Everyone deserves a break. Whatever it is we’re doing, it can get a bit tiring. So, it would make sense that we want to lay back and go on fun adventures such as kayaking every once in a while. Taking a short vacation can help us reboot our brains and improve our thinking skills as soon as we get back.
While carrying kayaks can be quite a challenge when we want to bring them on our much-needed vacation, you don’t have to worry. This article will give you all the information on how to carry kayaks with a travel trailer. If that’s not enough, we’re also here to provide you with a bunch of suggestions on a kayak rack for RV and a kayak rack for an RV ladder. So be sure to stick around and learn about everything about kayaks and travel trailers.
5 Best Kayak Racks for RV:
Building a kayak rack for your RV is one of the ways to ensure that your kayak remains securely attached to your travel trailer. But of course, before building the kayak rack for your RV, you have to choose the best one that would greatly suit your RV.
If you still have no idea what to look for to get the perfect one for your travel trailer, we have compiled a list of the five best kayak racks for you to browse through.
#1 Do-It-Yourself RV Kayak Rack:
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to create a kayak rack for your RV, you can always rely on yourself and whatever items you have at home. Instead of spending more than you need to, you can save so much more money. While the whole process of figuring things out yourself without the help of pre-made items can give you a feeling of hopelessness, it is still very much possible to accomplish this.
The lengthy process can be discouraging, but by the end of it all, you can feel so much more accomplished and have more trust in your work since you know how it was made. You can refer to the photos above as samples of kayak racks done by other people and their bare hands.
#2 VertiYak Kayak Rack:
Another budget-friendly kayak rack that you should look at would be the VertiYak Kayak Rack. This is a good alternative if you still want to maintain your budget-friendly rule without making things yourself. It’s a hitch-mounted kayak rack that transports boats vertically. You can transport two full kayaks with a maximum height of 12 feet on this kayak rack.
This includes a reinforced steel structure that will keep your kayaks secure. You must buy ratchet straps individually since VertiYak suggests using two to ensure the boats are perfectly safe. A simple technique to prevent your kayaks from rubbing is to place a pool noodle or silicone cushioning at the bottom of the structure. Due to the design of the VertiYak kayak rack, there are a few things to remember. You must ensure sufficient clearance between both the floor and your boats. Because your kayak’s bottom lacks a protecting cradle, you must be cautious to prevent scratching the ground and ruining your kayak.
You also should measure the height of your kayaks on the rack to ensure that they are well below the maximum altitude of 13’6′′ and that both you and your boats will be able to cross the low bridge ahead.
#3 Yakups RV Kayak Rack:
The Yakups RV Kayak Rack is one of the best hitch mount kayak carriers for your RV or trailer. Your boats are transported vertically behind your RV, with the option to add a bike rack for an additional fee. Of course, since they offer plenty of perks, they could be pretty costly.
You may transport up to four kayaks up to 32 inches wide, even without a bike rack. You can carry two bikes and two kayaks on the bike rack. Instead of kayaks, you can use the rack with upright surfboards. The Yakups RV Kayak Rack is just the best since they’re created specifically for your RV and watercraft.
#4 HandiRack:
Another one of the most low-maintenance kayak racks would be the HandiRack. It works with a wide range of automobiles, including SUVs, crossovers, sedans, and 5-door vehicles, so it’s perfect for whatever vehicle you want to bring, travel trailer or not.
Because of the tool’s inflatable design, you may flatten it and store it in a tiny bag when not in use. The rack’s built-in cam belts are highly sturdy, reducing the chance of missing the connected equipment. The D-Rings ensure that the ropes that go with the rack are securely attached.
You may install the rack without using any additional tools, and the User Manual supplied in the package is simple to follow.
#5 Yakima Rooftop Mounted:
The YAKIMA kayak rack wins the distinction for the most low-maintenance boat rack. It enables you to carry your stuff on its side, freeing up space in your kayak for another. It amounts to 110 lbs weight capacity for both kayaks. If you choose to transport your gear in the J-cradle position and up to 80 lbs of weight, one kayak can be readily piled on the rack.
The cushioned connectors provide the necessary traction and stability for rural roads that are prone to being rough. All required accessories, including the straps, are included, so no extra expenses are needed.
How To Carry Kayaks With A Travel Trailer?
Before searching for ways to ensure that you can safely secure your kayak in your RV, it’s essential also to consider other steps that you can take to ensure that your kayak remains safe while traveling. Building a kayak rack can be one good solution for this.
With a kayak rack, the probability of your kayak being secure while on your trip is higher. If you need help in building one, don’t worry, for we’ll be leaving the steps on how to build a kayak rack for an RV below this.
Step 1: Follow the manufacturer’s directions to assemble the RV cargo rack.
Step 2: Attach the RV cargo shelf to the trailer hitch of your RV.
Step 3: To protect the end of your kayak, line the bottom of the luggage rack with cushioning such as styrofoam or anything soft.
Step 4: In the kayak rack, position the kayak vertically.
Step 5: Bungee cords, ratchet straps, or ropes can be used to attach the kayak to your RV’s ladder. This plan can hold up to two kayaks.
Five Ways to Carry Kayaks on an RV:
Traveling with your kayak can be a good idea until you have no idea how to bring it with you. It can be a little challenging to have to develop a way to carry it on your RV. You have to consider many things, such as ensuring it’s tied securely, ensuring that it doesn’t damage the kayak, and ensuring that it wouldn’t fall while traveling.
Coming up with ideas that have no guarantee of it working can be scary. This is why we have done all the hard work of searching how to carry a kayak on a motorhome and the like for you. We’ll be giving you the five best and most solid ways to carry a kayak on RV and keep it secure.
#1 You Can Place It Inside Your Travel Trailer:
It may be better to simply put the kayak indoors, depending on what boat you are using. Many river kayaks are small enough to be slid into your truck with little assistance. This assures that they will be safe from road hazards for the length of your trip. Kayaks could be safely linked to furnishings like a couch, a bed, or on the trailer’s floor.
#2 Roof Racks:
Roof mounts, such as the Thule versions, are also accessible for your RV or tow vehicle’s roof. Roof racks are fantastic because they are stable when the kayak is correctly stowed. It can also usually accommodate more than one kayak at once. As a result, you may bring a few for the whole group.
While this may sound great, it’s important to take now that mounting on the top of your RV has the drawback of obstructing visibility under overpasses. If you plan on hauling anything on the top of your RV, keep this in mind. Ensure you get a good rack and that it’s positioned correctly to have the most steadiness.
#3 Back Of Your RV:
The majority of RVers transport their kayaks by securing them to the RV’s back ladder. It is one of the simplest ways to carry kayaks in a motorhome. Straps or ropes can be used to secure the kayak to the ladder.
With this option, you won’t have to tie knots in the ropes, making it easier to remove the boat out of the ladder. However, to avoid the kayak from drifting off the road, make sure the ties are snug.
#4 Have Inflatable Kayaks:
When a kayak is deflated, this is one of the fastest ways to transport it in an RV. This is a wonderful alternative for RVs with little space and no room for a kayak. Moreover, in terms of weight, having an inflatable kayak can make your life easier. Inflatable kayaks allow you to make your travels easier than kayaks that aren’t inflatable.
These deflated kayaks are very lightweight, making them simple to carry in your RV. An inflatable kayak may easily be packed into a backpack and stored in your RV’s storage space.
#5 Ceiling Hoist:
You can use the travel trailer’s ceiling to transport your kayak. Ceiling-lifting kayaks can be carried in your car whenever there is enough room. After reaching the location of your tent, swiftly trample the kayak beneath your vehicle.
RVers that do not have a hauling vehicle or do not wish to install hooks around the outside of their camp will find this beneficial. However, note that this won’t be a good alternative if you don’t like mounting, as this necessitates such.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Should you wax your kayak?
In most cases, kayak wax isn’t required for polyethylene or rubber kayaks that you can inflate. It is better suited to composite kayaks. On plastic vessels, though, it’s a good idea to add a protective coating. The UV protection and coloring of the boat’s hull will benefit from the protective layer.
- How can you travel with two kayaks?
Put the slings on the roof rack for the kayak. You should place the first kayak here on the roof rack. Secure the first kayak towards the roof rack using a bungee cord. You should also place the second kayak in the roof rack. Place the second kayak on the ground. Tighten the first kayak’s straps. Wrap the kayak straps around the kayak and double-check to ensure it fits and is tight.
- Would it be better to travel with the kayak upside down or right side up?
Kayak stackers can securely move rotomolded kayaks on their edge or inverted. On the other hand, fiberglass kayaks must always be carried on their bottoms with cradles to avoid bending and other damages.
Conclusion:
Kayaking is one activity that plenty of us can enjoy, especially those who love adventures in different bodies of water. With that, you must know how to take care of and bring your beloved mini ship wherever you go. Learning how to do so can be one skill that could help you in various situations in the future.
They can be one form of stress reliever that can help you have fun and enjoy the water by yourself, with your friends, or with your family. Our pieces of advice and recommendation are the little bit of help that we could reach out to you through the screen. Saying all this, we hope that you have found this article beneficial and has aided you in your kayaking adventure.
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