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Kayak transport

5K views 40 replies 22 participants last post by  ddndoug 
#1 ·
I know it's chilly in most places right now, but I am catching myself dreaming of sunny days. I'm curious what ideas y'all have about transporting 2 10 ft kayaks to the river or what not. I have a soft top. What do y'all do?
 
#6 ·
For my creek boat, I got an old jetski trailer off of craigs list. I cleaned it up and had to replace the lights, tires etc. So I probably have about $300 in it.

Works well for something as durable as a plastic creek boat, but the boat sits so close to the road that it gets pretty dirty and probably has the occasional piece of gravel bounce off of it, so I wouldn't want to use it for for my new race boat. Working on a rooftop solution for that one.
 
#7 ·
Bought a cheap Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer and built some racks on it. I can carry up to 5 kayaks, or a canoe and 2 kayaks.
 
#8 ·
I went the Kargomaster Congo Cage route. put crossbars and then Yakima Hully Rollers and Mako Saddles.

The congo cage tilts back to allow you open up the softtop.

Carries my 14' Hobie Odysseys great. the rollers make it easier to put the yaks on top
 

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#11 ·
Thanks for the replies so far! I wish I had room for a trailer because I'd have all kind of water toys. My HOA doesn't allow them in the front, I have no way to get it in the backyard. And would like to save garage space for other stuff. Sucks... Those hOA commies. Does anyone actually have any experience with the roll bar clamp on racks?
 
#13 ·
Not to beat the trailer idea to death, but the guy I bought the jet-ski trailer from had it in the backyard with just a walkthru gate. When its' empty, it's light enough to lift one side up and roll it through a skinny gate.

Also, Harbor freight sells one that the tongue folds up on that can store vertically up against the wall when you're not using it.

Not trying to persuade you either way, just wanted you to know your options.
 
#23 ·
I have a Kongo Cage, with Yakima cross bars and saddles for my soft top, that I use to transport my kayak on. Works well.
 
#28 ·
This is what I used until my jeep got too tall. I bought a Cherokee and set the TJ aside for these trips. I used to put 2 kayaks and a canoe up there. I would tow the Conoe full of camping gear.

That's a TopFive rack. They don't make them anymore but they are made of stainless steel and aluminum so they are still out there
 

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#29 ·
When I had a Rampage top that already leaked I would strap them to my bumpers right on top of the thing. After I got a Bestop Trektop NX last fall I realized I couldn't put them on top anymore because a summer of kayaking trips would ruin it. After a lot of research I landed on getting a Kargo Master Congo Cage. What I've read is that it is rock solid and won't rust. I'm looking at wind fairings for the front because I've heard racks are noisy. I ordered it this week and should have it on in a week or two. I'll let you know what I think.
 
#30 ·
I actually do get some rust water coming off my Congo Cage...I was really careful following the instrux when assembling it; (you have to put sealant on the places where the pipes mate and where the bolts go thru) but somehow water is still getting in there. I pulled the end caps off the crossbars and am thinking off drilling a few weep holes in the cage just to make sure no water is collecting inside. Just resealed the joints again, will see how that goes.

Yes it definitely added some wind noise. I wrapped about a hundred feet of paracord around the front cage bar and it helped a little. Still need to do the cross bar.

Other than that, I like the cage.
 

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#32 ·
I vote for a trailer

Just to chime in---I had a Conga Cage on my JK and I got rid of it because the wind noise made me hate my new Jeep! BIG WIND NOISE!

I have been wanting a trailer myself like I used to have, but in my current residence, no good room for a trailer.

I just ordered a hard top for my LJ and had them put a roof rack on it and I'll figure out what to do for the kayak, once I have the top (and kayaks).

With a soft top, I would recommend towing a trailer. For me, once I'm in a better living situation, I'm getting a trailer - for now, with a hard top, I'll put the kayaks up on the roof.

:beerdrinking:

Joe
 
#33 ·
If you go onto a site like Quadratec they have several types of roof racks that can be used to transport your kayaks, including some that can be used with a soft top, taken off easily, etc. This one looked reasonably priced and can be used for a bunch of stuff:

Lange Originals 110-200 - Lange Originals® The Rack for 87-06 Jeep® Wrangler YJ, TJ & Unlimited - Quadratec

You have to buy attachments to use with the kayaks (they have for small and large kayaks) and there's a bike rack as well. It all comes off easily and you can still use your top. I guess the whole set up would run around $600, which is much cheaper than what it costs to buy my trailer.

But with my Jeep lifted and my being only 5'2" a roof rack isn't an option for me. I almost always kayak alone. Plus I only have about 2" of clearance to get my Jeep in the garage without a rack so adding anything on top isn't an option.

What I do have is a second garage for just my kayak trailer and 2 kayaks. I love my kayak trailer. It's lightweight and easily moved. I can move it around with both my trailers on it. These lightweight aluminum trailers come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and can be modified to suit your needs and taken apart easily.

Trailex Home Page

I keep the kayaks on it so it's just a matter of hooking it up the Jeep and putting it back in the garage when I'm done. No fuss, no muss. I'm moving this summer though and will be selling it and the kayaks. I'll miss it but my new lifestyle won't allow me the luxury of having a lot of stuff so I need to trade it in for a utility trailer to haul my stuff around instead.

Here's a pic of it in "single kayak" mode. I have an easy bolt on kit that will transform it into a trailer that carries 2 kayaks. I just find the single kayak set up easier because I literally slide it my boat off and on and I only use 1 boat at at time.
 

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#36 ·
I have 2 kayaks and I just turn them upside down on the roll bar and bungee strap them down. Front of kayak to front bumper rear of kayak to rear bumper, and one over the center. 5 bungee cords in all. Now I am only going 10 miles all at maybe 35 mph. So for long distance I would probably make a trailer.

***With the soft top down obviously****
 
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