Kayak Rack Update

[eyechip]

Well, I have contacted this company as they are making what seems to be bomber solutions for Kayaks and rear mounting on RVs. https://www.rvkayakracks.com

It's not crazy expensive and seems totally workable. The obvious question I asked them is whether they can make a version that swings out for back door entry.

Based on the feedback here it is clearly something that has a market.I will keep you updated. If not, one of my whitewater buddies may make one from scratch that I swear I will market with him to sell as this is really needed.

Oh, and just two weeks until I pick up my baby at Colonial in New Jersey and a massive noob road trip for a month right from there to make a complete fool of myself here with stupid questions and desperate blunders.

[wachuko]

Fellow AI owner in Facebook posted these...

The rack is a Thule Hullavader. The kayak is a one man outrigger canoe 😃.

[eyechip]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Fellow AI owner in Facebook posted these...

Do you have his contact info? Everything I have seen on the roof makes it seem impossible for this on the new 2018 given the solar panels. I would love to talk to him

[wachuko]

Join Airstream Interstate group in FB and send him a message. His name is Darrin Horowitz

[eyechip]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Join Airstream Interstate group in FB and send him a message. His name is Darrin Horowitz

Awesome, thanks!

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Fellow AI owner in Facebook posted these...

WACHUKO, EYECHIP - Impressive kayak rack. I get dizzy just looking at how high your kayak would be As you stated, I hope it can work with the location of the 3 solar panels. Those arms seems to go in a ways.

[Boxster1971]

Just saw this one on Sprinter-Source forum. Looks like side mount on Sprinter with kayak mounted fairly high. That would solve most solar panel shading. VW bus in foreground blocks full view of Sprinter rack.

[Paprika]

It's a Thule Hullavator (note spelling). I used one for years on my Subaru Forester, carrying a 41-pound Eddyline Skylark kayak, and later on my Ford F-150 pickup. The Hullavator works well, letting you lift a kayak from the side of the vehicle to the roof with minimal effort, thanks to built-in 40-pound gas struts.

It does add a fair amount of wind noise, and you'll need roof racks to attach it to. It's not a cheap solution. But if hoisting a kayak to the roof of your vehicle is a daunting task, the Hullavator makes it relatively easy to do that singlehanded.

[eyechip]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Just saw this one on Sprinter-Source forum. Looks like side mount on Sprinter with kayak mounted fairly high. That would solve most solar panel shading. VW bus in foreground blocks full view of Sprinter rack.

Also an interesting option. While I hate the side mount solutions I see this is high enough to actually not impede on the windows. Thanks!

[eyechip]

Originally Posted by Paprika

It's a Thule Hullavator (note spelling). I used one for years on my Subaru Forester, carrying a 41-pound Eddyline Skylark kayak, and later on my Ford F-150 pickup. The Hullavator works well, letting you lift a kayak from the side of the vehicle to the roof with minimal effort, thanks to built-in 40-pound gas struts.

It does add a fair amount of wind noise, and you'll need roof racks to attach it to. It's not a cheap solution. But if hoisting a kayak to the roof of your vehicle is a daunting task, the Hullavator makes it relatively easy to do that singlehanded.

Yeah, I am familiar with the Hullavator but had originally ruled this out given what I thought would be impossible with the three solar panels. That was my main concern.

As it turns out I talked to the this guy (we had a great convo..thanks Wachuko!) and he actually has the model with the single panel. But he said he set this up in a way that he can add panels later with no problem. He is going to get pictures for me of the roof when he gets home from a current trip so I can see exactly how he integrated it. He mentioned that the total cost including installation was $1200.00. Which is less than what a custom option on the rear will cost I am sure. As well I like the roof mounting (I am used to the drag on my own regular SUV and it's not horrible given the size of a WW boat) as it deters the idea of someone stealing it. While on the rear it's easy to grab if they can cut the locks. And living in DC I can assure you that any lock can be cut given the 14 stolen bikes I have experienced over the years, lol.

[Boxster1971]

Just saw this thread on the Sprinter-Source forum. It has some alternatives for carrying surfboards and kayaks. Includes some near DIY ideas.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=51253

[eyechip]

As an update I have obtained this: https://www.rvkayakracks.com/products/2kr37w from the company I mentioned before. The owner Larry is an amazingly nice guy. I went for the simplest version of his system as a bridge until maybe next year when I can have a friend custom make something (with a swing out). This company offers a roll out version for back door access but it was BIG and cost a LOT...$3400. This one is pretty small (perfect for 1-2 kayaks and was $1300. While it's not swing away you can still open the back doors a bit to access things that are small OR if need be it easily slides off the hitch (it's only 70lbs and one piece) in a minute. I will post pictures when I have it up and loaded!