Transporting kayak

[Jinva]

I have a Hobie Outback, which is probably about the heaviest kayak you would want to muscle up solo on a roof rack. I ended up buying the 4x8ft folding trailer from Harbor Freight to make my life easier, and it works really well. Often I will just loosen the straps and leave the kayak on the trailer in my garage so that I'm ready to roll. I would really recommend a trailer... especially for around the town trips.

If you are set on roof topping, Rhino Rack has some assist bars and a "T loader" that goes in the hitch which really helps load kayaks and canoes. There are also more expensive systems from Thule and Yakima for loading some of the more common non-fishing kayaks, and those can be modified to work with fishing kayaks like the Outback (plenty of FB groups with that information).

Hope my data point is a help.

 

[Rightside Up]

Test

 

[timothylynn7]

Much easier to load but a little tricky to get out. Dented my rear door unloading it.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Much easier to load but a little tricky to get out. Dented my rear door unloading it.

Oh man.....should have just bought the Yakima trailer. Now you'll have to pay to get the dent fixed. Plus, you don't have to muscle it through the back window and get water, sand and mud inside if the kayak is wet and dirty after your paddle. Took my kayak out yesterday. Trailer worked great!!!!

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[timothylynn7]

It actually slides right in easy. And I’m not worried about mud or water in the back. There’s usually more in my yota than outside. That sent will pull right out

 

[DirtyMarcus]

Trailers are definitely the way to go if you have back issues or a heavy kayak. I generally haul 2-3 kayaks and the occasional paddle board and the inside of the 4Runner is loaded with gear.

I can’t imagine throwing a topwater inside or on top of my 4Runner lol. Then again I fish in all weather so not feasible for me anyhow and having a dirty interior drives me crazy.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Trailers are definitely the way to go if you have back issues or a heavy kayak. I generally haul 2-3 kayaks and the occasional paddle board and the inside of the 4Runner is loaded with gear.

I can’t imagine throwing a topwater inside or on top of my 4Runner lol. Then again I fish in all weather so not feasible for me anyhow and having a dirty interior drives me crazy.

Same here. I haul two kayaks when the wife comes with me. And I don't want all that sand and mud inside the 4Runner either.


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[gptoy09]

Great set ups, I'm doing some research for mine for ideas. I used a roof rack on my Tacoma and am planning the same for my new 4Runner for now. It's a bit of a pain lifting them on the roof but they're just basic 10' Pelicans so it's not that hard. That Yakima trailer is really slick.

 

[timothylynn7]

Great set ups, I'm doing some research for mine for ideas. I used a roof rack on my Tacoma and am planning the same for my new 4Runner for now. It's a bit of a pain lifting them on the roof but they're just basic 10' Pelicans so it's not that hard. That Yakima trailer is really slick.

Yea those are easy. These angling kayaks are heavy and awkward

 

[DirtyMarcus]

My advice for anyone looking to trailer kayaks is look on fb marketplace and Craigslist. I found my trailer for $500. I did some of my own upgrades and preventative maintenance and have since driven it about 5000 miles and over 10 states and it’s been solid.

 

[Drugolf]

Yeah, sit on top kayaks are not light, especially that last hoist up on top of the truck. Too long to stick out back too, and messy.
We have 4 plus SUP's so I went ahead and got a 10' trailer and welded up a rack system for it that can be removed and changed as needed. plus get to use the trailer for other stuff.

 

[Rightside Up]

Yeah, sit on top kayaks are not light, especially that last hoist up on top of the truck. Too long to stick out back too, and messy.
We have 4 plus SUP's so I went ahead and got a 10' trailer and welded up a rack system for it that can be removed and changed as needed. plus get to use the trailer for other stuff.

Nice setup!

 

[McLoven1t562]

I'll admit I didn't read everyone's response. But I was dumb and got a kayak BEFORE kayak holders for my rack lol

First few trips I just rolled the back window down, dropped the back seats and slid the passenger seat forward....slid it in from the driver side so it was angled at the passenger front seat, then I went ahead and just rolled my back window up just enough to kind of trap the kayak in the window (smart idea? up to you lol)

But the kayak never moved and my back window still works great.. That was for my 10 ft Pelican Mustang 100a

If you want to be extra safe/legal, tie a bright ribbon to the back since it's hanging out the back like that

 

[Billyrides]

A trailer is actually so much easier, and if you do it right, you can have more than enough places for storage on the trailer.

 

[timothylynn7]

Update. Finally got the kayak out and loading it through the rear window is about as easy as it gets. Was able to carry all my gear inside the car including the peddle drive. Unless I’m transporting more than one there’s no need to spend thousands on a trailer

 

[iamatt]

I just strap a frenzy on top of my shark rack

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[AngleAway]

Update. Finally got the kayak out and loading it through the rear window is about as easy as it gets. Was able to carry all my gear inside the car including the peddle drive. Unless I’m transporting more than one there’s no need to spend thousands on a trailer

Loading anything big/cumbersome after back surgery is a risky ordeal.
Glad you were able to squeeze it in!

 

[702_SR5]

Transporting kayak inside 4Runner

I recently got a 10' Pelican Brume sit-inside kayak. So far I've been transporting it by simply rolling down the back window and stuffing it inside. :thumb:

The nose is nestled against the back of the passenger seat and the center console. I put an old hand towel there, and another under the boat where it contacts the bottom of the hatch window opening.

My 4Runner was already set up for sleeping inside. So the bottom part of the passenger-side rear seat is removed, and that seat back is always folded down. I have a platform made of two boards there. For kayak transport I just take out the sleeping bag and foam pad.

So far I've only strapped it down toward the front, utilizing the OEM D-ring for one end and the outboard seat belt bolt for the other end. (The seat belt is unbolted and rolled up out of the way since there's no seat there anyway.)

Next time I go, I'll be using a 5 mm cord toward the rear. Each end of the cord will attach to the rear D-rings. I'll be utilizing a Nite-Ize CamJam on one end so I can easily reach in the open rear window and pull up on the cord to tighten it.

This approach works fine for getting to the local water hole (Lake Mead), including some freeway driving. But since the rear window is open, I wouldn't be comfortable making longer trips. Both due to possible weather issues, and security issues.

BTW, I stopped using the flag on the back of the kayak, since in Nevada it's not required unless there's 4' or more of overhang.

I did a lot of flatwater kayaking in the past but got out of it years ago. Due to injuries, etc. in the interim, I'm not sure if I can handle the repetitive stress of paddling. If things work out, I'll upgrade to a bigger and better boat. I'll probably get a trailer because I don't want to struggle with putting a 50+ pound boat on the roof, but I'll want to travel to other water holes. I like the Yakima Rack-and-Roll, since then I can also put my Yakima cargo box on it. Plus it folds for storage.

P.S. Speaking of injuries, Timothy, that x-ray looks brutal! :shocked:

(Click for bigger pics)

P8222378 by Candace66, on Flickr

20230214_103511 by Candace66, on Flickr

20230220_134031 by Candace66, on Flickr

 

[beedee]

I don't want to deal with putting a kayak on the roof of my 5th gen. Good to see you guys utilizing the back window approach. I haven't purchased a kayak yet but want to step up my salt water bay & harbor fishing game (from a float tube) to a 'yak sooner than later!

Only bummer is, I have two car seats to remove each time, but I guess that won't take too long to do.