How to put my kayak on top of my van?

[Mr. NiceGuy]

I have a 20' extended Chevy Express 3500 van. I removed the seats and I'm setting it up as a tramp-camper for some road trips around the country.

What is the best way to get my Hobie Outback on and off the roof in a secure way for traveling?

I'm an old fart, not a young stud, so I have to use my brain more than my brawn.

I have a MIG welder and don't mind making something from scratch.

Any ideas?

[lowprofile]

Put a rack with kayak cradle up there. It’s really easy to put the front or back of the kayak up first then lift the other side and slide it up. I did it for years with my pro angler on top of a lifted FJ.

I think I’ve even seen a drop down cradle that you load at shoulder height and it swings up.

[Salty]

This looks interesting. No experience with it myself since I usually just slide my Outback onto the roof from the back, then flip it. But this seems like it might be an option for you at least:

https://shop.opticsplanet.com/rhino-...oaAjR-EALw_wcB

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Thanks for the first two suggestions. There is always a wealth of ideas and information from kayak fisherpeople here!

Is it better to mount the kayak right side up, or upside down? I have seen people do it both ways.

I'm thinking about aerodynamics and a secure mounting for freeway speeds.


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I have enjoyed a small motorhome before, but I like the idea of a smaller and simpler camp van. The less encumbered I am, the happier I am to be an adventure traveler.

I have a small kitchen sink nozzle adapted to a pump sprayer for washing my kayak that doubles as a simple shower. If I need privacy for my "shower" I can sit in a big plastic storage box from Costco for $8.50 that doubles as a storage box ;-)

I bought a tri-fold 6" memory foam mattress that is outstanding for comfort and warmth, and it stows easily in a zipper bag for protection.

I have a small portable toilet that works perfectly. The bottom pops off like a suitcase and is discreet. It can easily be dumped at any service station or fast food restaurant along the way. MUCH easier than the way I used to dump my motorhome.


mattress
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

mattress stow bag
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

portable toilet
https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Whit...%2C175&sr=8-15

What more could a Caveman with a kayak wish for? (Maybe some kind of small portable flat panel TV for watching movies streamed from my ipad or iphone?)


Life is sweet

[lowprofile]

This guys does it pretty well.

https://youtu.be/s7gQKKBV648

Depending on the kayak determines weather it’s upside down or not. Hobies I load right side up since the bottoms are flat and most have rails and other stuff on top. Most of the paddle kayaks I’ve hade have a V hull and flat tops so they went upside down.

When securing it don’t over tighten the straps going across the kayak, they just need to be tight enough to keep it from sliding back and forth or raddling in the wind. The ropes going from the bumpers to the kayak are what keep it on the roof and should be taunt but not enough to flex the kayak.
Also, put a twist in any flat lines, like ratchet straps, otherwise they become a reed instrument and hum really loud at freeway speeds

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by lowprofile

https://youtu.be/s7gQKKBV648

I like the way he uses wheels. Maybe I can attach my Hobie kayak wheels to the back of a ladder rack for dual purpose.
The Outback is about 100 lbs. A ladder rack on top of the van would be about 7.5' off the pavement.
I'll have to experiment with the mechanics.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Another option from Rhino-Rack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSeHSCfHniQ&t=3s

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

Is it better to mount the kayak right side up, or upside down? I have seen people do it both ways.

Upside down for proper stowage, plus better aerodynamics. Right side up for convenience.

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

portable toilet
https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Whit...%2C175&sr=8-15


Life is sweet

That is sweet -- When my brother went to law school in SD, he lived in his VW camper for a semester and had a coffee can for a toilet.

[MITCHELL]

And he put his pro angler inside his van and had a plywood bed to sleep on on top of kayak

[Paul1066]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

I have a 20' extended Chevy Express 3500 van. I removed the seats and I'm setting it up as a tramp-camper for some road trips around the country.

What is the best way to get my Hobie Outback on and off the roof in a secure way for traveling?

I'm an old fart, not a young stud, so I have to use my brain more than my brawn.

I have a MIG welder and don't mind making something from scratch.

Any ideas?

why not carry it in side the van .

[jruiz]

Hullavator

[lowprofile]

Originally Posted by Paul1066

why not carry it in side the van .

Have you ever carried a kayak in a van or class C camper or even small toy hauler? There’s a reason you see them on the roofs. The amount of sand they bring in and space they take up will drive you insane.

I had a 44ft 5th wheel toy hauler and my kayaks went on the top.

[MITCHELL]

And don't you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road jack 😎 what you say...

[MITCHELL]

All summer long....tune into the radio for sound 👌

[igotpron]

If it were me. I’d go with something like this

https://www.ezrecreationalracks.com/#/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mahigeer]

Originally Posted by jruiz

Hullavator

I have one for sale.

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by Paul1066

why not carry it in side the van .

For local fishing, I do. That’s a piece of cake.

For cross country road trips the kayak is an add-on, not a primary purpose. I will be using the inside of the van for a living space and travel amenities. Smaller than a motorhome, bigger and more luxurious than nothing.

[FrankMCG]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

I have a 20' extended Chevy Express 3500 van. I removed the seats and I'm setting it up as a tramp-camper for some road trips around the country.

What is the best way to get my Hobie Outback on and off the roof in a secure way for traveling?

I'm an old fart, not a young stud, so I have to use my brain more than my brawn.

I have a MIG welder and don't mind making something from scratch.

Any ideas?

Hi! Did you install a roof rack somehow? Unfortunately, most roofs do not have a fastening, I don't have a clue how to do that! It’s good to have a welder, but it’s bad when you don’t know how to apply it - about me