kayaker1121
Wisconsin
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After 30 years of tent/truck camping we are thrilled to have just purchased our first motorhome - an Itasca Navion. But now we need to figure out where to put our 13 foot kayaks. Can't do a roof mount 'cause that voids the warranty. Anyone have any solutions/suggestions/innovative ideas? Would love to hear from other RVers with kayaks on tips and trips.
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In The Dawghouse
Round Lake IL US
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Joined: 10/22/2003
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Our kayaks are inflatable and we store them in a bay but I have seen a rack in another post on here a few months ago where someone fabricated a really nice kayak rack for the back of their motorhome or trailer. I believe it attached to the hitch.
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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Sounds like you need a toad to put Kayaks on. The toad will also help you get to launch sites. JM2Cents Bill
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kayaker1121
Wisconsin
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You can tell I'm a real Newbie -- what's a "toad"? My husband definitely doesn't want to pull anything, but we have thought about one of the "tray"-type cargo carriers that fit into the hitch. Perhaps this with some way to attach the kayaks vertically to the back of the RV?
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Let me start off by saying I am just a wannabe kayaker but I have thought about the carry issue.
I have seen kayaks mounted vertically on the back of motorhomes but a vertical 13' kayak is going to require a vertical clearance of probably 14.5 or 15 feet. That is too tall IMO.
I agree with Bill's suggestion about a toad (towed car). You are likely going to find that you need one anyway and the kayaks will mount nicely on the roof.
Finally, I would not completely dismiss the idea of a roof mount. I don't know the specifics of your warranty but frankly wouldn't worry about it. I am 100% confident that I could mount a rack on the roof in a way that is structurally sound and that will not cause water leaks.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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kayaker1121 wrote:You can tell I'm a real Newbie -- what's a "toad"? My husband definitely doesn't want to pull anything, but we have thought about one of the "tray"-type cargo carriers that fit into the hitch. Perhaps this with some way to attach the kayaks vertically to the back of the RV?
A TOAD is a "towed" car. If you decide to brink a car with you, it would easily hold the kayaks, which is probably what you were using before. Also, as someone said, it would allow you to get closer to launch points, as the RVs aren't exactly agile for getting into tight places.
Your thoughts about the hitch mounted tray has me thinking that you could probably have a good welding shop build you a custom rack that you mount into the receiver hitch on the back of your RV. It might just be a good enough idea, that you could Patent it, make millions from all the other kayakers, and afford to have your kayaks brought in by private helicopter to where you want to launch them!  OK, maybe not, but you still could probably come up with a nice rack to hold them. Depending on the length of them, you may have to place them vertically, as if the are more than 8' you can't lay them sideways or they will be extending past the side of the RV.
Just some thoughts. I know if we ever bring our canoe, it'll be on top of the TOAD.....nice and secure.
Good Luck,
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LandYacht2007
Tarpon Springs, FL
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We have 2008 Cambria. We tow them on trailer, which is the easiest (make sure the trailer can handle highway speed and at least 15" rims) or get a rack made by a welder to accommodate a horizontal mounting from corner to corner.
Good Luck
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10-10
Eastern California
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Joined: 02/20/2007
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Same situation.
Those that kayak know that there is no way to easily place 10-13 feet kayaks on a motorhome roof! Those things are heavy.
If you want them up there you almost have to install one of those hydraulic lifts that lower them over the side.
The only thing we have figured out is a smallish utility trailer.
We have also put them on the roof of our "toad" vehicle, which makes it easy to get them to the lake/bay. We don't have to drive the motorhome from the campsite just to launch the kayaks.
Good luck!
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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I think you'd maybe be best off buying a small utility trailer. You could get one with secure cabinets and top hatch and put the kayaks on rack attached to the top. You really don't need the Toad...I mean, that's why you bought the Navion, right? You rig is too high for a jury rigged fore/aft hitch set-up. The stability question would rule that out, I should think. But a trailer...mmm.....just think of the possibilities. Tent, chairs, lots of cool stuff. And it could be like...short eh...no weight at all, hardly.
Gary Haupt
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kayaker1121
Wisconsin
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Good ideas. I like the idea of a small utility trailer. Wouldn't weigh much and would provide room for other stuff like folding chairs. I guess we'll leave the boats at home for our initial voyage, which should be challenging enough. Reading some of the RV maintenance websites has kept me awake at night. I hope it's not as complicated as it sounds....we are not exactly the "MacGiver" types! Already getting interested in solar power for boondocking.
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