Buy Thule 830 The Stacker (4) Kayak CarrierThule 830 The Stacker (4) Kayak Carrier Product Description:
- Four boat maximum capacity
- Folds down flat when not in use
- Easy carrier transfer from vehicle to vehicle with universal hardware
- Includes one pair ratcheting tie downs, two straps and buckle protectors
- Fits Thule standard, Rapid Aero, Xsporter bars, Yakima and most factory installed racks
Product Description
The most efficient way to carry multiple whitewater kayaks
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful.
Most affordable model for multiple kayaks
By Traveler
Before I bought the Thule 830 I looked at the 835XT which is extremely popular around New England. Retail price for two 835s (to hold two kayaks) is well over 250 bucks as of this writing. Sure, it's probably easier to load a kayak on the 835 instead of the 830, but it's not just the price, it's also the added wind resistance and possible drop in gas mileage that could result.The Thule 830 is a little bit more complicated to use, but it's more versatile than more expensive models. The two center rests fold down when not in use (and thus reduces drag) and it can handle up to four kayaks if your roof is big enough. It's a little more difficult to use than the 835 because there's no cradle for you to just plop the kayak into. Instead, you have to sort of balance the Kayak against the two posts while you tie it down. Also, the other drawback is that the straps provided are really only intended for one kayak. You could perhaps push it and use them for two, but another set of straps is probably best.Installation on a Honda factory installed rack was easy. From the looks of the instructions, the 830 should be adaptable to most car roof racks. But check with Thule if you're in doubt.I'm definitely pleased with this model. There really was no other choice given the price and versatility.
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful.Very Sturdy.
By K. Tichy
Installed it basically to put 2 kayaks on top of the car instead of just one. Installation was pretty easy and it is nice the way it can be folded down for convenience. Handled the job just fine. Put two 15 ft sit-on-top kayaks on the TrailBlazer's factory installed rack with the Stacker.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful.Thule Stacker
By John S. Vining
Although not the most ideal means to transport your kayak, it sure is a lower cost alternative to the high dollar options. The Thule 830 Stacker fits onto virtually all roof racks; Thule, Yakima as well as most factory. I purchased this one to fit on the factory rack of my 2006 Toyota Highlander and was not disapointed.The quality of material and craftsmanship is subpurb. The instructions were clearly written and the diagrams were large enough and easy to transition words to pictures.The rack was installed in less than half an hour and if you have good strong hand grip, no tools necessary; although I would recommend that you take at least one turn with the aid of a pair of plyers just to ensure that the rack does not slip. If you are going to put this on a set of Yakima round load bars you will definately need to use plyers as I found out when I transfered the stacker to the Yakima bars on my pick up truck. Even after tightening with plyers the racks can be rotated front to back, not so on my Toyota; and I have no experience with the square Thule bars.I really like the idea of being able to lay the rack flat on top of the roof when not in use. The previous rack that I had stuck up like a mohawak hair cut. So, if I didn't want to look at it I had to remove the entire rack, then re-install it for the next trip. With the Thule 830 you just loosen one nob and lay it down.The only draw back to this rack is not in the design or the quality, it's in the actual loading of the kayak on top of your vehicle; the boat has to be transported on one of the side edges. Manuvering the boat into a vertical position can be a bit daunting by yourself, but it can be done. Better if you have a helper though to keep it stable until you can get the first strap in place.Speaking of straps, the ones that come with the Thule are EXCELLENT! The buckle holds fast and the padded cover for the metal does not cause damage to your boat or car unless you are very careless. The fore and aft rope/hook lines are the absolute BEST. The old strap type that came with with my Yakima system always fluttered, made noise and in one instance wore the paint on my vehicle. Not so with the Thule rope style. The fastening device automatically ratchets secure and even after traveling 700 miles in one trip did not come loose.Securing your kayak to the rack can be a hit and miss proposition. I tried the suggested tie down method that came with the instructions but was a bit doubtful as to the side strength of the rack when hauling only 1 kayak. I am sure that this has been tested by Thule, just me trying to over engineer everything. Anyway I did use the suggested method on one trip, but I found that the side of the kayak resting on the bars "walked" away from the rack 2-3 inches; part of the trip was in high cross winds and I guess I could have tightened the straps more. This trip, however, prompted me to devise my own strapping method which involves a loop around the base of the Thule rack, under the downside edge of the kayak, over the top to the rack. This method I found to keep my boat in place with no lateral travel.If you are going to haul 2 boats you may wish to purchase a second set of fore/aft ropes, or you will have to devise a way to loop the nose & tail of both with one. You can get by with the single set of straps, but a second set may be more to your liking as well. Securing 2 boats was a bit more of a challenge, but once completed was as secure as hauling a single. What I did was mount the first boat and secured with the Thule recommended method using 1 strap. Then after the second boat was on top of the car I tied both boats together at the second tower, then removed the first strap on the first boat and repeated the double tie. Vola!! Ready to roll.In conclusion, if you need to haul 2 kayaks and don't have the roof space, or the cash to buy 2 mounts to put them side by side, I highly recommend the Thule 830 Stacker, you won't be disapointed.
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