Top 9 Best Kayak Rack for Jeep Wrangler In 2022 (July Updated)

Off-road Jeeps are used for adventure purposes and kayaks are commonly carried in the Jeep Wrangler and other off-road vehicles. When you use a Jeep Wrangler for kayaking, you need a kayak rack to secure the kayak on the top of the vehicle. During camping or kayaking, you might want to pack your kayak and other additional accessories in order to carry them with you, so the racks provide a lot of flexibility.

One of the best features of roof racks is that it provides extra space and are the best way to carry extra gear along with kayaks. You must do thorough research before buying the right kayak racks for your Jeep Wrangler.

It is very challenging to find the best kayak rack for jeep wrangler, so here are the top 8 best roof racks after extensive research that meet your needs and perfectly fits on the top of your vehicle.

We will take a closer look at all of these kayak racks for Jeep Wranglers and choose one that fits perfectly on the wrangler’s roof.

1. Hooke Road Roof Rack Cross Bars For Jeeps

Hooke Road Roof Rack Cross Bars Kayak Cargo Carriers Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK JL Gladiator JT 2007-2022 (4-Door Hard Top)

The Hooke Road roof rack cross bars are a great addition to your Jeep Wrangler JK, JL, or Gladiator JT. These cross bars provide you with the ability to add on carriers and accessories to your vehicle, while also reducing wind noise. The high-quality aluminum alloy and ABS plastic construction can hold up to 88 lbs of weight, making it perfect for light off-road use.

Wind Noise Reducing Strips

The Hooke Road roof rack cross bars come with wind noise-reducing strips and I love this feature. These strips are installed on the cross bars in order to reduce the amount of noise that is created when riding on the roads.

During off-road use, the wind noise-reducing strips will keep your Jeep Wrangler JK, JL, or Gladiator JT much quieter than without them and take your kayaking and camping experience to the next level.

Simple Installation and Excellent Load Capacity

These jeep kayak racks are easy to install with no drilling required. The two cross bars that you get are available in different lengths, with the shorter one being 50 inches for the front and the longer one is 50.78 inches for the rear. The crossbar width is about 3.15 inches. The Hooke Road roof rack is also able to carry up to 88 lbs, which makes it the perfect roof rack for light off-road use.

Plenty of Space for Carriers and Accessories

The Hooke Road roof rack cross bars provide ample space for carriers and accessories that you can carry during kayaking or camping. These full-length bars give you the ability to add on whatever you need to your Jeep Wrangler.

The Hooke Road roof rack is a great tool for those who are looking to add extra space and functionality to their off-road Jeep. With its wind noise reducing strips and easy installation, the Hooke Road roof rack is a must-have for any Jeep owner.

I personally recommend you to buy it because I also installed this rack on my own jeep wrangler and it works well to carry even heavier kayaks.

Pros
  • Reduces wind noise
  • Easy to install
  • Excellent load capacity
Cons
  • May be too long for some jeeps

2. IKURAM R Kayak/Surf/Ski Roof Best Jeep Kayak Racks

IKURAM R Kayak/Surf/Ski Roof Carrier Rack of Bilateral Premier J-Style Folding 4-in-1 for Canoe, SUP, Kayaks, Surfboard and Ski Board Rooftop Mount on SUV, Car and Truck

This IKURAM entire roof rack is specially designed for Jeep Wranglers with an easy to mount universal design. As it comes with a quick raise and folding design as well as multiple functions, you can easily carry it anywhere. It will keep your kayak safe and secure during the trip because it is made of premium quality materials that provide maximum protection.

Unique Design with Maximum Protection

As a first step, you receive this kayak rack with a unique multi-carry feature that lets you carry one or more kayaks or paddles without difficulty. The various configurations and features that you get to see on the top of it prove to be perfect to maximize your roof space.

One feature that sets it apart from others is the j-bars that can be used to lock it in different positions and angles. It is ideal for different uses along with an easy-to-use handle that significantly increases overhead clearance.  

Maximum Protection and Easy Mounting Feature

If you are traveling with your kayak, it is very important that you protect it as well as you jeep from scratches and other damages. The oversized kayak roof on this Jeep Wrangler offers the maximum level of protection.

In terms of quality and durability, you get these kayak roofs with thick and all-weather rubber saddles that effectively provide protection against rubbing and getting damaged. 

Another feature that plays an important role to protect your kayak from different scratches is that you get it with high-quality best-in-class top guard padding. Therefore, you can now travel long distances without worrying about your kayak.

You can install this kayak roof on your jeep wrangler with a J-cradle that easily accommodates kayaks that are 42″ wide and have a maximum weight capacity of 72kg. In addition, all the kayaks are perfect fits inside this kayak rack that have oval, square, or round shapes.

Durable and Waterproof Kayak Racks

It is the best kayak rack not only for jeep wrangler but you can also use it on other vehicles without any hesitation. The special thing about this kayak roof rack is that it is made of high-quality anodized aviation-grade aluminum alloy materials that make it lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and rust-resistant.

It cannot be used once during the trip, but because of the anti-corrosion and waterproof technology, you can use it for a longer period of time.

In the end, we personally recommend you to buy IKURAM R kayak roof rack because it is not for only a single kayak but you can also accommodate various kayaks with full of protection and easy mounting technology.

Pros
  • Very light weight
  • Durable and water resistant
  • Can be used on many types of vehicles
  • Comes with a universal and easy mount design
  • Available in several sizes
  • Has a quick raise and fold design
Cons
  • Not suitable for small kayaks

3. ECOTRIC J-Bar 2 Pairs Best Roof Rack for Jeep Wrangler Hard Top

ECOTRIC Universal J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier Holder Canoe Boat Surf Ski Board Roof Top Mounted on Crossbar for Car SUV Truck - Set of 4

If you have different types of kayaks such as round, oval, flat, and square then ECOTRIC is the best rack for a jeep wrangler. You can fully optimize it on your wrangler roof with fast installation and removal technology. The easy installation and effective padding make it perfect for transporting kayaks without being damaged. 

Optimized Design with Proper Dimension

As you know that during trips you can carry multiple kayaks so its optimized design with a j-style kayak carrier provides useful space. Due to its excellent and stunning design, you can easily carry kayaks that come with a dimension of 36″ wide and a max load capacity of 165 pounds. Keep your kayaks safe and secure during long trips on your jeep wrangler roof due to their perfect grip.

Easy and Proper Installation

Installation of kayak roofs on your jeep wrangler is one of the biggest hassles, so this jeep wrangler kayak roof makes it simple and easy. It comes with quick on/off hardware that will ensure you to easily install and remove the kayak racks universal mount on the jeep wrangler without any hesitation. Furthermore, a j-bar can load and unload very quickly, making it perfect for you. 

Durable and Heavy-Duty Kayak Roof Rack

During off-road trips, you might encounter different weather conditions, so this kayak roof rack is perfect because of its premium quality and heavy-duty materials. It will keep your kayaks safe and secure because you get it with a high-grade steel framing design along with adjustable padding.

It is not only durable, but it is also corrosion-free and rust-proof, so you can use it for other outdoor adventures as well as kayaking. The waterproof and weather-proof features keep the kayak racks protected, safe, and secure. Heavy-duty steel materials are used to manufacture this kayak roof along with rubber material that will protect the kayaks from scratches.

Last but not least, this is the best kayak rack for a jeep wrangler with excellent features if you are planning on kayaking. 

Pros
  • Easy to Install & Remove
  • Lightweight
  • Safe and Secure
  • Protects Your Kayaks From Scratches
  • Quick Loading & Unloading Technology
Cons
  • Not Suitable For Small Kayaks

4. TMS 2 Pairs J-Bar Best Kayak Racks for Jeeps

TMS® 2 Pairs J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier Canoe Boat Surf Ski Roof Top Mount Car SUV Crossbar

This TMS 2 best kayak rack for jeep wrangler comes with features of steel design and adjustable padding for easy loading and unloading. You get this kayak roof rack mount with a longer lifespan because it is made of high-quality rust-resistant materials with easy loading and unloading features. The different rack styles will maximize your space and allow you to store kayaks in various shapes and styles. 

Durable J-Style Design For Kayak Protection

Make your outdoor kayaking trip enjoyable and amazing by having this kayak roof rack on your jeep wrangler with a j-style design. Due to the j-style design, you can easily and quickly install the kayak roof racks on the jeep wrangler without any hesitation. Besides being made of high-quality steel materials, this kayak roof rack also includes adjustable padding which provides great strength and protection for kayaks.

Consume Minimal Space with a Proper Grip

When you install the kayak roof rack on your jeep wrangler so it will consume minimal space that making it different from others. On the other hand, the great feature is that it will easily accommodate 2 kayaks with proper grip. The J-Rac kayak carrier properly secures the kayaks from its side to consume the minimal space on the load bar.

This kayak roof rack is also made of high-quality materials and is easy to install on your jeep’s roof. Also, due to the optimized design, it proves to be perfect to accommodate kayaks that have a dimension of 36″ wide and it easily carries a weight of around 75 pounds.

Kayak Straps and Crossbar Fitment

In order to ensure that your kayaks are safe while on long trips, this kayak roof rack is equipped with two long straps. During an outdoor kayaking trip, it plays a critical role in providing excellent grip and preventing scratches and other damages. The unique and excellent feature of this jeep wrangler kayak roof rack is that it will perfectly accommodate different types of kayaks that are available in various sizes.

Before you purchase a kayak roof rack for a jeep wrangler you need to measure the kayaks to get the right kayak roof rack. Generally, you can easily carry kayaks that are available in different sizes such as oval, flat, square, and round. 

Lastly, if you are looking for a kayak that will easily mount on the top of the jeep wrangler without any feeling of stress then the TMS 2 kayak roof is a perfect choice.

Pros
  • Easy installation
  • Durable material
  • Perfect size
  • Adjustable padding
  • Longer lifespan
  • High quality
Cons
  • Not suitable for heavy loads
  • Only compatible with Jeep Wrangler

Check It On Ebay

5. HARKEN – Hardtop Best Roof Rack for Jeep Wrangler

HARKEN - Hardtop Overhead Garage Storage Hoist for Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, Self-Leveling, Safe Anti-Drop System, Easy One-Person Operation, (Bonus T Knobs for Quick Hard Top Removal)

HARKEN is the best kayak roof rack for jeep wrangler under 200 dollars that you can also use with other vehicles. Due to its safest design, you can easily install it on your jeep wranglers with its easy one-person operation feature. By having this type of rack roof for the jeep wrangler you don’t need any tool to install or remove it because of the thumbs screws.

Thumb Screws and One-Person Operation

If you are thinking about a kayaking trip so this kayak roof is the perfect choice for you because you can easily set it up alone due to the one-person operation feature. All you have to do is simply install the hoist, secure the load, and lift it without any hassle. Its unique feature is that it comes with a pulley system that provides a mechanical advantage of about 15-25 pounds.

This kayak roof rack mount perfectly fits on the jeep wrangler without any hesitation and you don’t need any tool because it comes with thumb screws. You can use the quick thumb screws for installing and removing the racks and the jeep hardtop bolts perfectly fit on the jeep wrangler of 2007 and later models. These thumb screws are made of high and premium quality and durable nylon materials that also comes with a 1-inch long steel stud.

Better Compatibility and Protection

Organize your kayaking trip with this roof rack on your Jeep Wrangler since it is specially designed to store your hardtop and kayaks conveniently. The great thing about this kayak roof rack is that it is compatible with not only the jeep wrangler but also with all vehicles such as Jeep Gladiator and Ford Bronco models etc.

In terms of protection, this rack pad kit is perfect because it is made of high-quality stainless steel hardware materials. It will effectively protect your kayaks from scratches and other damages because you get to see the rubber bonding backing on the top of it and the bearing pulleys keep the system running smoothly.

Anti-Drop System and Lightweight & Safest Design

The great thing about this kayak roof rack is that it will protect the kayaks from being damaged with an anti-drop system even if the rope is dropped. It plays a significant role to provide self-locking cleat grips that instantly prevent any accidental release.

It provides excellent grip for your kayak and you can drive your jeep wrangler without having to worry about damage. It is also a lightweight kayak roof rack that will keep your jeep wrangler and other vehicles safe and secure at all times even if the kayak is heavy. 

So, if you have this HARKEN kayak roof rack on your jeep wranglers so you get an amazing kayaking experience for longer periods of time without getting your kayak with scratches.

Pros
  • Easy installation
  • Safe and secure
  • Thumbs screws
  • Quick thumb screws
  • Anti-drop system
Cons
  • Does not fit on older versions of jeeps

6. Malone Folding J-Style Best Roof Rack for Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Malone Downloader Folding J-Style Universal Car Rack Kayak Carrier with Bow and Stern Lines

The Malone kayak rack for wrangler is an excellent option and plays a significant role to protect your kayaks and boats during transport to get a great kayaking experience. Kayaks of various shapes can be stacked on these racks, including square, oval, and flat ones. They also provide better overhead clearance. It will effectively protect the kayak once stapped down due to the oversized Integrated rubber pads.

Oversized Padding with J-Style Carrier

When you are going for kayaking on a jeep wrangler’s roof so it is very important to keep it safe and secure when you have a heavier kayak. Inside these roof racks, you get to see the oversized and enhanced foam padding that will keep the kayaks safe and secure all the time during the off-road trip. 

On the other hand, it is very easy for you to install and remove it because it comes with a high-quality j-style carrier that has a specially built-in boarding ramp. Due to the boarding ramp, it also proves to be perfect for easy loading different luggage such as kayaks and others.

Fold-Down Technology with Excellent Compatibility

All of your worries about carrying kayaks are gone because this rack roof for jeep wranglers are comes with fold-down technology. In addition to increasing the overhead clearance and preventing your kayaks from being damaged, this technology also keeps them scratch-free and safe. In terms of compatibility, it is perfect for jeep wranglers and other vehicles along with the MPG351 Telos Load Assist.

Excellent Fitting with Buckle Protector

When it comes to sizing and fitting so you get this kayak roof rack for jeep wrangler with a length of 17-inches, width of 6-inches, and height of 19.5-inches. All of your kayaks are perfect fits on the roof of the jeep wranglers because it offers a load-carrying capacity of around 75lb. So, it is possible that you can carry more than 1 kayak on the top of the jeep wrangler by having this roof rack.

In addition, this best roof rack for jeep wrangler has easily accommodated all types of kayaks that are available in various shapes such as the oval, flat, round, etc. It will keep your kayaks safe and secure because you get it with a buckle protector along with the Cam-style load straps. Furthermore, you can also see the 60mm and 70mm pre-coated mounting bolts, which enhance the overall protection.

Finally, we especially recommend you to buy these best wrangler kayak racks in multiple colors and enjoy better kayaking and trip experience.

Pros
  • Oversized rubber tube padding
  • Fold-down technology
  • Easy installation and removal
  • Buckle protector
  • 60mm and 70mm mounting bolts
Cons
  • Does not work on older versions of jeep wranglers

7. Leader 2 Pair J Bar Best Kayak Rack for Jeep Wrangler

Leader Accessories Kayak Rack 2 Pair J Bar for Canoe Surf Board SUP On Roof Top Mount Crossbar with 4 pcs Tie Down Straps

The leader 2 pair kayak rack durable steel construction protects it from weather extremes, making it the best jeep wrangler kayak rack you can use for multiple purposes. You can travel without any hesitation by having this because it offers excellent grip to your kayaks and keep them safe due to the foam padding. With its easy installation on the Jeep Wrangler roof, you can enjoy a better kayaking experience.

Heavy-Duty, Soft, and Rust-Resistant Kayak Rack

Our recommendation is to buy this kayak roof rack as a result of its durability, steel, rust-resistant, and compact design. During off-road trips, it is very important to keep the kayak safe, secure, and scratch-proof so this kayak roof rack is the perfect choice for you. This kayak roof rack comes with adjustable padding that keeps your kayak safe and secure while traveling.

You get this kayak roof rack with a heavy-duty steel frame that is made of premium quality, durable, and rust-resistant hardware. You get it with powder-coated steel construction that will make the kayak stronger and not easy to get rust. In addition, when you can use this kayak roof rack so it will reduce the chances of scratches because of the extra foam padded design that will protect the kayak from any kind of rubbing.

Best Kayak Rack for Multiple Purpose

The excellent feature of this best kayak roof rack is that you can not only use it to carry a kayak during outdoor trips but also use it for different purposes. You can carry a kayak as well as Canoe, Suif board, Skiboard, Snow Board, and SUP without any damage. So, when you are on an outdoor trip with your kayak so all of your worries about the kayak getting damaged.

Easy Installation and J-Carrier Compact Design

It also comes with quick on/off hardware that makes it easy and quick to attach and remove the kayak rack without any hassle. Moreover, you can set it up within a few minutes and it provides an excellent grip for your kayak and keep it safe and secure.

The j-carrier design of this kayak and luggage carrier plays a significant role to creates a useful space for other luggage. All the kayaks that come with the dimension of 8ft long and a kayaks weight range of 150 Lbs are safe and easy to transport during outdoor kayaking trips. You can easily carry more than 1 kayak if you are using this kayak roof rack on the top of the jeep wrangler.

In the end, if you are looking for a kayak jeep roof rack for wrangler that is durable, rust-proof, and offers excellent grip then a Leader kayak is the best choice for you.

Pros
  • Durable
  • Easy installation
  • Steel construction
  • Quick on/off
  • J-carrier design
  • Offers excellent grip
Cons
  • Not suitable for small kayaks

8. SMARTENPLUS Universal Kayak Rack Holder J-Style Racks for Weangler

SMARTENPLUS Universal Kayak Rack Holder J Bar , 2 pairs-Bar HD Kayak Rack Carrier Canoe Boat Surf Ski Roof Top Mount Car SUV Crossbar

The SMARTENPLUS is the best camping gear and cost-effective solution to carry different types of kayaks on your jeep wrangler that consume minimal space. It provides a longer lifespan because it is made of high-quality and rust-resistant materials. It allows you to quickly install and remove the kayak without any hesitation due to the j-style career so after buying this kayak rack for jeep wrangler you are not at loss.

Rust-Resistant and Adjustable Soft Rubber Pads

As you know that during outdoor trips you are facing different types of climates so it is very important to have a kayak roof that is rust-resistant. Keeping in mind all of your needs this kayak roof rack for jeep wrangler proves to be perfect because it is made of corrosion-free materials. This high-quality material increases the overall lifespan of the roof rack that will protect your kayak from being damaged.

It is very important to keep the kayak scratch-free during kayaking trip so to accomplish this goal this kayak rack come up with adjustable soft rubber pads. It provides a soft feeling to your kayak and keeps secure from jumps during off-road trips.

Easy to Assemble and Perfect Alignment

It is a set of 4 kayak racks that allow you to carry 2 kayaks at the same time to get a better kayaking experience. You also get the 4 straps and a set of mounting hardware that offers excellent grip and keep the kayaks safe, secure, and scratch-free. It is very easy for you to install and remove the kayak roof rack on the jeep wrangler without any hesitation and it will easily accommodate kayaks up to 36″ and a weight capacity of 75 Lbs.

At first sight, you get this kayak roof rack in steel design along with the j-style carrier that provides excellent roof space. In addition, the intended tubing design makes this kayak roof safe, secure transport, and stable all the time. Another feature that plays an important role to keep them stable is that it comes with a pre-punched hole that offers perfect alignment. 

Lastly, this is the best kayak roof rack for jeep wrangler that is made of high-quality alloy steel materials to increase the overall lifespan.

Pros
  • Rust resistant
  • Soft padding
  • Easy to assemble
  • Perfect alignment
Cons
  • No warranty 

9. CURT 18320 Fully Adjustable Aluminum Kayak Racks

CURT 18320 Fully Adjustable Aluminum Universal Kayak Roof Rack Carrier, 2-Pack

If you are using a CURT 18320 adjustable kayak rack for a jeep wrangler that lasts long and is lightweight then this is a great choice for you. It is known as a universal kayak rack that can be mounted on not only Jeep Wranglers, but also a wide range of vehicles. It is made of high-quality aluminium powder-coated high grade materials that prove to be perfect to provide corrosion-resistant.

Highly-Adjustable and No-Tool Installation

The unique and special feature that makes this kayak rack different from other is that it is highly adjustable that comes with rotating arms. Due to this feature, it is very easy to be adjusted to perfectly fits all types of kayaks that are available in different shapes such as the factory oval, flat, and round shape etc. Moreover, it is the best portable kayak rack for jeep wrangler that you can easily fold up completely and pack inside the bag without any hesitation.

Also, you don’t need any tool to install it on the jeep wrangler’s roof because you get it with j-carrier style along with universal hardware such as simple T-nuts. All you have to do is to place it on the top of the jeep wrangler or other vehical and simple tight the nuts and you are ready for the kayaking trip. It will make the carrying process easy and the perfect cradle allow you to securely travel with a kayak.

Lightweight and Corrosion-Resistant

It is a very lightweight kayak rack that comes with a loading capacity of 75 pounds. In addition, this kayak roof carrier is constructed with aluminium tubing and this profile is strong and unencumbered. Due to the lightweight feature, it is very easy to attach and remove the entire rack within just a few minutes.

During off-road trips when you are facing different types of the climate so you need to protect the kayak rack from corrosion so this kayak roof rack is corrosion-free. It will keep the kayak from being damaged and adjustable rubber tube padding protects it from scratches. Your kayaks as well as kayak roofs are comes with the excellent security and safe even during frequent water exposure.

Lastly, this kayak rack is unique in that it is portable and foldable, and it is also lightweight. 

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Portable
  • Highly adjustable
  • Folds down
Cons
  • Not for Small Kayaks

Conclusion

In the end, we hope that now you are well aware of all the best kayak rack for jeep wrangler mentioned above that meets all of your needs. There are different types of kayak racks available online, but you need to choose the one that is perfectly suited to your needs. A lot of research has been done and we have come up with the best jeep wrangler kayaks that are suitable for you.

FAQs

Q1. Can you put a kayak on a Jeep Wrangler?

Yes, you can put a kayak on a Jeep Wrangler. There are several ways to do this, including using a roof rack or trailer hitch.

Q2. What is the easiest kayak rack to use?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference and the type of kayak you have. Some people find that a roof rack is the easiest to use, while others prefer a trailer hitch.

How do you store a kayak on a Jeep?

There are a few different ways that you can store a kayak on a Jeep. One way is to use straps to secure the kayak to the roof of the Jeep. Another way is to use a trailer hitch and mount the kayak on the back of the Jeep. Whichever method you choose, make sure that the kayak is secure and won’t fall off while you are driving.

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