Need some ideas

Any ideas for car topping a 17.5 foot collapsable kayak on a new Dodge Caravan? Don't want to put any holes in the roof or scratch the doors. Yakima, etc., systems only have a maximum spread of about 30 inches, which would leave my bow and stern precariously unsupported (this is not a rigid hull boat). I used to use a van with rain gutters which gave me a nice 8 foot spread between cross supports. I think it is mission impossible.

Sherwin Dubren

My Voyager has roof racks..does your Caravan? At first it seems an impossible task.

I tied roap loops to metal supports under the hood. I expose the loops when needed and secure the front of my sixteen and a half foot canoe to them. The rear ties go under the back bumber to the frame.

If you do not have enough length to your collapsed kayak for this to work, try extending it by making a frame from lumber or perhaps an aluminum ladder...secure the kayak to the longer frame which ties front and back to your Caravan.

A new Grand Caravan gives a spread of 60+ inchjes using Thule bars on the factory racks. Even if you do not have a Grand, you should still have 48+ inches. That still leaves you 6+ feet off each end unsupported, but what about a foam cradle held under the boat right at the front of the roof?

If it is collapsable, store it inside. Big boost to fuel economy, and no money spent on the rack.

Use foam blocks and tie-downs from back and front bumper to bow and stern. A couple of ropes/straps across and through the windows as well.

Hang glider owners commonly use an aluminum ladder to support an even longer roof load.