Best vehicle for hauling a kayak? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ful-rac · 03-03-2018, 10:41 AM

You have a snug top, type cover correct? If so take it off and put a rack on it. Sounds like you already have a great vehicle for hauling your kayak around.

With that said, a newer 4 runner would be nice...

tacmik · 03-03-2018, 12:01 PM

Tractor trailer. A brand new Peterbuilt with a 55 ft trail will haul everything easily.

MITCHELL · 03-06-2018, 02:50 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tacmik

Tractor trailer. A brand new Peterbuilt with a 55 ft trail will haul everything easily.

If there's a will there's a way....
Reheat yesterdays cold hotdogs, and eat left over fish cold....

MITCHELL · 03-06-2018, 04:52 AM

Double check your load....don't leave anything that can vibrate loose....nothing better than a good rope for tying off...your a fisherman knots shouldn't be a problem if so lean quick you don't want to kill somebody. Like a guy on a motorcycle.

Denis_Ruso · 03-06-2018, 07:54 AM

I have a 4runner myself, and I have to say that anything outside of a pickup truck is not that ideal for hauling a kayak. Overhead lifting a decent ocean kayak comes with challenges. It limits what kind of kayak you can have, you sure as hell aren't putting a PA up there. To top it, lifting overhead you get tons of sand and saltwater all over the car and have to have all kinds of roof rack additions. To top it you're risking dinging the car. Also it's not ideally aerodynamic for long road trips to have kayaks on the roof.

But it's sure damn nice to have all that interior room for stuff, locking things away and even sleeping in when camping.

Pickup truck, a simple T bar and you're good to haul 2 kayaks. No overhead lifting, all the gear can be stored in the bed and keep all the sand as well. Easy to 1 man it.

cris · 03-06-2018, 08:04 AM

I lift a Hobie Oasis which has a fitted hull weight of 93 lbs onto my car by myself when I fish solo. I have a Subaru Outback which is lower than the 4Runner and I usually slide it up the back over a mat. It also has AWD which has been great so far and I haven't been stuck yet. It does have a 2700lb tow limit and 200lb tongue weight with the H4 engine which means you can barely haul anything.

MITCHELL · 03-06-2018, 09:22 AM

Parking and still get my kayak on and off....i have pvc rollers on both sides of my rack. And ratchet straps that go through the cab,my kayak never touches my car. I use a truck for long hauls.

03-03-2018, 10:41 AM	#1
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	You have a snug top, type cover correct? If so take it off and put a rack on it. Sounds like you already have a great vehicle for hauling your kayak around. With that said, a newer 4 runner would be nice... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog. Last edited by ful-rac; 03-03-2018 at 11:32 AM.

03-03-2018, 12:01 PM	#2
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	Tractor trailer. A brand new Peterbuilt with a 55 ft trail will haul everything easily. __________________

03-06-2018, 04:52 AM	#4
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,289	Choose what works best for you.... Double check your load....don't leave anything that can vibrate loose....nothing better than a good rope for tying off...your a fisherman knots shouldn't be a problem if so lean quick you don't want to kill somebody. Like a guy on a motorcycle. __________________ Duke Mitchell

03-06-2018, 07:54 AM	#5
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	I have a 4runner myself, and I have to say that anything outside of a pickup truck is not that ideal for hauling a kayak. Overhead lifting a decent ocean kayak comes with challenges. It limits what kind of kayak you can have, you sure as hell aren't putting a PA up there. To top it, lifting overhead you get tons of sand and saltwater all over the car and have to have all kinds of roof rack additions. To top it you're risking dinging the car. Also it's not ideally aerodynamic for long road trips to have kayaks on the roof. But it's sure damn nice to have all that interior room for stuff, locking things away and even sleeping in when camping. Pickup truck, a simple T bar and you're good to haul 2 kayaks. No overhead lifting, all the gear can be stored in the bed and keep all the sand as well. Easy to 1 man it. __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

03-06-2018, 09:22 AM	#7
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,289	I load my kayak from either side....i could be locked in bumper to bumper.... Parking and still get my kayak on and off....i have pvc rollers on both sides of my rack. And ratchet straps that go through the cab,my kayak never touches my car. I use a truck for long hauls. __________________ Duke Mitchell

03-06-2018, 08:04 AM	#6
cris Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 254	I lift a Hobie Oasis which has a fitted hull weight of 93 lbs onto my car by myself when I fish solo. I have a Subaru Outback which is lower than the 4Runner and I usually slide it up the back over a mat. It also has AWD which has been great so far and I haven't been stuck yet. It does have a 2700lb tow limit and 200lb tongue weight with the H4 engine which means you can barely haul anything.