The Best Kayak Rack for Camper and How to Build It

Now it’s time to plan another kayak camping trip. With such a large kayak, how do you transport your kayak in your camper or RV without adding extra height and without being unsafe? Of course, it still has to be an kayak rack for camper.

There are several ways to mount your kayak to your camper, but is there one that works best for your camping adventure?

We’ll go over the best ways to mount your kayak to your camper, review the best camper kayak racks available today, and explain how to build your own kayak rack. Let’s get started!

Best Kayak Racks For Camper

TruXedo Elevate Rack System FS Rack

Very sturdy construction, easy installation and great part fit. The ability to adjust the height of the rack is useful for placing tall loads in the bed or lowering it for regular use.

Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier – Roof-Mounted

It comes with a hefty price tag that may put you off. But you can actually get a reliable quality and highly useful kayak roof rack system.

5 Best RV Kayak Racks

RecPro RV Vertical Kayak Rack

The Articulated Vertical Kayak Rack is well designed to fit on the hitch of your RV or trailer.

This kayak rack can hold kayaks or paddleboards up to 12 feet in height. It is made of alloy steel, mounted on a 2″ receiver and weighs 46 lbs.

The Vertical Kayak Rack is one of the best solutions for carrying our kayaks while camping. It can carry two kayaks and up to 150 pounds and has three different mounting height holes. The rack has ratchet straps to keep it in place, pool noodles for padding, and an anti-vibration mechanism.

YakUps RV Kayak Rack 2KR37W

YakUps is a company that makes vertical kayak racks for RVs.

Other manufacturers of kayak racks specifically designed for RVs and vertical installations are hard to find. YakUps offers a variety of models for different needs because each rack is custom-built.

The 2KR37W can hold 2 kayaks up to 33 inches wide and 12 inches long.

Arrives fully assembled with all stainless steel hardware, patented adjustable protectors, padlocks, kayak cables and straps to secure and protect your valuable kayak.

Note: If you have a back-up camera, this rack may block your view due to the close proximity of the kayaks. For vans or RVs with rear doors that need to be opened, this option can also be used with a heavy-duty swing arm hitch attachment.

Oh yeah, they say it also comes with a 5 year warranty, which gives a little bonus to the high price.

YakUps RV Kayak Rack KR2B56 with Optional Bike Rack

The YakUps KR2B56 RV Kayak Rack has room for both bikes and kayaks. It has an optional bike rack add-on and can hold up to two watercraft that are 32 inches wide and 6.5 feet long.

The KR2B56 is YakUps most popular choice. If you want to explore both land and water, this is the model for you.

Attach your kayak to your RV’s ladder

Many RV owners choose to transport their kayaks on their RV by attaching them to the RV ladder. This choice requires some creativity but is quite affordable.

Some RVers discourage this because they feel the constant stress on the ladder is too much. Some simply use this technique and report no problems.

Build Your Own

You can also make your own. RV kayak racks can cost three to ten times as much as the actual kayak.

You can save money by making your own RV kayak rack, but be prepared to work up a sweat and use some muscle. To learn how to do this, read on!

How to build a kayak rack for your RV

In general, there are only two ways to build your own kayak rack.

• Buying a pre-built kayak rack from an online store
• Build your own kayak rack

The DIY outdoor kayak rack is the most economical option. Whether you want to put your kayak on the roof of your car or the back of your RV, you will need a small amount of supplies to get the job done.

Here are the details on how to build your own kayak rack.

What is the best way to mount a kayak to an RV?

The type of RV you have will determine the best mounting strategy. Vertical installation of your kayak often works best because Class A motorhomes and fifth-wheel RVs are some of the tallest vehicles on the road. To install a kayak vertically, it is often necessary to stand it up and attach it to your tow hitch or RV ladder with a mechanism.

Although there are several kayak racks available for the roof of your RV, most RVers do not want to add extra height. Plus, it could reduce your gas mileage. You want to save as much gas as possible when your vehicle only gets about 10 MPG.

However, smaller RV trailers and motorhomes may work well with roof mounts. If you are towing, you can also mount your kayaks on the roof of your car or SUV.

Conclusion

The dimensions and features of your RV and your kayak or paddleboard should be considered when looking for a kayak rack for your camper. When shopping, be sure to carefully consider the dimensions of your equipment and the requirements of your rack, as not all racks are compatible with all vehicles and may not be able to accommodate all types of kayaks.

With these tips and tricks, I’m sure you’ll be able to get your kayak into the camper with ease.

FAQ

How do you carry a kayak on a camper?

You must first determine whether your camper can support this additional weight. Because the weight also affects the approach you utilize.

There are several methods for loading a kayak onto your RV. The best and most common solutions are securing the kayak to a ladder on the RV’s rear, using a roof rack on the car, or putting it on a kayak trailer in the back.

Can you put a kayak rack on travel trailer?

Yes, you can; kayak trailers make it easy to load and unload kayaks, and they can be mounted on top of your camper. For those with previous paddling experience, kayak trailers are perfect. You can also use a kayak trailer to transport any kayak to the campsite.

Can you strap a kayak to an RV?

Cam straps are the easiest way to secure your kayak to your camper. No special knots are required, just pass the straps through the buckles and tighten.

Make sure your kayak is parallel to your vehicle and centered between the crossbars.

The buckle of a cam strap should be placed on the side of the kayak a few inches above and to the side of one of the crossbars. Throw the other end of the strap over your kayak.

Walk to the opposite side of your car, grab the end of the strap, wrap it around the crossbar, and throw it back over your boat. Make sure the strap is in the area where the crossbar is attached to the car.

This will prevent the strap from coming loose from the end of the crossbar.

Return to the first side and wrap the end of the strap under the crossbar, up into the cam buckle, and then tighten.

Again, make sure the strap is on the inside of the vehicle’s crossbar attachment point.

Repeat the process on the other crossbar with the other strap.

Both straps should be tight, but not too tight. Plastic hulls and fiberglass can be damaged by excessive tension.

Knot the loose ends of the straps just below the cam buckles, then attach any excess length to the crossbars. This will support the cam buckles and keep the slack from flapping as you ride.

Shake the kayak from side to side while holding each end to make sure it is stable.

What are the best kayak rack for camper?

There are several common designs for RV kayak racks, including roof-mounted racks, hitch-mounted racks, and ladder-mounted racks. Your specific needs and the type of camper you have will determine which option is ideal for you.

Are camping kayak racks weatherproof?

Most camping kayak racks are made of sturdy, weather-resistant materials such as aluminum or plastic. It’s important to check the specifications of the rack and make sure it can withstand the elements. It’s also a good idea to store your kayak indoors or use a protective cover when the weather is bad.