Towing a 2 person kayak

[alymorales]

I have a 25 ft Airstream and a Ford 150. Unfortunately, I cannot tow my Airstream with the tail bed down, so this leaves me no option on how to carry my kayak. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can safely tow my camper and kayak?

Thanks!

[FCStreamer]

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-...-pro-_-1684728

[uncle_bob]

Hi

It depends a bit on just how big your kayak is. Our two person is about 25' long. It's heavy enough that getting it on top of an F-250 is a bit of a struggle.

Bob

[inthewoods]

Check out a variety of roof rack manufacturers. Thule and Yakima are a couple great ones. Not inexpensive but well built. Each of them make specialty racks for kayaks and some include loading assists to help you load heavy or awkward boats onto taller vehicles. Some are roller based where you load from an end of the vehicle and others are side loading where the rack actually tips to the side and hangs over the driver or passenger door to help reach taller vehicles. See this as an example:

https://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/sport...-pro-_-1685448

Yakima has a few different options for similar.

[KelloggKid]

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-...-pro-_-1684728

We have one of these racks in the back of our TV and carry two kayaks on it while towing our Bambi. Works really well for us.

[Rich W]

I use Malone mounts on the roof racks of my 4Runner. They attach 2 to a side, then I have front and rear tie downs (my straps match now, this was the first year and the Malone straps weren't quite long enough). The kayak is a 2 person Big Tuna by Jackson. Dry weight is 92 lbs. I'm 70, 5'7" and I can put it up and take it down by myself, however I do carry a little plastic 2-step folding ladder.

For a pickup, if you don't have a cap, I've seen them use a 4-point support that puts part of the kayak over the cab, the rest on a cross member support in the back, over the bed.

[VT Wanderer]

Ditto to the Thule and Yakima racks. Works best with a cap so that you can put kayak gear and other misc. gear inside the cap. Be sure to use front and rear tie-downs. A cockpit cover is a must to keep the rain out of the boat. You don't want the extra weight of water inside the boat while transporting. We carry 16 ft AND an 18.5 ft kayaks with no issues. Go to a good rack store for details on the clamps that you will need for your vehicle, and how to mount your boat. We had the truck cap company put "gutter racks" on the roof of the cap.

[D44]

TracRac and kayak cradles

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by VT Wanderer

A cockpit cover is a must to keep the rain out of the boat. You don't want the extra weight of water inside the boat while transporting.

Sit on top fishing kayaks have scuppers. No water collects in the boat, but watch that first stop, instant car wash.

[JBBeaubeaux]

Here is how we solved it for us: http://https://livinginbeauty.net/20...29/our-kayaks/

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by D44

TracRac and kayak cradlesAttachment 293807

We also just installed a TracRac, and carry 2 kayaks side by side, face down. We use a rack pad, which you don't need (I don't think), but it does make it easier to slide the kayaks on and off of the rack.

[Rzrbrn]

I use this: 14' tandem inflatable

http://www.saturnrafts.com/saturn-inflatable-kayaks

Works very well. I reverse the vacuum I carry for the trailer to inflate it, very fast.

I saw a fellow that mounted 2 kayaks on the rear bumper of his TT. They looked to be about 11' long. They were mounted side by side but were Perpendicular to the long axis of the trailer. That is, they were straight up. Very creative idea.

I thought about putting kayaks on a carrier on top of my truck, but alas, I am not as strong as I used to be.

However Thule has an assisted roof top carrier, Hullavator, which may work, but since the inflatable works so well I have not tried it:

[pegjust]

We deliberately didn't put a camper shell on our f150 but rather put a hard cover over the bed that could support our weight. This allows us to load 2 hobie kayaks in steps as these guys are heavy. We put nose on bed lid then while standing on the bed cover slide em up onto roof rack. We use Thule racks that are made for that weight

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-...-pro-_-1684728

FYI,
Hobby makes a roof rack where a bar slides out away from the vehicle. You lift one end on to it, slide the back one out and lift the back up and slide kayak over the roof. It comes with secure tie downs.
I am sure you can find it on their website. Its a one man operation.

[curnes]

We tow a 23ft Flying Cloud with a Toyota Tundra with a 6 1/2' bed and canopy. We have two 10.5' recreational kayaks. I put them in the bed of the truck with the canopy window open and close the tail gate. The kayaks hang out of the truck bed at such an angle (sticking up in the air) that they do not interfere with the trailer connect. Works great and is a lot easier than a roof rack.
I can send a picture if you have this as an option.
Cameron

[dadzpony]

I had the same problem with my pickup.
I came up with a Thule solution that uses the tracks built into my bed cover from Pace Edwards and the Thule 460 feet.
the Kayaks are 9' long.
I also carry 2 bikes.

Good luck.

[Milo1952]

Can you post a pic of your cover open ??
Just wondering how that works

[Moflash]

This is the Kayak rack that we use to haul our two Hobie Kayaks built by Spring Creek Outfitters in MN.
It is the best engineered rack period! Works with a tonneau cover. Has loading assist bars that extend out on each side when needed.Adjustable in height and width to fit most applications.Removable in less than 10 minutes.
We have hauled Kayaks over 20,000 miles with these and I am still amazed how well thought out and how well built these are.

https://www.springcreek.com/

[Moflash]

Here is another shot with the Airstream attached and the Can Am ATV in the box.I raise the back rack to divert the air over the trailer.

[msjoe]

Tundra--Folbot--19 ft Flying cloud + 2 big retrievers
Use Thule pull-down rack: Hullavator
Can easily add 2nd kayak with gear in back of truck