Transporting kayaks with a fifth wheel.

[tomdeoca]

I'm sure this discussion has been had before but I am looking for suggestions on how to load my kayaks when towing the 5er. I'd prefer to keep them on the truck. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Sierra360PDEK]

Thule roof rack and J cradles. We carry an 11'6" and a 8' kayak with no issues. Take the rack off in under 5 minutes.

[tomdeoca]

Do you have a long bed truck?

[Sierra360PDEK]

Forgot to post picture

[CampingGator]

Originally Posted by Sierra360PDEK

Thule roof rack and J cradles. We carry an 11'6" and a 8' kayak with no issues. Take the rack off in under 5 minutes.

We have the same set-up, which works well. My husband does have to stand on a stool to get them lashed, but he's not overly tall.

[johnruff]

I have a Jackson Big Tuna. It's a tandem, 13+ ft and about 90 lbs. Guess I need a trailer to pull behind the RV that. So far, I just leave the kayak at home but sure could use it. And only an extended cab, not a double, with a 6.5 ft bed.

[lswartz]

You need a bigger TV.

LL Bean sells a sectional kayak which our friends from New Brunswick load into their motorhome. They have had good luck with it too.

[HESN22]

Originally Posted by Sierra360PDEK

Forgot to post picture

How does that work with your 5th? You must have a long box.

[millman75]

We bought inflatable Hobie kayaks, allowing you to paddle or peddle. Peddling frees up your hands for photography, fishing, etc..

I keep the kayaks in their bags in the truck bed under the tonneau cover when not pulling the fifth wheel.

[kkelly]

Google USRacks. They make racks of all kinds including a rack that holds your kayaks or SUPs more forward on your truck so you can still maneuver your 5th without worrying about a "collision". I would send a pic, but it's not on truck right now. I love the rack.

[Sierra360PDEK]

Originally Posted by HESN22

How does that work with your 5th? You must have a long box.

I do have an 8' bed. With my 11'6" I have about 12" from the rear of the kayak to the nose of the fiver.

[fredcrowley]

Originally Posted by tomdeoca

I'm sure this discussion has been had before but I am looking for suggestions on how to load my kayaks when towing the 5er. I'd prefer to keep them on the truck. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We tow a 43' 5th wheel, towing with an F-350. I have a Hobie Tandem Island tri-maran (18' long, about 180#). After spending a fair amount of time looking at what was available for a roof rack, I used bits from Thule and Yakima. I already had a front receiver on my truck, so I ended up using a tilt-down T-bar rack that mounts on the front receiver, with 2 roof racks over the truck's cab. When loading and unloading, the front T-bar swings down to about 50 degrees, allowing the rig to roll off over the front bar. Of course being a guy, my ego was greater than my strength, so I mounted a winch on the hitch assembly in the bed of the truck, so I can just winch the rig on and off. Works reals slick.

[tomdeoca]

Wow, what a set up. How long are the shorter kayaks?

[kkelly]

Sierra360, I have a short bed truck. My kayak is 12'6" long. My SUP is 10' I chose USRack because you can actually talk to the designer, who will make any design changes you need to accommodate your boats. Turning and backing have never been a problem. I did not choose a rack that carried the boats hanging fully over the hood of my truck, because I did not like having my vision obstructed. I hope that helps.

[zj178]

I found a few good racks for stowing kayaks behind in a vertical position.
Here's the link: https://www.rvkayakracks.com/

[tomdeoca]

Has anyone mounted a vertical rack on the rear bumper? I only have a 1 1/4 inch receiver on the back of my camper and I don't think that would support much more than bikes. Dealer said it could possibly void my warranty if I mount something on the bumper. Any thoughts?

[JeffLynn]

But it works for us

[Katydid]

We too do carry two 12 foot kayaks, two bikes on a front dual goal post and have a Wildcat 29RKP and a long bed GMC truck.

[Katydid]

Sorry above... not sure for the three pics! Ugh

[Sandbagger]

Originally Posted by Sierra360PDEK

Forgot to post picture

Thanks for the picture, do you also have a picture with the kayak's loaded? Interested to know if you only strap to Thule roof bars or do you also tie to the tow hooks on front of truck and the ties down rings in bed of truck behind the cab. I also have a Sierra that we want to outfit for kayaks when towing 5th wheel.