Kayak

[Blacksmith]

Keith ,I did buy the rack from www.rvkayakracks.com and really like it. I spoke with the owner and designer of the racks and he assured me that the rack would work fine on the 303RLS. See the picture on my avatar.
The 303 RLS hitch is rated for 300 lbs. The rack itself weighs 85 Lbs , each of my kayaks weigh around 50 Lbs and my bicycles weigh around 25 Lbs each, that is a total of around 235 Lbs. That is well within the 300 Lb rating.
The racks are custom made for each vehicle, you have to take various measurements and send them to him. He may have my measurements in his database that you could use. Should be under the name Paul or Julie Whitty
Installation is pretty easy, it would help to have two people but I installed mine by myself.
If you do buy a rack from him please tell him you saw his product on this posting by Paul Whitty.

Regards, Paul

[KeithS]

Thanks for the response. If I go this route I will mention you. I have two 12+ foot Hobies, which are too long for this to work. So, I could buy this rack ($1100) and a 10' Native ($2100-Propel drive with reverse), or just an inflatable Hobie ($2100-Mirage drive without a reverse feature). I can't see putting the 12 footers on top of the truck with a goal post and hanging beyond the front bumper. Decisions.........

[C130TN]

Thanks for the response. If I go this route I will mention you. I have two 12+ foot Hobies, which are too long for this to work. So, I could buy this rack ($1100) and a 10' Native ($2100-Propel drive with reverse), or just an inflatable Hobie ($2100-Mirage drive without a reverse feature). I can't see putting the 12 footers on top of the truck with a goal post and hanging beyond the front bumper. Decisions.........

Trade for a toy hauler! We haul three Jackson kayaks but I'm thinking I'm going to buy a Hobie PA 12. I rented one over Christmas got a week and of course now I want one. I like our Jackson's but loved the pedaling and stability of the Pro Angler. The 12 foot fit in our 385 easily but I did have to put it in diagonally.

[KeithS]

Trade for a toy hauler! We haul three Jackson kayaks but I'm thinking I'm going to buy a Hobie PA 12. I rented one over Christmas got a week and of course now I want one. I like our Jackson's but loved the pedaling and stability of the Pro Angler. The 12 foot fit in our 385 easily but I did have to put it in diagonally.

Well, if I was willing to buy another truck.....and a new RV The 3500 is just barely able to haul (GVWR) the 3 month old 303. Plus, 34' is about max for some of the places we regularly go.

[Cate&Rob]

Well, if I was willing to buy another truck.....and a new RV The 3500 is just barely able to haul (GVWR) the 3 month old 303.

KeithS . . . I know this is off topic, but how can a 3500 be barely able to haul a 303 ? (Loaded pin weight around 2k and trailer weight around 10k).

Rob

[KeithS]

KeithS . . . I know this is off topic, but how can a 3500 be barely able to haul a 303 ? (Loaded pin weight around 2k and trailer weight around 10k).

Rob

Here are my numbers from Jan 3 ( half tank of fuel, all 303 tanks read half full):
Steer Axle-4,920 lbs. (GAWR-Front 5,500 lbs)
Drive Axle-5,660 lbs. (GAWR-Rear 6,200 lbs.)
Total weight of/on truck-10,580 lbs. (My truck GVWR is 10,100 lbs.)
So, I am 480 lbs. over the truck's GVWR, and the 303 can be loaded with several hundred pounds more up to the 11,995 lb. GVWR.
My pin weight here is about 2,560 lbs., and total trailer weight is about 11,260 lbs.

I'm not too worried as I am well under on my axles.

[Cate&Rob]

Your pin weight is 900 lbs over dry weight (2560 - 1660).
Does this make sense with what you are carrying in the front of the trailer ?
There are lots of owners carrying the much heavier 337 with 250/2500 trucks.
And, I am comfortably carrying/towing my 303 with my (heavy payload option) F150.
Something doesn't add up here.
Not trying to be argumentative . . . just curious.

Rob

[KeithS]

Your pin weight is 900 lbs over dry weight (2560 - 1660).
Does this make sense with what you are carrying in the front of the trailer ?
There are lots of owners carrying the much heavier 337 with 250/2500 trucks.
And, I am comfortably carrying/towing my 303 with my (heavy payload option) F150.
Something doesn't add up here.
Not trying to be argumentative . . . just curious.

Rob

No problem. GD's weight information sheet for this unit shows a pin weight of 1,840 lbs.
(UVW is 9,414, Left side-4,018, Right side-3,556.
Now, the dealer added a second battery in the front. I had about 200 lbs. in the basement when I weighed.

They also advise to balance the load side to side. To do this one would need to remove the contents of the fridge and pantry into tubs under the dinette when traveling, and I probably need to add 300 lbs. to the rear receiver (slight sarcasm).

[chris]

We ended up with a 14' Hobie. I put a front hitch on the truck, a Yakima bar on the roof, and I string it across. Works great.

[Devinh2]

Well, if I was willing to buy another truck.....and a new RV The 3500 is just barely able to haul (GVWR) the 3 month old 303. Plus, 34' is about max for some of the places we regularly go.

Something certainly doesn't seem right about this. I bought my 3500 dually knowing it could pull any 5'er out there, and that I would never have to buy another truck no matter what 5th wheel I buy.