If you don’t bring your favourite outdoor sport along, then RVing isn’t worth it, and kayaking shouldn’t be any different. For example, RV roofs and ladders are not designed to transport kayaks. Hence, you need among the best kayak rack for RV to ensure your paddleboards and canoes get to their destination safely.
This is a problem because there are all sorts of campervans, and it can be hard to find just the right kayak carrier, not to mention solving problems like whether or not the carriers are stored safely.
In the end, it all depends on whether the kayak rack for RV should be compatible with your crossbars or ladder, and how soft the bed should be. What kind and how many kayaks do you need to haul? This is another aspect that must be considered when selecting a camper-topped carrier.
Of course, this requires the advice of someone who has been able to manoeuvre these seacrafts around. So this is a guide by camper owners to fellow camper owners who also enjoy kayaking.
So many people enjoy kayaking, but kayaks are simply so huge. We want to know how you mount your kayaks on the RV so they don’t increase height, and so that they are safely fastened.
Of course, the response is a kayak rack for RV
There are several ways you can mount a kayak rack for RV, but for long-distance travel, this is how we roll.
Continue reading to find out how best to mount a kayak on an RV, and see seven good examples of ready-made RV racks right here. Let’s get into it!
Do You Transport Kayaks Face Up or Down?
Hence, when placing a kayak rack for RV or vehicle, it is best to put it upside down. This gives the kayak a good chance of protecting its already vulnerable hull.
The kayak is placed face down because this gives the user better support and avoids damaging or warping the hull during transportation.
Moreover, this reduces wind resistance and makes the kayak more stable on the roof rack or trailer. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to talk things over with the kayak maker about how their product should be transported.
What’s the Best Method to Mount a Kayak Rack for RV?
Mounting strategy The best mounting strategy is going to vary according to what kind of RV you have. Because Class A motor homes and fifth-wheel RVs are some of the tallest vehicles around, it is usually best to just mount your kayak vertically. The typical kayak mount hangs it vertically and is often put up by pressing the device onto your hitch or RV ladder.
You can find some kayak racks for RV on top of RVs, but most people prefer not to make their motorhomes any taller. This may reduce your poor gas mileage even further. Since you get only about 10 MPG, every mile counts in terms of gas.
Smaller RV trailers and motorhomes, on the other hand, are more suitable for roof mounts. Or you can put your kayaks on top of the truck or other vehicle you are towing a camper with. Finally, if you own a motorhome, perhaps you could purchase a kayak trailer and tow it behind your home on wheels.
10 Best Kayak Rack for RV for Your Camper
Finding the best kayak rack for RV for your camper can pose a challenge. We did a lot of research and came up with these Ten kayak rack for RV options.
1. RecPro Vertiyak Hitch Mount Kayak Rack for RV
The RecPro Vertiyak RV Kayak Rack attaches to the hitch of your motorhome or trailer.
The maximum height limit on this kayak rack is 12 feet. Made of alloy steel, it fits to a 2-inch receiver and weighs 46 pounds.
Two kayaks and up to 150 pounds can get hoisted on it, which has holes for three different mounting heights. Padded with pool noodles, equipped with an anti-rattle mechanism, and complete with ratchet straps to hold the rack in place.
2. BougeRV Roof-Mounted Kayak Rack For RV
For those who want greater flexibility with the shape of the cradle for roof space management, you should consider purchasing BougeRV’s Kayak carrier for camper.
These racks are specially designed so that the J-Bar can slide and tilt on either side, enabling you to decide which side should take up more space.
Even better, you can mount two kayaks or stand-up paddleboards on the rack, and thus bring along much more RV camping equipment for the whole family.
Since the racks are preassembled, they don’t have to spend time assembling them. In addition, the cradles are equipped with clip straps on their sides.
These facilitate fastening your kayak more securely without having to worry about ropes slipping and pressing against the sides of your boat. In addition, the paddle-holding lugs on these kayak carriers are rubber-padded to prevent bounce and protect against damage.
3. Yakima – SweetRoll Rooftop Mounted Boat Loader
Yakima is one of the most widespread brands for RV camping gear, and this is one of their most advanced kayak carrier for camper options.
The Yakima Sweetroll Kayak Rack for RV is for camper roofs and kinds packing easy as your boat simply slides into position because of the rollers on the pads. Furthermore, the racks are super light and easy to install.
They are also companionable with most types of crossbars and can fit without scrabbling your camper roof because no bolts are needed to lock them in place.
Furthermore, these kayak pads come with a comprehensive set of straps and tie-downs you need to safe your kayak. The pads also have springs that regulate to your kayak’s shape, so no modification is required.
4. Rhino-Rack Nautic Kayak Rack For RV Roofs
If you want a sturdy set of racks that don’t need to be misshapen or removed every time you drive into your garage, then you must try the Rhino-Rack Nautic racks for campervan roofs.
These low-profile racks grab onto your kayak like a protected pair of hands, so all you need to do is strap it down for extra security. They are also universally companionable with square and smooth camper-roof crossbars.
The supports are nylon padded to stop scratches and dents on your boat. Moreover, the pads can rotate 180 degrees allowing them to adapt to any shape of kayak rack for RV or SUP paddleboard.
The package also includes all the straps and tie-downs to secure every side of your kayak, including hooks for securing at the fifth wheel or A-frame.
5. YAKIMA – BigStack Rooftop Mounted Boat Rack
If carrying up to four kayaks is your RV, a regular saddle kayak rack won’t do much unless you have a stacked deck. The YAKIMA BigStack kayak rack for RV or campervans are just pallets
which are strong enough to hold together a heap of kayaks Just like another kayak rack for RV from YAKIMA, this is also a sturdy frame that comes with the straps that you need to hold two kayaks down, including the bow and stern tie-downs.
Notwithstanding that, the pillars can be reasonably secured from falling when carrying up to three passengers but you need extra straps which is a rescue when travelling as a family.
Where not in use, the bars can be folded up to the roof providing the driver with a convenient parking spot. Apart from that, the paddles are equipped with strap clips which help you clip your kayak faster.
6. Malone Seawing Stinger-Combo Kayak Racks For Campers
Have you been on the lookout for a kayak rack that provides ease in loading and also protects your camper roof from scratches and dents? If so, then what you need is the Malone stinger-combo kayak racks for RV.
The stinger is the best thing on this rack, because the stinger (which is a detachable feature) makes loading very easy, especially when you load alone. Furthermore, its wide boards ensure that your kayak is evenly strapped, while the pads on the rubber control scratch on the hull.
Such racks are adjustable to fit any frame of crossbars that have different widths. It is suitable for those who put the wider crossbars on the top of the roof. Great, now the straps are fixed up with the strap clips that diminish the impact of the weight on your kayak hull. The stinger could also be locked onto the cradle while it is not in use to be used as extra padding for the kayak.
7. YAKIMA DeckHand Roof Mounted Boat Rack
It’s important to go for the universal fitting kayak racks probably not to have further extra crossbar costs on top of buying your kayak rack.
So, if you wonder why YAKIMA Deckhand kayak rack for RV roofs are so popular, that’s because such racks can’t wait to have the extra costs.
What is great about these racks is that no tools are needed for installation because you only need to open then clamp them onto the crossbar to secure them.
Besides, the load of racks is easy due to the soft felt padding, which is different from the nylon material that causes resistance when the kayaks are being loaded.
The package includes everything that is needed for the straps to secure a kayak. Also, it has bow and stern tie-downs.
8. TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier For Camper Roofs
you need a wider bed for your kayaks if you are going camping with kayaks of huge sizes. Then the TIRS HD kayak carrier is ideal.
This is one of the market’s most wallet-friendly tow tray options with plenty of safety features, such as the padded rubberized bed that will protect the hull. The wide b and extra foam padding add to the ease and smoothness of loading the bed.
These racks are relaxed to install because of the wide base clamps onto any crossbar, including round and square roof racks for RVs. Well still, the package has strong straps with ratcheting locks that are easy to tie down and secure.
9. ACCPOLS Bike And Kayak Rack For RV
Biking and kayaking/canoeing are amongst the best sports that you can repetition while RV camping that clarifies why you can also find an ACCPOLS carrier for camper backs that doubles as a bike rack too and is also a great deal.
This package is a single strong steel frame that enables two bikes to be transported with the extra needed for kayaks to be fully secured.
Furthermore, these racks grab onto any hitch receiver by clamping onto the hitch trailer ensuring that they are well secured to the vehicle without causing damage to the vehicle body by drilling.
Foam padding on our kayak racks will provide you with a snug hold without the kayak getting scratched. The sizes calibrate the rack’s height too; that can go as high as 62- inches. which more than enough to include any kayak.
Furthermore, the rack can be folded compactly for the sake of easy carrying when traveling and storage after use.
10. Thule Hull-A-Port Aero Rooftop Kayak Carrier
Thule kayak carriers are built to last; much of the frames are resilient to bumps from regular kayak carrying and bad weather. J-bars are adjustable also and tighten up snugly under the cradle with a turn of the knob.
Additionally, it is a rack that folds down all the way to be completely flat, hence when you park your camper, convenience is realized.
Thule kayak carriers are constructed to last with sturdy frames that withstand the battering of regular kayak transferring and harsh weather. The J-bars are also easy to regulate and lock steadily using a simple knob under the cradle.
Moreover, the rack can be folded to be completely flat for convenience when parking your camper.
How To Choose The Best Kayak Rack For RV Campers
Transporting a kayak in your RV doesn’t need to be confounded.
You just need a rack that makes everything simple by announcing efficiently onto your crossbars and offering a delicate bed for your kayak to lie on.
You must ensure that all necessary straps are in place and that the rack can support your width.
These are different fascinating points when buying a kayak transporter for campers.
Crossbar Compatibility
Most kayak racks are now made for aerodynamic crossbars to match the most popular crossbar makes in the market. You should therefore check the manufacturer’s conditions to ensure that the racks are friendly with your crossbars. Some builders also make kayak racks that are compatible with their own branded crossbars, so you have to be keen on specifications.
Stability
The breeze is a major area of strength for the rooftop, which is the reason many kayaks on the way get torn and separated before they arrive at their objective.
It deteriorates when your rack isn’t cinching sturdily onto the crossbars because the skipping and shaking will harm both the camper’s body and the structure.
Kayak rack for RV bumpers are an option if you can’t find a roof rack that will fit your crossbars because they will fit any hitch receiver.
Accessories And Convenience
Bow and harsh straps are significant adornments that a few makers do exclude. You ought to never cruise all over with a kayak without straps because the breeze won’t take it. You ought to likewise consider lash cuts on the rack with the goal that the ties don’t tie too hard around the kayak’s body, which can likewise cause harm. Because your garage was not designed with the height of your kayak rack for RV in mind, collapsible J-bars should also be taken into consideration.
What Is The Easiest Kayak Rack To Use?
Rooftop kayak pads are the easiest because they regulate to make loading easy and adjust to your kayak’s shape. Kayak racks for RV trailer hitches are also easy to load and dismount.
How Far Should Kayak Racks Be Apart?
It depends on the width of your crossbars. Most racks have a width recommendation between 24 and 30 inches. You may need straps to protect the base of your kayak if it goes too close to the camper roof.
