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We Need A Rack To Carry Our Kayaks On Our RV

by Linda
(Shelburne Ma)

We just bought a new car and are unable to put our kayaks on the roof. We are wondering if anybody knows about kayak carriers that can be used on a class A.

ANSWER Greetings Linda thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

I have to admit that you almost stumped me on this one. I will tell you up front that there are not a lot of products on the market that allow you carry Kayaks on top of an RV. But I did find one product that might work. It is available at Rv Raxx.com.

According to the literature on their website the rack can hold up to two ten foot Kayaks. The rack actually goes on the back of the RV and not on the roof. It is suppose to work on Gas powered RVs and Diesel Pushers. Also according to the the literature, you are still able to tow a vehicle or trailer behind the RV with the rack in place.

I have never personally tried this product, so I cannot vouch for it, but it looks good on their website. I have done a lot of outdoor sports in my life, but kayaking has not been one of them.

I am sure that there are some RVers out there that have come up with some unique solutions to carrying Kayaks or small boats on their RVs. If any of our visitors have suggestions or tips on your Kayak Carring Dilemma, they can add them by clicking on the add a comment link near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing and Kayaking. :-)

RVing Al

Comments for We Need A Rack To Carry Our Kayaks On Our RV

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kayak rack
by: Bev M

I too am looking for a kayak rack that attaches to the ladder of my 5th wheel. One that holds 2
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV rack for truck & 5th wheel
by: Bob T

Note from RVing Al: Below is the information and pictures of Bob T's home made Kayak Rack that he uses when towing his 5th Wheel Trailer.

The pictures below show the kayaks' bow supported by a "T" post off a 2" receiver front of truck; stern as it sits on headache rack; truck and rack as a unit. The wooden runners were added after the fact which makes it easy to place the bow on the headache rack, then the kayak slides down to the front without hitting the trucks' cab.

Bob T
Rating
starstarstarstar 		ladder rack
by: greg

I had the same problem when I purchased a fifth wheel I had no way to carry 2 kayacks the camper had no rear bumper for a hitch mount. So I build a rack that mounded to the ladder vertical and carries my 2 10 ft. kayacks.When I go camping I get people with the same problem coming over to see where I got it.I tell them I made it and want me to make them one. I'am looking into having it manufactured.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		We need a rack for kayaks
by: Eagle Eye

The vertiyak looks like a great idea for short recreational kayaks, but then if they are short why not just put them on top of your vehicle. I need a rack for two or three 17' sea kayaks. On the car isn't an option with the trailer pulling behind.
Wonder why they didn't turn the kayaks around on the Vertiyak ad? Seems like putting them with cockpit facing away from vehicle would cause less drag, be safer and get you better gas mileage.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The VertiYak is awesome!
by: Patrick

Go to www.vertiyak.com. That might be the solution you are looking for.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV rack for 5th wheel
by: Bob Thompson

Commercially available or build your own. Two inch receiver in the front of the truck along with a "T" post, headache rack behind the cab. Kayak is supported both fore and aft, AND doesn't interfere with the camper when in place.

jmsrbrt@gmail.com for a picture.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No Hitch
by: Alan

I see all the comments talking about this rack or that rack but all of them says "goes into 2" receiver". My Montana does NOT have a receiver on the rear of it. Any more ideas? I have been a certified welder for 26 years and can make anything. I just need any ideas on a rack that does not require a receiver to work. TIA
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kayak Racks
by: AZ Roof RAts

I would be interested in the DIY Kayak drawing. I don't want to pay thousands of dollars to hold my 1 kayak.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		DIY kayak rack
by: Anonymous

You do understand (Larry) that this is a forum for DIYers, right. By what I have read, seems like the poster has an alternative to the high priced ones being offered, and is willing to offer those plans.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV Kayak Racks
by: Larry

There is an RV Kayak Rack company that manufactures vertical RV Kayak Racks that go in hitch receivers. The Company can be found easily online. Their racks are protected by two United
States and Foreign patents.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		DIY kayak rack
by: Anonymous

The DIY plans also allow a bicycle rack to be used. Not sure what Larry means by liability. Is he saying that anything homemade, becomes a problem because of liability, then if thats the case, what is the DIY to do, stop making stuff he can use. Gosh, has society gone that far, I certainly hope not.

Any constructive comments would be appreciated.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kayaks on top of RV
by: Eagle Eye

rebeljcn, do you have photos of your set up using the cleats?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Free time, welding costs and liability
by: Larry

The commercially manufactured RV Kayak Racks available online are built extremely well. The rack frames are sand blasted and has an industrial powder coating to last a lifetime. The "one piece" designed rack has stainless steel hardware and adjustable nose guards to fit your kayaks. A locking block is also included to prevent any movement at the hitch connection. The rack comes with all accessories included to securely lock your kayaks in place. You can also add the bike rack in the future to carry bikes if you wish.

I would be afraid of home made racks. If you have one bad weld you may have a highway accident. To each his own.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		DIY Plans for rear hitch RV kayak rack for two
by: Anonymous

I have designed, built and tested for two years, a two position kayak rack that can carry two 10' kayaks upright attached to rear 2" hitch. I have made several improvements in that period and believe it is an alternative to the expensive options currently on the market.

I am thinking of offering for sale a complete set of spec drawings, but am not sure there is a sufficient DIY demand. The rack will require welding. What do RVer's think.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV Kayak Racks
by: Anonymous

When out on the road I have seen the vertical RV Kayak Racks on RV's. The owners love them and even offer to show how easy they load and unload. The rack and kayaks are no where near the weight of a car and it slides right in the same 2" class three receiver. It is a very safe way to carry bikes and kayaks.
I have heard of many horror stories of trailering and roof mounted racks blowing off.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Nice Post
by: Lou

I am checking many blogs from since morning in search of unique information i have got some of my related info on your blog its really good.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Anyone used these?
by: Anonymous

has anyone used the vertical kayak racks that are hitch-mounted? We see two web sites where they can be purchased but are unsure of the safety and stability of these. Thanks.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RE: need to carry kayaks on Rv
by: laliwheels

We had the same problem. Have a 5th wheel and wanted to take kayaks along. Putting them on top wasn't an option for us. We built one that can carry 4. Goes on the back of the rv right in the receiver hitch.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Camper and kayaks
by: Anonymous

I built a kayak rack to go on my 24 foot 5th wheel. Searching the net only found high price rigs for motor homes.I bought 30 foot of 1 1/2 aluminium channel ($65), Aluminium 1/2 Spring nuts and bolts. The rest I had on the back of my camper already. An old bike rack/spare tire mount I got from Camping World years ago. I used the old mounts and some treated boards to rest the Kayaks on. That left two Bumper clamps to hold the aluminium frame to the Bumper. The top is screwed down threw the aluminium track at the roof line with four heavy screws with washers. I bought some Sealant from the local camper parts store. Holds two Kayaks. A Old town Vapor 10' and a Perception Sound 9'6". Might have $200.00 in it.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same question
by: Anonymous

Donalin of Alaska: do you have any pictures? I am wanting to do what you did, as our RV does not have the most storage available. Am also in AK and know the winds and turns basically make any other method unsafe.

Thanks
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		kayaks up on top of the rv...
by: rebeljcn

Hi...have had no racks, foam and rope gizmos, official kayak racks, *original to the rv* roof racks(modified with foam to protect the boats)...and have never had a blow off****rope tying skills abound!!****
I did use a motorcycle braided cable to secure my two 17 foot boats on the roof to the aluminum ladder...which really stymied the bolt cutters of the idiots climbing on the rv 230 a.m. in Crescent City last year!!!Security...believe me, it is a HUGE consideration...don't think the fellas thought anyone was IN the Rv(police next morning thought I should have dialled 911...didn't have the phone with me!)
I digress...I have four hooks strategically placed on the four *corners(sides,actually)of the rv(through bolted and reinforced inside). They're basically mariner's cleats and can take all the torque highway travel has confronted them with. Each boat is NOT allowed to *slither around* up there, by the manner in which the one cross the front rope is secured to each boat. ditto the rear rope. Each boat is also independently secured to the front and rear bumpers, with a visible knot in said front and rear ropes that I can *see* from the drivers seat(peace of mind, mainly). Hundreds of miles and you learn the tricks to load and unload them from on high(especially when it's windy!!!)..happy paddling!(and make sure you measure the height of the rv WITH the boats on top, keep it on the dashboard for those crazy confined parking lot heights!!)
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kayaks on top of Fiber Stream?
by: Eagle Eye

So, is there no way to carry a couple of 18' sea kayaks on top of a 16' Fiberglass "Fiber Stream" RV?
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Kayak rack for RVs
by: Donalin of Alaska

We (my wife and I) have been carrying kayaks for a very, very long time (20 years+) and I can tell you that nothing works very well on the roof of an RV or.... on the back of an RV. It can be difficult and unsafe/dangerous to work with and even with one of the newer kayak racks that are the stand-up racks on the back of your RV. After over 15 years of this fun we went to a small pull trailer(purchased from COSTCO at ~ $600.00) and have modified it with two oak flat bars and some carpet on the front and back of this trailer. The kayaks lay across therse bars and are firmly secured with kayak tie-down straps. It works GREAT and it is so easy to load and unload. Additionally, we can carry a huge amount of kayak and camping gear within the trailer rather than in our RV. After we take the kayaks off the trailer, we then place them on our two large wheeled kayaks dollys and transport them to the launch site. Again, making things far easier towork with. So, here's the big "key thing" to remember: Work Smarter ....Not Harder!" Good Luck to you.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		kayak rack
by: Anonymous

I also found one at rvraxx.com. It is considerably less $$ than the one mentioned above. I have no personal knowledge of this item but have been shopping around.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV Kayay rack
by: Anonymous

This Kayak rack is designed to hold up to 4 kayaks and can be easily loaded by tilting them into place.It is located at www.rvkayakrack.com It is heavy duty and made of mostly stainless steel. The lower section has tow bar built in and is included along with the kayak nose guard. This can hold up to 11'long kayaks.

The kayaks are able to be locked into place both with a horizontal bar and padlocks to be transported without worry. Our back up camera still works when carrying just two kayaks. There is an opening between the two to give a view.

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