Best Way to Carry 9ft. Long Whitewater Kayaks Utilizing the Hitch on an RV

Question:

Hi all, Are there any options to carry kayaking on a hitch mounted rack? All I have come up with is using a small cargo carrier and tying them on that. Thanks for any and all ideas you can provide.

asked by: Scott

Expert Reply:

I want to lead this answer by saying, most racks aren't rated for use on RVs/Motorhomes because of the additional stress that is put on them with the extra movement that occurs on the backs of these vehicles- it's much different when attached to a passenger vehicle.

There are kayak carriers that mount on your hitch, but they will only work with pickup trucks since they're typically only meant to hold one end of the kayak; the Rhino-Rack T-Load Hitch Mounted Load Assist and Support Bar # RTL002 is a good example.

Using a cargo carrier like the Curt Cargo Carrier # C18113 is going to be the most cost effective, but this is not going to be rated and tested for RV use. You're also likely going to have some overhang on the sides of your Fleetwood Jamboree. This is going to be a pain when parking and you run the risk of damaging them if you get into tight spaces.

I think the best solution to carry your kayaks on the back of your RV is using a small trailer like the Malone MicroSport LowBed Trailer # MPG464-LB . These trailers have an 800lb weight capacity so they can be used to carry more than just your kayaks and using a trailer eliminates the normal concern with using a hitch mounted accessory on the back of an RV. This trailer comes with a 4 way connector to connect lights to the trailer the low bed makes loading your kayaks easy.

expert reply by: Erik B