It’s not everything you get to find RVers moving without a kayak. Why? Camping and kayaking go hand in hand.
If the area you are camping in is around waterways, you’ll regret leaving your kayak behind.
Transporting a kayak on an RV may seem like an easy task, and it sure is. Why? The RV is what is carrying the kayak.
Unfortunately, you cannot carry a kayak on an RV that doesn’t have a rack. The only option is to place the kayak on the vehicle’s roof, which might be too risky. How? The wind might blow it away.
A safe and easy way to transport one or more kayaks is to place them at the RV’s rear. But you are going to need a rack for this.
Buying a rack for an RV can be quite expensive, but that won’t be the case if you’re building one yourself, as it would be much cheaper.
So, how can you build a kayak rack for an RV? You’ll find the information you seek here.
Factors To Consider When Building A Kayak Rack For An RV
All RVers know the benefit of having a kayak rack for transporting kayaks. It makes transportation a breeze.
Trying to force the kayak into the RV wouldn’t be good. Why? It will occupy the space for people who plan to embark on the journey with you.
So, build your rack and have it installed at the back of your RV. It’s much cheaper that way.
Alright, let’s discuss factors to consider before building a kayak rack.
1. Pay attention to size:
The size of your kayak matters a great deal, as it would help you determine how best to mount the kayak.
The lake kayaks and river or ocean kayaks differ in size. While the lake kayak is much shorter, they have the advantage in the width department.
The river or ocean kayak is much longer and faster. However, the width of the lake kayak gives you the advantage of a smooth ride.
How does size impact how you store and transport your kayak in an RV?
Well, the lake kayaks aren’t that long. Thus, you can place them at the rear of your RV. On the other hand, river or ocean kayaks are longer, and thus, placing them on the roof of your RV should be an option.
So if you decide to mount your kayak in the rear, building a kayak rack would be the next hurdle you need to cross.
2. Decide where you want to mount the kayak:
Now, let’s assume you plan to mount your kayak on your RV’s roof. How safe is it?
Well, a roof-mounted kayak is safe. But the risk is super high. How risky is it? The wind could strike.
The thing is, you need to strap your kayak to the roof properly. Otherwise, it can fall off. Remember, the kayak will be in the direction of the RV’s speed. Thus, it can only withstand the force of the wind if the strap is tight enough.
A Handy Tip: Rear-mount is the safest way to transport a kayak. You don’t need to do much to hold the kayak in place.
The chance of the kayak falling off when rear-mounted is slim.
Why You Should Build A Kayak Rack On Your RV
You probably may have been transporting your kayaks on your RV’s roof. And you haven’t had any challenge with it.
The roof-mount kayak may have been a comfortable means for you to transport your kayak. But remember that the wind could blow the kayak off your RV’s roof if not strapped tight enough. This can be a disaster if there’s a driver behind you.
Rear-mounted kayaks are the best. Let’s discuss how.
Budget-friendly to build:
You can build a kayak rack for your RV without breaking the bank. The rack is also a breeze to build using basic DIY skills.
Additionally, there’s less chance that wind will send your rear mount kayak flying when the RV is at top speed. You may only face such a challenge when you transport a kayak on the RV’s roof
Can accommodate more kayaks:
Besides the less risk, a rear setup creates room for two kayaks or a kayak and probably, extra gear such as a cooler.
So the rear mount helps create enough space in the RV, as you can mount several gears there.
Weight:
The thing is, weight can be a challenge regardless of where you mount your kayak. However, a roof mount kayak would have more issues regarding weight.
Remember that the average lake kayak weighs around 30 to 50 pounds, excluding the gears. However, if you happen to be a fisherman, the total weight of your kayak and gear may exceed 75 pounds.
Imagine placing a kayak together with gears weighing 75 pounds on your RV’s roof. Would that be a good idea? Unfortunately, it isn’t. The RV’s roof might have trouble handling such weight. Additionally, understand that if the weight isn’t distributed properly, it could be an issue.
However, placing a 75-pound at the rear of your RV won’t be much of a problem compared to placing it on the roof. You can even transport two kayaks in the rear of your RV.
How To Build A Kayak Rack For An RV
Before you begin, evaluate yourself to know how prepared you are for this DIY task. Have you ever used a welding torch? If yes, then you can build a reliable base.
Now, check your RV. Does it have a tow hitch hookup where you can attach the base? Finally, have you seen or touched a water noodle before?
These skill sets are crucial when building the rear rack from scratch. But you can still build a rack for your RV without them.
Here’s how to go about it.
Firstly, you have to prepare the base to support the kayak. You can build a base from scratch or shop around for a good quality base.
Now, have the base hooked to the tow hitch of your RV.
The next step is lining the bottom using cut water noodles tapped down and wrapping them around the metal to protect the kayak from damage.
After doing this, use straps to hold the top, middle, and base of the kayak.
A Handy Tip: Buy a metal cargo carrier. Why? It tends to last longer and can hold more weight.
Conclusion
So if you’re seeking tips on how to build a kayak rack for an RV, this post is for you.
Building a kayak rack is far less expensive than buying one. So, if your RV has a tow hitch and you have experience using a welding torch, get the required tools and start building your kayak rack.
However, if you haven’t used the welding torch before and don’t know how to build a base for your rack, you should consider buying one. You can search around for a good quality metal base for your rack.
