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A great alternative to full feature kayak saddles
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An Ideal, Inexpensive Kayak Rack Alternative
The Thule 881 Top Deck Rooftop Kayak Carrier is the ideal alternative to an expensive full-featured kayak rack that paddlers on a budget should consider. Simple yet results-oriented, the 881 Top Rack Carrier is a complete carrier system built around four custom rubberized saddles that are designed to conform to the most popular hull shapes. The generalized aim of this design allows the saddles of the Top Deck to be usable with a wide array of kayaks up to 36" wide and up to 75 lbs. The saddles of the 881 Top Deck also contain integrated rubber pads that virtually eliminate the chance of slippage due to their large contact surface area.
The Thule 881 Top Deck Rooftop Kayak Carrier features completely tool-free installation. Its four saddles are mounted using a combination of bolts and wing knobs on virtually any roof rack, including all Thule base racks, round cross bars and factory installed roof racks with cross bars. It also includes all the necessary straps to secure kayaks to cross bars, as well as bow and stern tiedowns with hooks attachments to further secure mounted kayaks to your bumper or tow hook by way of your kayak's grab handles.
Key Features
- Integrated rubber pads protect the hull and help hold the kayak in place for transportation
- Carries 1 kayak and requires 1 person to load and unload
- Includes all straps to transport 1 kayak
- Accommodates kayaks up to 36-inches wide and 75 lbs
- Fits Thule rack systems, round bars and most factory racks
Specifications
- Carry Type - Horizontal
- Load Capacity Water Craft - 1 kayak
- Factory Rack Mounting - Yes
- Fits Aero Profile - Yes
- Fits square bar - Yes
- Lockable - No
- One Key System Compatible - No
What's in the Box
Thule 881 Top Deck Rooftop Kayak Carrier (4 saddles), all necessary hardware, straps, rope and mounting knobs, user's manual and warranty information.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule.
About Thule
Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.
bjc68speed
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2025
These are not inexpensive! But, I've had "cheap ones" and they cost more in the long run! My kayaks are very secure with these! I mounted my kayaks a week before a 500 mile trip just to see how they did. Drove all week, and no movement at all! Recommend these highly!
Jim Kaz
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2024
Thule 881 Saddle bolts were too short to fit on my Thule Exporter racks. Had to buy longer bolts.
cw
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024
attaches to bar easily but the kayak no matter the tie down slips off the top deck.
richardcontant
Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2020
Had my kayak cracked by the hard and not big enough surface of this support for my Kaskazi Dorado II...
K.A.
Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2020
I *might* be able to use this to carry my kayak on top of my car, but loading/unloading it would be really difficult to impossible for one person on an average-sized SUV. Also, the four holders are pretty big, but are not designed to pivot for some reason (?!?), so your kayak will only be held by a relatively small area on its hull, which is to say not nearly as securely as it could have been, but maybe securely enough. Maybe it would work better with a hard-chime kayak.Another strange decision is the construction of the straps and tiedowns: the straps do not have the rubber piece to avoid damaging the car as you are throwing the buckles over the kayak. The tiedowns don't have the ratchet mechanism leaving you to wonder how exactly one is supposed to tie anything down with a rope and a single hook. Of course my Thule rack that has all those things sorted out costs 5x as much and is a lot easier to use. If you are serious about moving a kayak by car you probably don't want this particular rack, not for a car anyway.I got this to use at a marina which stores my kayak on a big rack with square bars. I got the idea that this might do it as some car racks have square bars too, and it did, if only just! My berth is lower to the ground so I don't have to throw straps over anything, and the tiedowns I didn't need.
Marc-Olivier
Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2015
Work very well!
pistol maddog
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2014
I bought this kayak rack instead of the "J" racks because it was slightly less expensive and read that it was more stable. I've been using it for a few months now and have had zero problems. It has tightly stayed attached to my base rack after multiple uses and the strap system keeps my kayak tightly secured even over longer trips. The system is also very quick and easy, which allows me to load or unload my kayak under 5 minutes each time. I'd consider this a great product and would recommend it to anyone looking for a kayak carrier.
kart
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2013
I have a tandem Ocean Kayak sit on top. It's secure enough, but it doesn't sit comfortable. I also find it hard getting it up and into the paddles and I have to adjust them once it's on the roof. I think the price is also a bit steep for what it is.
Kspence
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2013
This rack worked as advertised. I was able to have the one kayak in the middle of the roof, and then put two bicycles, one on each side of the kayak, on the same rack system (58 inch). Without the rollers, you have to have two people to get the kayak on and off. It is also very important to use a towel or mat on the car, because it takes two tall men to get the kayak on the rack without touching the car. I put it on with my daughter, and the towel saved the car from certain scratches that would have occurred without the towel. I used the two tie straps that came with it, and then connected another strap to the front of the Kayak and tied that to the front of the van for the extra stability. We did not need to tie down the back. It was very secure.
ChaskaLady
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2012
I have a Rav4 and needed a rack for my kayak that was sturdy, safe, easy for me to get my kayak into, and would fit into my meager budget. This fits the bill in every way. It came with two solid straps and tie downs, however I just use the straps. Once you strap it in and the fact that the saddles have rubber grip material, your kayak isn't going anywhere. In fact the bigger challenge for me is getting the kayak off the saddles once I get to my destination. I've learned that it is easier to just loosen the saddles on one side of the car and then pull the kayak off the saddles and gently slide it down the back end of my Rav4. I did purchase the Thule 854 water slide to help me with sliding the kayak on and off my car and to protect my car from getting scratched. I'm a 56 year old women who is not overly strong but I can handle this just fine. Happy kayaking everyone!
HD Hockey Guy
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2012
I got this carrier after using a THULE Hull a Port carrier for 5 years. Picking up a kayak and having to step up on a cooler to reach the Hull a Port got to be a little laboring and after pulling my back once doing the clean and jerk move and overextending to reach the carrier on top of my Xterra, I decided this design may be a better option for me hauling just a single kayak as I can slide it up from the back and use the SUV roof as leverage. It works somewhat well, but I didn't expect both sets of the carrier to have rubber on them which stops the kayak from sliding forward once you have it half loaded. The rubber grabs and even started to roll up from the friction of trying to load it so I end up climbing up and semi-lifting and sliding it into the final position.It's not that bad if I put up a towel and use the roof as a lever and drop it down but it's still a tad trickier than I would have liked. After I bought this carrier I saw another brand of carrier with a similar design but the back set actually had little rollers while the front set had rubber to keep it from sliding. I think that design would have been perfect for me. This isn't an issue if you have a car or lower height SUV, so if you are buying for that type of vehicle, these would be 5 stars for sure.Overall another good product from THULE.
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