How do you guys carry your kayaks?

[Tanners Owner]

I have EZ Rec Rack and it was used on my Ram and once my RLD canopy arrives, I’ll mount the base on it. Works as advertised

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[Jaxmax]

RSI cap with Yakima rail mounts with removable control towers, have boat loader bars in both bars on passenger side to help load and also to allow to extend out a bit to carry wide kayaks. …..Jack

 

[MojaveAZ2020]

That is an awesome little trailer. If I didn't already have an 8 utility trailer to carry my yak in, I would look into this.

Yeah...I love it. Super practical and easy to load/unload. It is versatile, allowing for many different configs as well as being able to put a tent on it if you want. I little pricey but worth it in my book for the long range and versatility.

 

[RCKLNDR]

I carry my 18 footer on my DIY rack

 

[treadmark]

Looks like the best probably most expensive option to me. Not on a Gladiator. But with a rack that would go higher than the cab I bet it would work nicely.

I have a Hullavator I used on my JLUR that I will install on a Yakima Overhaul when I get my JT. I had bought it used, but would buy it new if I now had to do so. It is expensive, but great for people such as me who love kayaking, have relatively heavy kayaks, and have had previous back surgery due to an injury.

 

[Gregiator]

Anyone try the adarac aluminum pro?

 

[CFLgladiator]

I have a Hullavator I used on my JLUR that I will install on a Yakima Overhaul when I get my JT. I had bought it used, but would buy it new if I now had to do so. It is expensive, but great for people such as me who love kayaking, have relatively heavy kayaks, and have had previous back surgery due to an injury.

Funny enough I have a hullavator that we use on the Grand Cherokee that I bought used as well because I thought the price too high. Having owned it I would not hesitate buying one new now.
If you are mounting on bars I recommend it. It's very sturdy, just watch your rack weight limit if using two with two kayaks.

 

[Jaxmax]

Used my boat loader trick of extending out a few inches to get two wide kayaks on Yakima bars on RSI cap, about 67” total kayak width, went well….Jack

 

[redfish]

 

[JPGlad21]

500 mile round trip, breaking it in with my Thule racks and beloved Hullivator. One of my best investments! 1st time in 6 years I haven't had to buy new footings - same ones from my traded JLUR.

 

[khockey02]

Old picture, but strapped to an atv works.

 

[LittleFish]

Didn't see the Sport Rack posted so I figured I'd add it to the list. Unlike the Thule/Yakima versions, this is a fixed height rack. Being that I don't keep the rack permanently mounted on this truck, the height adjustable option of the Thule/Yakima racks are of no real use to me anyway. It's also a fraction of the cost... I've had this rack for +/- 5 years and it simply works.

Note: these racks will interfere with the tonneau cover (mine is rolled up in the photo) and the factory gear track systems if you have that in the bed of your truck.

Hobie Kayak's don't play nice with most rack systems as their hull needs to be supported lengthwise. 2 PVC pipes along the channels in the hull are perfect for providing support but no factory designed kayak mounting racks are designed for this purpose. Just set the pipes on the cross rails and set the Hobie on top of that. We have 2 Hobie's and the rack will comfortably support both of them.

The rack takes +/- 10 minutes to install/uninstall. It works well and is substantially stronger than mounting a rack to the composite material of the jeep roof. I play in the salt water so a thorough washing at the end of a trip is not optional, it must be done or the salt will destroy anything it comes in prolonged contact with. The additional +/- 10 minutes to remove the rack is just part of the cleaning process.

In our case, the Hobie's are roughly +/- 80 lbs and +/- 60 lbs. Add a couple racks and add the force of the wind at HWY speeds... pretty sure the composite roof would not hold up for very long.

 

[Thefool]

I use the tuwa pro bed rack. Works really well

 

[run2recovery]

Just drove to Cape Cod from NC with this set up. It worked out great, much better than the kayak trailer I built. RHR Rack & tonneau cover combo

 

[Hipbilly]

Here's my problem.... I've got a 17' aluminum canoe, it rides wonderfully on my FJ Cruiser's flat roof rack, from even with the front bumper to sticking off the back just 2 or 3 feet.

I really want to figure out how to haul it with the gladiator, but I've got a soft top.... this is one of the taller aluminum racks I could find, and it still lets the bow (front end) of the boat hang low enough that it has to be forward of the windshield.

Those racks are only on like 4' centers and the forward bar is basically at the balance point of the boat, so its nowhere near stable enough like this... I took it on a short shake-down drive and it was loose within 10 minutes. I've got to figure out some sort of rigid support for the nose... I even bought some cowl light bar brackets, but they're not gonna be strong enough.

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