Kayak Trailer and SUV mount...

I just finished preparing 2 transport methods for my PA12:  utility trailer with Kayak supports and also hanging out the back of our Saturn VUE (supported by a hitch carrier).

We have lots of boat launches close by that we already buy permits for: 2 miles to either the Florence Marina launch (Siuslaw tidewater) or to Munsel Lake (nice little trout lake), with Siltcoos Lake and many other lakes close by, plus more launches going up the Siuslaw, so having the kayak stored on the trailer makes it easy drive off, drop the yak in the water all rigged up and ready to go.  (Also, I needed a little utility trailer anyway, so double duty rig)

first image it has all the sides, basic 4x8' cargo setup.  For Kayak, I remove the ends, add the saddle supports to front, roller fixture to the rear (trucks from a $12 Target skateboard).  These supports have 8' separation, so yak hangs 2 feet over the front tongue and 2' out the back...both sets of supports are adjustable so I can fine tune the height, width and angles when I get to my PA12 in May.....

For my "in the small SUV" approach, I move the roller fixture from the trailer to our hitch carrier, lay down all the seats and it should fit great- the rollers are 11' back from the dash, so I will only have a foot or so hanging behind that point, also plenty of width (30") between the driver seat and pass. side, and I can pull down and secure the rear hatch against the back of the kayak.    One of the times when this method will be really helpful is in Sept-Oct when our Florence boat launch is extremely busy and the car/trailer parking is totally full but there are always several "car only" spaces available, so I can just back down the ramp, roll the yak into the water and tie it off to the dock, then go park and be off quickly, no need find space for a trailer up the road a half mile...cheers, roger

Looks awesome! Good job!

That's a really sweet setup. I like the versatility of being able to use either the trailer or extend the back of your rig by a couple feet.

Clean and clever. Nice job!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I might add that for the HarborFreight trailer, 2 sheets of plywood (1" deck, 1/2" sides), skateboard, and kayak saddles, I am in this for a total of right about $375 (I had all the other boards in my shop).  They do register/plate these little trailers in AZ but I can get a $15 trip permit to tow it to Oregon where that is not required....

Very clever ideas there especially making the trailer multi duty.   Have you tried the set up with the kayaks out the back of the SUV.   I have an Astro Van that I have just opened the back upper hatch up and let the ends of the kayaks stick out.  I found at lower city speeds a good deal of exhaust would circulate into the van. 
 

May have just been how the aerodynamics worked out with my rig and not typical.
Again great ideas with your set up

Very clever ideas there especially making the trailer multi duty.   Have you tried the set up with the kayaks out the back of the SUV.   I have an Astro Van that I have just opened the back upper hatch up and let the ends of the kayaks stick out.  I found at lower city speeds a good deal of exhaust would circulate into the van. 
 

May have just been how the aerodynamics worked out with my rig and not typical.
Again great ideas with your set up

thanks Craig, I am not expecting exhaust issues as I have transported 12' roof panels (they just fit from windshield to hitch carrier) an hour at highway speeds before, with the hatch tied down well, nothing but a slight amount of road noise from the rear.

but I think the engine also plays a role-  our Saturn Vue has an Ohio built Honda V6 that is a Tier2 ULEV engine, super clean exhaust....

what I am anxious to learn is how easy it is for one person to load and unload the fully rigged kayak (~150#) right into the water....cheers, roger