Kayak

[Jmick35]

I plan to fabricate a rack to carry 2 bikes and 2 kayaks on the back of my 303.
The bikes will ride vertically on the back wheel between the two kayaks.
I have a pic but cant locate it right now but similar to this.

[SmallBoxMaker]

I plan to fabricate a rack to carry 2 bikes and 2 kayaks on the back of my 303.
The bikes will ride vertically on the back wheel between the two kayaks.
I have a pic but cant locate it right now but similar to this.

We've thought about doing that, but wonder how do you carry the kayaks from the campsite to the water? Do you have a second set of mounts on the truck that you only use when not towing?

Thanks,

[ACDW-Ottawa]

I plan to fabricate a rack to carry 2 bikes and 2 kayaks on the back of my 303.
The bikes will ride vertically on the back wheel between the two kayaks.
I have a pic but cant locate it right now but similar to this.

This is a very nice rack. Very simple and effective. I like it! Great Job!!!

I myself have since purchased a vertical kayak rack from RVKayakRacks.com to hold 2 x 12FT kayaks, 2 bikes, and 1 11FT SUP instead of making something since I had all these items I opted for their rack.

[KeithS]

I did buy one of the commercial kayak racks in 2016 as pictured. My thoughts after several trips using it: The rack is well built and does carry my kayak. Their video shows the loading of the kayak as placing one end on the base of the rack and lifting and walking the kayak to vertical, and then securing it. With my kayak's shape, the nose goes in first, and it will not stay in while trying to raise to vertical. The round shape will always slide out. My technique is to place a non-slip (relatively) mat on the ground, kayak nose on the mat, raise the back end to vertical (I have lost my grip twice , dropping it), carefully leaning it over into the rack, and lifting the yak up and into the rack's bottom saddle while keeping it from scraping the back of the RV, and then securing it.

Several of the places I have taken the kayak, behind the site pad, the ground slopes down a couple of feet, making the loading and unloading process quite difficult. The yak weighs about 80 lbs. and I am now pushing 70.






Additionally, the kayak had to be strapped in very, repeat, very securely, or it will move. It won't come out of the rack but the nose can slip down between the rack saddles. I also wonder about the torque stresses on the RV receiver hitch as the yak center of gravity is a couple of feet out from the hitch.

I sold a couple of pristine (one never in the water) 14 foot Hobies to buy the 10 foot Native so I could carry it on the back of the RV. If I could turn back time, I'd keep the Hobies and put them on top of the truck (although lifting them would still be an issue.

[ACDW-Ottawa]

Additionally, the kayak had to be strapped in very, repeat, very securely, or it will move. It won't come out of the rack but the nose can slip down between the rack saddles.

You need to put a strap at the bottom tray from the eye to hold the kayak against the bar to prevent it from slipping out of the "rack saddles" known as the "kayak tray". See the picture I marked a yellow line where you need to place the strap. RVKayak rack supplied bungees to secure the kayak nose to the tray. You can also use ratchet straps.

I also wonder about the torque stresses on the RV receiver hitch as the yak center of gravity is a couple of feet out from the hitch.

I also wonder about the torque stress on the RV receiver although after travelling 5,000 miles last year with my Kayak Rack, I am feeling better about it. I fear the worst when I go over bumps at bridges an dat construction areas at highway speeds. My rack is loaded with 2 bikes, 2 Kayaks, and 1 SUP. Total load is less than 300lbs including the rack.

You can PM me if you need help or contact Larry at RVKayak Racks He is really great to deal with.

[KeithS]

Hello, ACDW. The one and only time the nose slipped out was from a 16 mile dirt road where 2-3 miles of it needed to be driven at 5 mph and it still jarred the crap out (this road is used extensively and there are 3 jurisdictions involved, none of whom like to spend their money to grade the road as needed-but I digress). Since then, I use 4 ratchet straps to hold the yak to near immobile. Bungees are used to apply tension on the straps as a "double safety" to prevent it from loosening. As I alluded to before, I have no issues with the rack. It is a quality product, and I purposely did not identify it by name so as to not appear negative.

[ACDW-Ottawa]

Hi Keith!
The way you described it slipping out of the saddle and I didn't see a strap in the picture securing the kayak near the saddle, I thought that was the reason because, once the kayak is strapped in, it's never going to move regardless of road conditions.
Sorry, Only trying to help.

One other thing, you could try putting mini cell foam in the saddle to keep it from slipping when loading it or even a small pulley up on top to help with loading your kayak. 70Lbs would be hard for me too.

Your right, it is a quality product and it comes with all the bungees, straps, and accessories and phone support too. I actually described my rack in detail in another post.
Cheers!