The Thule 830 The Stacker Rooftop Kayak Carrier is the most efficient way to carry multiple whitewater kayaks on virtually any vehicle. The 830 Stacker replaces Thule's 520 Kayak Stacker, and securely holds up to four kayaks at a time.
With Thule's The Stacker tying boats down is now easier than ever with its upper-bridge design, and vehicle-to-vehicle transfers are also easier with its proven universal mounting hardware. The Stacker looks good while in use, and gives a clean look when its not by folding down flat and out of the way. This kayak carrier includes one pair of ratcheting tie downs, two straps and buckle protectors, and fits Thule bars, Yakima bars, and most factory-installed racks.
What's in the Box?
2 x Stacker kayak carrier brackets, 2 x ratcheting tie downs, 2 x straps, 2 x buckle protectors, all necessary mounting hardware, and instruction guide
Manufacturer's Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
Manufacturer: Thule
Lowest Used Price: USD 40.00
Lowest New Price: USD 89.00
works great, kayaks stay on
Just FYI, you can put two kayaks on with only one rack, as long as you buy some extra straps for the second boat. I bought two, since we have two kayaks, but only needed one. That said, I did need the second set of straps, ropes, and hooks. When we eventually buy two more boats (total of 4), I will only need to buy some extra straps and we will be all set.
Thule 830 kayak carrier
This is a good deal for someone wanting to carry a couple of Kayaks, without spending a small fortune.
The only problem was, the instructions were a little vague, and no pictures to guide you. There are drawings, but leave a lot to be desired.
They claim you can carry four kayaks, but until I see a picture of how to do this, I would only carry two.
Still, it is a good deal to take your kayaks to the water.
I'm glad I made the purchase, and the dealer was great, and the price is reasonable
works great!
am carrying two kayaks with this. especially like the front and rear tie-downs that come with it.
Pretty fair carrier
This is my first Thule product after having used Yakima racks for bikes, kayaks, and a canoe for over twenty years. Yakima makes fine stuff, but as you would expect from a system based on round bars there is sometimes a rotational component when various forces act on the load. This can be overcome, but sometimes requires tightening the hardware to a point you worry about stress damage. From a hardware standpoint, the thule square bars make a lot more sense. I purchased the stacker 830 for various reasons, but it supposedly worked well with Yakima bars as well as factory racks. It attached to Yakima without a problem.
In the world of guys trying to tie things onto the car top, I would say I'm about average. I have never (yet) had anything come flying off but its been close. The thule is probably fine for smaller kayaks, but one of mine is an old Torrent(a large, wide boat-- great for kids) and I had trouble keeping it from leaning. I tried several configurations before I found one seemed to work and eventually it leaned also. I finally just accepted it and stopped worrying. Failure to tighten the straps enough was not the problem. I found myself at a gas station standing on the roof on my SUV pulling with both hands. I don't think it could have been tighter.
The front and back tie downs are great and the system works reasonably well, but if I had to do it again I would probably go with two J-Shaped rigs.
Thule 830
Attached easily to a 2003 Honda Odyssey with factory bars. Only bad aspect, the Odyssey doesn't have easily accessible rear tie downs, so the rear tie down melted by being too close to the muffler.
