Kayak on Trailer Roof Question

Look into the front receiver option for your tow vehicle and get a set of goal post racks for the front to carry them. I do this with a single canoe but it is easily done with a pair of kayaks too. See the picture in my sig to get the idea.

Might just work. I ratchet strap my three to my THULE van top rack. They never move. I see two possible problems. 1. Strap flutter on sides could take off paint. Cushion with swim noodles from dollar store. 2. Tension will be one sided on your roof. They could shift to the middle and loosen. Mine catch no air. However, if one comes loose it could be lethal for whoever it hits. Do you have room inside or a pass through storage?

I've put a lot of thought into how to transport my 17' kayak. I gave the roof serious consideration.


The height will probably not be an issue due to the slope of most fifth wheels. Plus kayaks aren't a whole lot taller than air conditioners.

Getting it up onto the roof is the biggest challenge. At 8', they're too short to lean against the camper and use rollers to pull them up. But they're also too big to carry up the ladder with you.

And then, I just don't know how you would secure them up there without marring the finish on the side of the camper.

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For an 8' boat, I'd probably consider this instead:

http://www.usrack.com/fifth_wheel_rack_heavy_duty.php

When we had our pop up unit we would haul our 12' canoe on the roof. but your unit is much higher and poses the question, how are you going to get them up there and off. We purchases foam pads to protect our roof, but is was aluminum, and your trailer roof is probably rubber. I have never seen anything secured to trailer roofs, only on the ladder going to the roof. Thus Protecting your roof might be the most important challenge you have.

Well, to start, how tall is your 5th wheel? How much height will the kayaks add (if any)? Will they protrude over the top of your rear A/C, and if so, by how much? You really need to stay under 13'6" at the highest point.

Rusty