Reddit reviews Thule 830 The Stacker (4) Kayak Carrier
We found 3 Reddit comments about Thule 830 The Stacker (4) Kayak Carrier. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Fold-down steel design with non-scratch outer coatingQuick on/off hardware ensures fast installation and removal amdCarries up to 4 recreational kayaks but includes all straps to transport 1 kayakAccommodates kayaks up to 36 in/90 cm wide and to weight capacity of 75 lbs/35 kgRequires Thule rack systems crossbars, round bars, or factory racks - see Buyer's Guide
http://www.amazon.com/Thule-830-Stacker-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B0001FUAXQ/
This is the one I use, I have oval bars. I can get two boats on the roof of a Mazda two. Ones a 12', the other is 11'. Provided you ratchet them well and use a front and back tie down to the back and front bumper of the car, its totally doable.
I have a fusion and let me tell you these cars are not made to carry kayaks so you have a few things to buy. I'm gonna attach everything I bought for you and I've had great results with it so far.
Roof rack SportRack SR1002 Complete Roof Rack System, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BHWMDSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_63UbzbPVPJJQX
Kayak rack Thule 830 The Stacker (4) Kayak Carrier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001FUAXQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_k5UbzbKX7MW08
Under the hood bow and stern tie points. The whole car is plastic and there's no safe spots to tie them. Thule 530 Quick Loop Strap,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EOZD26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_X5Ubzb54HDK4S
Okay, so believe it or not there are factors here that haven't been brought up in the other comments.
First off, what kind of kayaks are we talking about? For whitewater boats, the Thule Stacker or Yakima Bigstack are the obvious choices, but if you're carrying fiberglass touring boats, you won't want either of those.
Second, why is it that you want to fold down - just for aesthetics or do you need to clear an overhead obstruction, like a garage door? If it's just for aesthetics I might encourage you just not to worry about it - carrying your boats safely and loading and unloading easily is a lot more important.
If you're carrying touring or rec boats and want a fold-down solution, the Swiss Cargo carrier is a good option. As far as I know it's really an in-house brand at Dick's Sporting Goods, there's a link elsewhere in the comments. It's essentially a fold-down two sided J bar. Great for what you've described. But I wouldn't recommend it for whitewater boats.
An Expedition is very tall. Loading boats on your roof can't possibly be a pleasant experience. If you're loading heavy boats, I'd really suggest looking into a Thule Hullavator. It's crazy expensive, but it stays horizontal and has a relatively low profile, while greatly simplifying access to your high roof. But because it's so expensive, it's really targeted toward touring paddlers with heavy boats and old shoulders.
My buddy uses [Thule Stackers])http://www.amazon.com/Thule-830-Stacker-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B0001FUAXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1459269597&sr=1-1&keywords=thule+stacker) on his Tahoe and loves them, but loading is an ordeal that involves a lot of climbing. The Stackers fold out of the way, and unlike the Yakimas they've got a slot in the middle to hold paddles. I use them on my VW when I'm not carrying the boats inside the car (for best fuel efficiency). But for easiest loading for touring and rec boats, you'd be better off with a set of j-bars for each boat. Thule now offers the Hullaport Aero which is pretty nice - J-bars that fold flat. But still a bit pricey. You can get non-folding j bars on ebay for $50 a set.