I just downsized my 16-foot kayak to an 11-footer so that I could carry it in the cargo area. I cringed at the idea of having to load a 16-footer on a roof rack on top of my medium roof van. Your 12-footers should fit in the cargo area, but I'm guessing that's not an option for you as you may have a wagon or converted cargo van (?). I like your idea of a specialized trailer; much easier to load and unload than a roof rack. Keep in mind that the harder it is to transport your kayaks, the less you'll use them.

 

You've probably already thought of this, but I saw a pic of a van with solar module in the middle and kayaks held on their sides on either side of it. I think with the Yakima JayHook mounts. This looks like a good deal for a pair of clones https://www.thelashop.com/2x-j-bar-...BRAjEiwAF98GMf2w8H_OY0nNqfDOBBbPwZ9WeHNk-_QtkHSt1jXzZwCcQXSVmevodBoC1q8QAvD_BwE

 

Yeah, that was one way that I though would work...I am just having a hard time imagining getting the boats on both mounts without two ladders (at least with out slamming it all over the roof).

 

I haul my kayaks on the roof, and have a Maxxair fan and 2 100W Renogy solar panels on front. I use a Thule rack system and have a set up of 3 bars for the kayaks, and 2 bars for the solar panels.

I'm not a fan of hauling kayaks on the roof. It's such a pain to get them up there and tied on. I try hard not to walk on the roof but it's nigh impossible to not make some errant steps.

I strongly recommend a trailer. Save your self and your roof. Use the extra space up there for more solar.

 

Thanks for the suggestion! Your setup sounds similar to what I had in mind. Yeah, I think you all are convincing me to go the trailer route...especially since we will not always have them in tow.

 

There's no easy answer...a buddy is thinking of a low roof for the reason of loading boats, much as I try to convince him he will be kicking himself for not getting at least a mid roof.

Ideally I'd have a ladder and a walk-on roof. At one point I nearly killed my friend trying to load a 17' canoe on my bare-bones roof/solar rack...

The other option if you're lucky enough to have a high-roof is to suspend the boat from the ceiling...

 

Have you ever seen a Thule Hullavator? Expensive - but incredibly easy to operate (I have friends who use one for their tandem kayak)

That being said - I've been pulling kayaks around with a 12' utility trailer for a decade or so. I've had as many as 9 on board; or a crazy assortment of boats/bikes/gear. My Touring Snowmobile also fits on the trailer. I had a "second story" fabbed at our local steel shop - it lets me haul my 16 sea kayak just fine. I've never had a problem finding a place to park a large SUV and trailer at even our most rustic boat launches - and it's a LOT easier on your back to not be lifting kayaks over your head.

 

The Hullavator is an intriguing option..seems like the easiest option to store on top since all of the strapping can be done without having to get on the roof. Although, it looks like it may be difficult to pull both handles at the same time to get the boats down (would need a ladder to get started at least). All other roof options would seem to require getting up there to strap the boats down, which would mean I would need a roof system that we can walk on. I like the Aluminess roof platforms...but jeeeshh that cost.

Also, I like your trailer setup! I was thinking an 8 ft trailer would work, but you have me rethinking that.

 

I wouldn't want to put boats up there. Would probably go trailer if I needed to haul more than the one 14 footer I haul under my passenger seat and bed.

You may not be aware of this, it's so expensive and rarely seen... there is a tilting, winch loading roof rack system that some Class C and Class A motor homes use for kayak transport. About 3 grand, as I recall.

 

We got an Aluminess rack with a ladder on the side with the intention of adding solar panels in the future. Had the optional cross bars installed to carry a canoe. With a canoe it's a two person job but fairly easy. Of course I'm 6'-5" and it's a nice light kevlar canoe so handing the canoe up to somebody on the roof is fairly easy. May get more difficult once solar panels are installed to move around on the roof.

For a kayak I could envision a solution with a kayak rack off to the side using the rack ladder, but that would only allow for one kayak.

 

We got an Aluminess rack with a ladder on the side with the intention of adding solar panels in the future. Had the optional cross bars installed to carry a canoe. With a canoe it's a two person job but fairly easy. Of course I'm 6'-5" and it's a nice light kevlar canoe so handing the canoe up to somebody on the roof is fairly easy. May get more difficult once solar panels are installed to move around on the roof.

Hmmm..yeah, that optional cross bar sits up nice and high above where solar would be mounted. Seems like a nice option. So how do you like the Aluminess rack? Seems like that and a ladder would be doable....although both my wife and I are around 5'6. I like the idea of the platform which could allow for some additional storage as well.

 

And another thought (although maybe it doesn't make as much difference on something as big as a full-sized van) - I was astounded at the hit in mpg with a kayak on the roof of my V-6 Ford Escape. Just having crossbars in place (no boat) reduced the mpg by 1 or 2..... the trailer, which is wider than an Escape, didn't seem to make much difference.

 

Yeah, the decrease mpg's is definitely something to consider.

GorillaYeti - how much of a decrease have you noticed with just the Aluminess platform?

 

Found this video:

Seems pretty slick, but looks like it may have similar issue with Hullaport in getting them down (having to reach up and pull handles).

 

Found this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeQ9XtsPPP4

Seems pretty slick, but looks like it may have similar issue with Hullaport in getting them down (having to reach up and pull handles).

I wonder if that's just a modified ladder rack? Looks like it?

 

I think it depends.

Having a roof rack for kayaks, rafts, bikes and general stuff was important to us. I left one bay open for a 150 watt solar panel. That's not enough. If you get enough solar panels to make a difference, you're going to be loading and unloading boats over your panels and you're going to need to thread straps or ropes for tie down. That's a problem waiting to happen.

Get a trailer. (I also have a trailer.)

 

We think the Aluminess set up is great. The crossbars are easily removable and you can specify the height that you want. I believe ours are a 5" lift. In reality it is hard to measure the curvature of canoe gunnels on your own, so I think in hindsight it could've been reduced a couple inches and still not have issues with future solar panels, etc. You'd have to figure based on your kayaks and how they are to be mounted.

With just the rack I haven't noted that much of a mileage drop. Though to be honest I didn't systematically track it prior to the rack or with the rack installed. Just anecdotally and resetting the trip computer for each road trip, maybe 1 mpg (???) drop with the rack on. With the canoe if I recall perhaps a 3 mpg drop. But don't take my numbers as gospel by any means.

As an aside I've only carried the canoe once on my Subaru Outback Sport (Impreza) and the gas mileage seemed to improve, so perhaps there is an aerodynamic benefit to having an upside down boat on certain vehicles.

 

My 12+' rotomold kayak (Necky santa cruz) weighs about 50lbs, and I'm able to carry it up a ladder. Practice makes perfect.

 

Vertical kayak on hitch
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/dodge-sprinter-conversion/

 

My kayak is short enough that I can strap it to the ceiling inside on the longer wheelbase vans.

 

Finally found a solution to getting our kayaks on the roof. Mounted Yakima towers and 70 inch bars to 80/20 side rails, telescoping ladder, and use a rhino rack side load bar. Surprisingly easy to get on and off..at least with two of us. Also can still open roof vent!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

Finally found a solution to getting our kayaks on the roof. Mounted Yakima towers and 70 inch bars to 80/20 side rails, telescoping ladder, and use a rhino rack side load bar. Surprisingly easy to get on and off..at least with two of us. Also can still open roof vent!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

This is great. Thanks for posting. Two related questions:

1) What length telescoping ladder did you get?

2) I'd like to carry our two sea kayaks as well, with solar, but I have the high roof. How much more trouble do you think that would be? The much higher roof and 17-foot boats?

Much thanks.

 

Check out this vid. Guy on his own putting up a 15+ foot sea kayak on the roof. Good system.

 

Check out this vid. Guy on his own putting up a 15+ foot sea kayak on the roof. Good system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUcd8lCZNVo

That's the same yakima extension bar and cradles that I tried with mine while trying to finger this out...2 ladders and a lot of back and forth...works but...

I now use a small boat trailer...14' galv eazy-loader with bunks...much cheaper than a specialty Kayak trailer...paid $200 on CL...The boats stay on the trailer (covered and pre-loaded w/ gear) and are always ready to go...16' & 18' just fit w/ minimal overhang front/rear...changing things up to use the 16' canoe takes minutes...

 

My Solution

We often haul two kayaks and needed a solution for the roof of our 148" medium roof Transit. I fabricated a roof rack out of Unistrut and attached J-Bar kayak racks to it. Works great even with the Dometic AC on the roof and still have room for a future fan and solar panel. The rack is not completely finished; we had some kayaking to do! Right now we're using a step ladder to get them up there, but will eventually add a ladder to the back door.