Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Kanulock or Thule lockable straps? Recommendations.

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Created by DaveL1963 > 9 months ago, 11 May 2019
DaveL1963
NSW, 47 posts
11 May 2019 8:27AM
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Any thoughts regarding these two options. 14'x28" sup on roof racks for trip around Australia.

Helmy
VIC, 796 posts
11 May 2019 10:17AM
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I use the Kanulocks. I have 2 sets, plus heaps on non lockables.
Havent tried the Thules.
Kanulocks good, but :
they need lubricating now and then - take some wd40
keys are small and not particularly sturdy - easy to mislay - i keep them on a rope that lives in the consol of the car
the rubber collars can kinda melt in heat - I've had a couple melt and break on the corner. Kanulock will replace them, or they do superglue together again pretty well
the loose ends don't tie off very well. the s/s wire makes them a bit stiff, but that's just the nature of what they are - lockable and secure - can present problems if your racks aren't wide enough

Interested to hear the Thule comparison though

obijohn
123 posts
11 May 2019 8:45AM
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I have been using Kanulocks for two years now to lock down two 16' downwind boards on our van. So far, they have worked great. Like was said, a squirt of WD40 every few month to keep the locks working smoothly. Some people complain about the locks being hard to work, but if you read the instructions, and pull on the housing properly, they work just fine. If we are going to be leaving the boards out overnight, I do add a heavy chain encased in a cloth fabric protective layer, around each board and the rack bar.

primevalmariner
NSW, 9 posts
11 May 2019 10:59AM
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Used Kanulocks for 12 week trip to WA last year with two SUPs on roofracks. Very happy with them. Locking mechanism can get a bit tight so be careful not to bend lightweight keys. Just don't force key to turn, take the pressure of the lock by pulling the locking lever a bit firmer on the strap while turning the key. Same when unlocking. I also put the two straps tight around both boards just in front of fins (narrowest point) and then put the boards under my camper with a bike lock chain attached through the straps to the chassis when I didn't want to take boards away with me on the car or when I wanted to keep them out of the sun. You can do the same with one strap and use the second to loop through the chassis if you want.
A good deterrent for amateur walk by opportunists.

KP.
NSW, 106 posts
11 May 2019 11:24AM
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The kanu locks are great if you want to protect your gear. I have 3 sets and they have never failed me. Going on 9 years with one set now. Worth the money to spend as it is a lot of time and money to replace if they are stolen.

JEG
VIC, 1469 posts
11 May 2019 11:43AM
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Lockrack if carry 1 to 2 boards, if more then strap it is.

DaveL1963
NSW, 47 posts
12 May 2019 7:31AM
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Anyone else got feedback on using the lockrack system? Is it the Universal model that is being used for sups?
Thanks.

JEG
VIC, 1469 posts
12 May 2019 8:43AM
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Yup universal if you carry 1 or 2 sup but ask for the 50cm base.

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
12 May 2019 10:23AM
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Select to expand quote
DaveL1963 said..
Anyone else got feedback on using the lockrack system? Is it the Universal model that is being used for sups?
Thanks.


No not the universal. There is SUP specific 50 or 65 widths. When you open their site click on the view all. You will see sup, once in there you can choose width and colour, interesting to note black is dearer than other colours.
Great product for up two boards, I compressed foam between lockrack and roof racks this stopped what little whistle there was. Interestingly my other car doesn't whistle at all without foam, did I say what a great product it is.
And I don't have any affiliation with company.

DaveSandan
VIC, 1364 posts
12 May 2019 12:50PM
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I use the Kanulock straps as well as some cheap ones I throw in my pack when DWing and they are good however over a long road trip of more than an hour they always loosen off and the board starts to move around. When you drive from Melb to Noosa it's a pain constantly stopping to tighten them up especially on a windy day, any fixes for this issue?

Helmy
VIC, 796 posts
12 May 2019 5:54PM
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Its the board that moves, not the Kanulocks Dave. every strap has the same issues IMO.

WCC
50 posts
12 May 2019 4:36PM
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I know you wanted feedback on the two options, but I have also used straps till I started using the Lockracks and now I don't use anything else. It's just so easy with no more messing around with straps and readjusting boards on trips. Been driving at 140 on the freeways with SUPs on it and it is solid - what's more is that they are also secure for leaving your boards on the car while out paddling.

DaveL1963
NSW, 47 posts
13 May 2019 5:24PM
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Are the lockracks suitable for securing a 14' sup? Is there an option for carrying 2 x 14' sups? Thanks.

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
13 May 2019 5:47PM
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Select to expand quote
WCC said..
I know you wanted feedback on the two options, but I have also used straps till I started using the Lockracks and now I don't use anything else. It's just so easy with no more messing around with straps and readjusting boards on trips. Been driving at 140 on the freeways with SUPs on it and it is solid - what's more is that they are also secure for leaving your boards on the car while out paddling.



140kph now we're talking, what country you in.

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
13 May 2019 5:55PM
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Select to expand quote
DaveL1963 said..
Are the lockracks suitable for securing a 14' sup? Is there an option for carrying 2 x 14' sups? Thanks.


I don't have a 14 but I've seen plenty using lockrack, not sure on two up

WCC
50 posts
13 May 2019 7:13PM
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Select to expand quote
DaveL1963 said..
Are the lockracks suitable for securing a 14' sup? Is there an option for carrying 2 x 14' sups? Thanks.


Yes, you get a longer arm extension for double boards.

Todzilla
189 posts
14 May 2019 8:29AM
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I use the KanuLocks, but only for security. I use the standard Sea to Summit silicone straps to do the heavy work of holding the board down, then I use the KL's for security. You don't want to pull the KL's down too hard, I've heard tales of the wires digging into rails if pulled too tight...

DHUPEDNORTH1
111 posts
14 May 2019 10:51AM
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I've used green and yellow (longer) Kanulocks many many years and they are good in that they do the job, keep your boards secured on the roof, and safe from opportunistic thieves. But, my issues with them which I wish they would fix (they may have already) is:

1. the ends of my shorter green straps are sharp enough (and have been from the start) to damage the paint on my car when I throw them over the top and they hit the side panels. Happened on three cars now (i.e. not a specific car and weak paint). Took me a while to work out what was causing the oddly aligned scratches - first wondered if the neighbour's cat had been sliding down the sides off the roof to cause them. Dear Kanulock, please make the ends covered with something soft.

2. the keys are made out of some weak metal, or I am getting superhuman stength (it's possible). They bend too easily. So much effort is put into the quality of the straps, and then to have such easily bendable/breakable keys? It just doesn't make sense. Please make keys out of something stronger than a gummy bear alloy please Kanulock.

(Also, it is a good idea to have the board in a bag so that they aren't marked by the straps, and don't do them too tight on an uncovered board)

Other than that, have always used them. Worth the money for the piece of mind.

Helmy
VIC, 796 posts
14 May 2019 4:20PM
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Select to expand quote
DHUPEDNORTH1 said..
I've used green and yellow (longer) Kanulocks many many years and they are good in that they do the job, keep your boards secured on the roof, and safe from opportunistic thieves. But, my issues with them which I wish they would fix (they may have already) is:

1. the ends of my shorter green straps are sharp enough (and have been from the start) to damage the paint on my car when I throw them over the top and they hit the side panels. Happened on three cars now (i.e. not a specific car and weak paint). Took me a while to work out what was causing the oddly aligned scratches - first wondered if the neighbour's cat had been sliding down the sides off the roof to cause them. Dear Kanulock, please make the ends covered with something soft.

2. the keys are made out of some weak metal, or I am getting superhuman stength (it's possible). They bend too easily. So much effort is put into the quality of the straps, and then to have such easily bendable/breakable keys? It just doesn't make sense. Please make keys out of something stronger than a gummy bear alloy please Kanulock.

(Also, it is a good idea to have the board in a bag so that they aren't marked by the straps, and don't do them too tight on an uncovered board)

Other than that, have always used them. Worth the money for the piece of mind.


Re your first problem - I'm guessing your straps are old if the s/s wire is showing through the ends. This because the webbing will shrink over time, but the wire won't. If the ends are sticking through, then pull them out an inch or so further and them cut the end off with wire cutters. Then pull the webbing back over the wire.

Agree with the key issue

DHUPEDNORTH1
111 posts
15 May 2019 10:04AM
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Select to expand quote
Helmy said..

DHUPEDNORTH1 said..
I've used green and yellow (longer) Kanulocks many many years and they are good in that they do the job, keep your boards secured on the roof, and safe from opportunistic thieves. But, my issues with them which I wish they would fix (they may have already) is:

1. the ends of my shorter green straps are sharp enough (and have been from the start) to damage the paint on my car when I throw them over the top and they hit the side panels. Happened on three cars now (i.e. not a specific car and weak paint). Took me a while to work out what was causing the oddly aligned scratches - first wondered if the neighbour's cat had been sliding down the sides off the roof to cause them. Dear Kanulock, please make the ends covered with something soft.

2. the keys are made out of some weak metal, or I am getting superhuman stength (it's possible). They bend too easily. So much effort is put into the quality of the straps, and then to have such easily bendable/breakable keys? It just doesn't make sense. Please make keys out of something stronger than a gummy bear alloy please Kanulock.

(Also, it is a good idea to have the board in a bag so that they aren't marked by the straps, and don't do them too tight on an uncovered board)

Other than that, have always used them. Worth the money for the piece of mind.



Re your first problem - I'm guessing your straps are old if the s/s wire is showing through the ends. This because the webbing will shrink over time, but the wire won't. If the ends are sticking through, then pull them out an inch or so further and them cut the end off with wire cutters. Then pull the webbing back over the wire.

Agree with the key issue


thx but there's no wire showing. It's happened from the start. It's possibly the hard glue/resin(it seems to have some hard substance there holding the end?) at the end of the strap. It doesn't happen on the yellows because they are longer and so the ends don't hit the doors/rear panels like the greens do.

R4H
NSW, 65 posts
21 May 2019 6:21PM
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Bought the Thule ones first and had two pair replaced under warranty and when the third pair broke they replaced them with Kanulocks. The problem with the Thule ones was that it was a single cable and the nylon ends weren't sealed/welded sufficiently enough to stop the cable breaking through.

DaveL1963
NSW, 47 posts
25 May 2019 6:31AM
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What length KanuLock straps would be recommended for a 14' x 28" sup. Thanks.

Area10
1508 posts
25 May 2019 7:21AM
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The Thule ones are easier to use than the Kanulock ones, but they are less secure and are expensive for what they are. I'm not a great fan of kanulocks -mine now won't close, the webbing seems too thick for the cam and the metal cable has poked out of one of them. But the Thule ones aren't great either. I think there's a gap in the market for something better than both.

colinm63
SA, 59 posts
25 May 2019 2:43PM
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I have used the lock racks for couple years, great system no problems. No worries with two 14 footers. Sometimes i will put the kanulocks as well for extra security in a dodgy place.

CAPWP
66 posts
29 May 2019 2:57AM
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I have the yellow and the green one, are really good very hard to find in stores, but give you a extra feel of safety if you stop for a few time on stored, they keep away the opportunity people, but some if they are prepared they will cut easily. depend where are you gonna parking. In the mall with safety i normally left to go eat make some pays or sometimes to get inside movie. but this mall have safety people take care the parking spot.

In places where no safety people look the parking i put inside my car, jeje
regards

mickmick
NSW, 5 posts
29 Jan 2020 1:34PM
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Have just bought the "Lockrack Single SUP" 65cm set. A superb product. Has cut down loading/unloading of board to less than a minute. I have 3 boards with widths ranging from 291/4 to 32" and they each separately fit and lock rock solid. The rack is unobtrusive when boards are removed and there is no wind whistle at any time. The price is a bargain. The after sales service is exceptional which is the main reason I have taken the time to write this review. I have no affiliation with the company.

mbuzz
NSW, 261 posts
29 Jan 2020 1:56PM
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I use normal straps and then have a system that's similar to Docks Locks

www.dockslocks.com

The main advantage being you can use to secure your boards off the car.

JEG
VIC, 1469 posts
29 Jan 2020 2:29PM
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Lockrackis is the best for up to 2 boards stack. I have both long arm and short arm with 50cm base. I use short arm for 1x sup or long arm for one dugout sup or 2 flat sups and up to 14ft long.

burchas
335 posts
30 Jan 2020 12:04AM
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Select to expand quote
DaveSandan said..
I use the Kanulock straps as well as some cheap ones I throw in my pack when DWing and they are good however over a long road trip of more than an hour they always loosen off and the board starts to move around. When you drive from Melb to Noosa it's a pain constantly stopping to tighten them up especially on a windy day, any fixes for this issue?


I found it to be the case as well but only happened to me when not locked. So I'm locking it while moving and never an issue since.
The other annoyance with Kanulock is water transfer. Since strap end don't tie up properly I put it inside the car and when it's rainy,
water is coming into the car through the strap so better find another method to keep ends off the cabin

Other than that and the flimsy keys, Kanulock are pretty good for what they are.

DHUPEDNORTH1
111 posts
30 Jan 2020 10:02AM
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I've used Kanulock's for prob 10 years or so now. Have yellows and greens. Greens have scratched up my paint a little bit when I throw them over the top (no, metal is not exposed, glue or whatever holds the end together is a bit hard). No issue with the yellows as longer so end doesn't usually hit car.

Only real issue is with the keys. For a company that prides itself on making such strong and quality locks, the metal of the keys is about as rigid as a licorice strap. Have to be so careful they don't break off in the lock. Constantly bending them back into shape. Wish the company would spend the extra dollar or so and get the keys made out of a harder metal.

Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
30 Jan 2020 7:33PM
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Kanulocks are great but they can cause damage . I am careful and it still happened . Dropped about 4cm and it's like it went to the metal not just the primer coat








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"Kanulock or Thule lockable straps? Recommendations." started by DaveL1963