Carrying a kayak

[Cumminalong]

So, the wife likes to kayak and toting it with the 5th wheel was a problem. After a bit of measuring I think I have the solution.

Her kayak is 10 ft, so it's too long to put sideways in the basement or on the bumper. But, mounting it vertically with the ladder looks like it'll do nicely. Now, just mounting it on the ladder with ropes and straps wasn't gonna gonna cut it, I'm not going anywhere looking like the Beverly Hill Billys. Besides, I don't want to spend half the day loading and unloading her kayak.



First, I needed a strudy base to carry the majority of the weight. Using a bolt on 2" receiver hitch fits the bill.



Then I took a section of 2" square tube and cut it to use as the main part of the base. I'll weld in a few separate pieces to form a basket here and cradle the base of the kayak.



Now I needed to address keeping the kayak vertical and stable during travel. What I did here was use 1 1/8" angle iron and 1" u-bolts to make a pair of cradles that are bolted to the ladder struts.







This is just test fitting the base and the first of the two supports.





Here's the second support in place. Tomorrow I'll put the locking bars and safety chains on, as well as cleaning up the edges and painting it so it looks like part of the trailer.







The only part exposed above the roof is the nose of the kayak. It's about 2" above the ladder, but still lower than the main AC unit.

I'll get it all buttoned up tomorrow and ready for our next trip.

[Take5er]

Looks great! I wondered how I could do the same thing. Now I know!

[Cumminalong]

Originally Posted by Take5er

Looks great! I wondered how I could do the same thing. Now I know!

The only thing you have to worry about is the length of the kayak. Anything longer than 10', at least in my situation, would be too tall.

To prevent any ground clearance issues, I was trying to make sure the lowest part of the bottom mount was no lower than the bottom of the spare tire. There's a bit of room to go lower, but nothing that would really allow a longer kayak.

[caissiel]

I saw 2 on the back of a class C set up like that with a steel plate at the bottom. I carry our 16ft tandum kayak on the roof of the truck with a front T bar support. I gain on fuel mileage, the other 2 kayak we carry sideways under the trailer behind the wheels. One is 8 ft and the other is 8 ft 6in.

[Cumminalong]

Originally Posted by caissiel

I gain on fuel mileage, the other 2 kayak we carry sideways under the trailer behind the wheels. One is 8 ft and the other is 8 ft 6in.

If hers was any longer I would have made brackets to slide it under the trailer lengthwise behind the axles. I was trying to avoid doing that just for clearance, but there is just enough distance behind the axles for a 12' kayak to fit with just a set of cradles welded in there.

[Cumminalong]

Got the base done today and the upper cradles just need another coat of paint and they'll be all set too.

Here's what I did with the base to support the kayaks weight. Like usual, it's a bit overkill for what it's supporting.

Started with the piece of 2" square tube, two sections of 2x2 angle iron, and two pieces of flat stock. First, tacked everything in place.....





Then TIG'd all the pieces together....







There are 4 drain holes, one at each corner. The carabiner is to hook onto the kayak's handle and keep it in the basket.....



And here it is all painted. Tomorrow I'll put the last coat on the cradles, put the adhesive foam at the contact points and cut the chains for the cradles.....





This makes momma happy and when momma's happy, I have peace and quiet.

[Cumminalong]

Used some pool noodles for padding on the ladder. The noodles are just the right size for the ladder tubing.

Used some spare rubber mat that we had laying around and cut it to fit inside the base to pad the back end of the kayak.

[Cumminalong]

All done. Ready for a road trip....





This carabiner will get swapped for a lock.

[dsbike]

Very nice job. I carry 2 kayaks that are15 1/2' I use a trailer.

[Twomed]

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[BigTonyB]

Really nice job! Looks like it's easy to load too.

[Cumminalong]

Originally Posted by BigTonyB

Really nice job! Looks like it's easy to load too.

Yeah, the nice thing about it is I don't have to undo the top chain, it'll slide up into that after the bottom two are undone. Same thing going back in, just slide it up and do the bottom chain and lock.

[Cumminalong]

Have fun ya mischievous lil laddies....



And another through the drain holes and around the bumper....



Probably shouldn't temp fate.....a lock only stops an honest man.

[Just For Fun]

excellent job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!