could do this . Thanks
 
Hi...can I ask if you have approached karitek to do the fitting...
They installed my hi lift roof rack and roof rails..and for what They charged for the fitting it wasn't worth the bother of not letting them get on with it..
The roof rails are screwed and glued to the roof and they have picked up the timber batten in the dense foam sandwich construction roof where possible..
Andy.
20190917_153201.jpg
 
Hi Andy. Yes, I am in discussion with Ann at Karitek about this. It was her that recommended that it was done by a conversion company "as they will ensure a watertight, seamless fit". How did you know that the timber was in that position, did you contact the MH manufacturer? Great photo by the way, can't wait to get our boats on top, we are planning a trip up to Lofoten next year. Cheers. Martin
 
Another question if I may Andy. Is there much of an effect on the solar panel when the boat is on top?
 
engelside said:
Another question if I may Andy. Is there much of an effect on the solar panel when the boat is on top?
Click to expand...
Knowing Andy it's never up there long enough to have an impact!;):giggle: And for Andy!:p
Being serious, it should only have an impact when your parked up but would you not have it off the roof?

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Hi Martin..I went to the dealer to ask if they could contact chausson and let me know the locations of any structural fixing points on the roof... needless to say that was a waste of time... but they did say they would be happy to do the job...which I politely declined?..
Any timber batten in the roof can usually be seen if you stand on some step ladders and look across the flat roof surface.. they are usually visible as a slightly raised portion in good light..and a tap with the hand confirms it
I doubt all my rail fixings are into timber..I suspect a few are just into the dense foam structure.. but the pu adhesive is good stuff?
As for carrying a kayak on the roof and solar.... the two are not compatible really...
But I have getting on for 300w so I still get some benefit even if there is some shade...but no question it can reduce the solar output significantly .... just have to put up with any loss when the kayak is up there..

The kayak can also affect the sat dome reception.. but again its just something you have to accept and often a change in position if i can be bothered usually sorts it...

And if you are in the lofotens next June I may see you... il not be in the van but the flights are booked
??
 
Our Kayaks are close to 5m long so I suspect that could have a bit of an impact (literally) on our travels! To be honest that looks like an accident waiting to happen with the bottom of the SOT's so close to the ground.
 
Our MH already has rails as in the picture so I suspect that the best position for the new ones would be to replace the existing.

Not planned exact dates yet but I suspect we will be there in June next year!

Not worried about TV reception to be honest.

20190829_141456.jpg
 
We did our new Hymer last year, it had the rear factory fitted rails but Karitek wanted it lengthening. Travelworld fitted a further forward section, it wasn't cheap! On a hymer they glue a 8cm by 3cm plug into the roof and then the roof rails are bolted onto them. Its quite a load you are carrying with the windage so it needs to be done properly.
FB_IMG_1556015379928.jpg
 
Looks like a serious bit of engineering. Travelworld are a Hymer dealer? The issue we have I guess is that the Mirage is a 2004 model and Mirage has gone out of business so a little difficult to get build details to decide how to do it the best way. I am going to speak to the dealer I bought our van from and see what they can do.

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