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Guess who's back?
jed with a spring Big Mack

Topic: Non-Welded Kayak Tower options/ideas?  (Read 3546 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Cosmo

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I finally purchased a Snowbear-like trailer over the weekend.  I'd like to build a tower to be able to carry my two outbacks at the level of the front and back rails.  I am not a welder, but looking for other ideas on what materials can be bolted together in some fashion that will suffice.

I thought about using Galvanized pipe and fittings but looking for any ideas that others have successfully done.

Any thoughts?
Cosmo
2 Hobie Mirage Outbacks 2014


Lee

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U bolts and 2x4 would get it done quick and simple. Got pictures of the trailer?  Seeing exactly what you're working with makes it easier to suggest solutions.
 


SteveHawk

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Are the sides on your trailer solid?
"if you aren't living life on the edge, your just taking up space"  Thom Rock


Green Outback, Blue Revo


Cosmo

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Here's a pic of the trailer.  It's 5x8, back and front fold down, tongue extends.
Cosmo
2 Hobie Mirage Outbacks 2014


[WR]

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Internal or external stake pockets? Having those gives you an easy base to start with.


Cosmo

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No stake pockets inside or out.  Sides are very sturdy, so I'm thinking to bolt something onto the top or side of the side panels.

the front and back panels are 7ft apart.  I'm assuming that's too far apart to support an outback, and will put too much pressure on the ends of the kayak?
Cosmo
2 Hobie Mirage Outbacks 2014


Noah

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How many kayaks do you want to transport?


Cosmo

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2 outbacks up on the racks,  side by side, with room for gear and potentially other "friends" kayaks laying in the bed.  I want to keep the bed open for other things.
Cosmo
2 Hobie Mirage Outbacks 2014


craig

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2 outbacks up on the racks,  side by side, with room for gear and potentially other "friends" kayaks laying in the bed.  I want to keep the bed open for other things.

If you get J cradles, you can easily get three yaks on.  I have two sets of j-cradles, one on each side. A third kayak lays across the bars in the middle.  I the bars were long enough, you may be able to get two on their sides in the middle. That leaves the cargo area open for gear.


JamesC

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Have you looked at unistrut?
All fishermen are liars except you and me
(and sometimes I wonder about you).
-Anonymous


Cosmo

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I think I have figured out what I want to do.  I will construct two cross bars  out of half inch galvanized pipe connected with 90 degree elbows.  The racks should be easy enough to remove when not in use.   I will also paint them black to match the trailer. I just ordered two sets of J Racks on Amazon and they should be here next week.  The angle of the J racks will allow me to not have to make the bars wider than the trailer.

Thank you to everyone for your comments, ideas and help.  I will post pics as I go.
Cosmo
2 Hobie Mirage Outbacks 2014


islandson671

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Hit me up. I can make this set up racks for $350 installed but you gotta bring it up here to WA



Cosmo

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I really like your setup.  I also thought about using the existing front and back of the trailer as supports, but was concerned that the distance between the too would put too much pressure on the center of the kayaks during transport.  On my trailer, it's 7' from front to back.  Is that too great of a distance?
Cosmo
2 Hobie Mirage Outbacks 2014