Carrying Kayaks????

[Pete Hanson]

Do any of you have a creative way to carry kayaks with you while towing the 5er??? I have ruled out a roof top rack for the short bed TV because of clearance with the nosecap on turns, or putting the kayaks either inside or on top of the 5er. I saw a rack at the RV show that goes into a rear receiver hitch and holds the kayaks vertically behind the 5er but that would cost me big $$$$$$ to set up (hitch, rack and installation). Before spending those $$$$$ I thought I would check with my fellow MOCers who seem to have all the tricks handy in case I'm not thinking of something. We may have to get used to the fact that it can't be done at a reasonable cost.

[cdaniels]

Do you already have the Kayaks? I saw a fold up Kayak the other day. You can put a cage under the front of the 5th wheel and slide it in it. I have a fold up boat and that's what I do but you would have to invest in the fold up kayak. Everything cost more money than you expect. I guess if you want to play you have to pay. I start out thinking it will cost a certain amount and it usually ends up double what I expected. Good Luck.

[Bill-N-Donna]

I'm not into kayaks but I worked with a guy who built a frame for one. He has posted information on the RV.Net forum along with some good pictures. His user name is Mike_5667 I’m sure he would talk with you and give you more detailed information on mounting it. Tell him Bill sent you!

Here is a thread on that information.
URL edited to correct scrolling!

[Pete Hanson]

Thanks Bill.....very interesting thread on RV.net.

[EJH]

Install a front hitch on truck.
Plug a Yakima T bar unit into the front hitch.
Install a Yakima gutterless roof bracket on on the roof of truck.
Two kayaks on the truck forward half.

Works real well, after unhooking the fifth wheel you can then take the front T bar unit off the front and put it on the back hitch.

Works for me.

ejh

[jsmitfl]

Im with EJH. Thats what I would do and very safe and simple

[Carl n Susan]

DDRAM carries his kayak on a short bed truck with a rack extending out over the front of the truck. I am pretty sure Bill built the rack himself.

I personally like EJH's idea for a clean and simple solution.

[dandt]

They inflatable ones are not too bad either. Depends how serious the rivers and rapids you plan playing in are.

[nghelwer]

We have a chevy 2500hd extended cab 6'box and put a front receiver on the truck. We also use a t rack in front hitch receiver and a guterless rack on top of truck.We have taken our canoe many places without any problems.

[Waynem]

Wow! On our trip into Maine and back I saw a 'yak on top of a 5er. You could tell it was higher than the front roof air. I would have been real concerned on any overpass, but he was trucking along like nothing was up there.

Edited: Have you considered under the belly of the 5er?

[Pete Hanson]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Right now we are leaning toward a rack system made by RVRaxx even though the cost is pretty high. It seems like the most convenient way at this time. The other oprion of the front hitch with a "goalpost" rack in it seems like a good option too.

[bross]

I have the 3400 and can carry two inside the 5er. I put one on top of the table and sofa and the other on the floor in front of the sofa. Then I just close the sides and away we go. Works good for me.

[gojodo]

I did't see where you mentioned how long you Kayaks were but we have two sea kayakss 17.5 feet and 15 feet. We carry them on top of the truck pretty much as describe above with a T bar mounted to a front mounted hitch receiver. However, we tow with a Dodge 3500 long bed. This give us plenty of room for turns. If your kayaks were shorter and could be mounted so the rear end of the kayak didn't go back beyond the cab it would work. Otherwise you may consider renting them. John

[bross]

Yea, length is the limiting factor for inside storage. I have a 12 footer and a ten footer but I think two 12 footers would work.