j.frank
montgomery, alabama, usa
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Joined: 08/14/2002
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Thanks to all. Now, another question: best way to transport 'yaks--flat or on side? Also best or easiest racks to load and off load? This last question is the most important.
bamaman
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KHJPHOTO
San Luis Obispo, CA & Lancaster, PA
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Joined: 11/21/2004
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Take a look at www.rvraxx.com. If that does not work for you the easiest is
a trailer. Also, trailer will not reduce MPG since it is in the slip stream.
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j.frank
montgomery, alabama, usa
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Joined: 08/14/2002
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Unfortunately, a rack on the back of our Airstream won't work as our 'yaks are 14 footers. They must go on top of my crew cab truck and fiberglas camper shell. Otherwise I can see a low bridge taking off the noses of our 'yaks.
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billtex
RI
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Joined: 07/20/2004
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j.frank wrote:Unfortunately, a rack on the back of our Airstream won't work as our 'yaks are 14 footers. They must go on top of my crew cab truck and fiberglas camper shell. Otherwise I can see a low bridge taking off the noses of our 'yaks.
Hi Frank, we carry up to 3 boats on top of our CC truck (2 14' yaks and porta-bote) using Thule racks.
You need to visit the rest of the Streamers here;
http://www.airforums.com/forums/
Bill
2006 D/A CC
25'Airstream Excella
Adventurer 810WS
Camping all around New England
Good People Drink Good Beer-Hunter S Thompson
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CKAYAKER
Houston TX USA
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Joined: 10/28/2004
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Another sugestion: Try the The Rack Warehouse (www.rackwarehouse.com). It will give you some ideas and you can buy from them or find it locally or my favorite spot on Craigslist and where you can get a used for substantially less dollars.
Another good spot is to contact your local kayak/canoe club as usually their members have garage sales on line or in their newletters and again, you may be able to pick up what you need on the cheap. (www.luv2paddle.com)
Hope this helps.
CKAYAKER
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CKAYAKER
Houston TX USA
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Joined: 10/28/2004
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After I reread your email, you may want to check out the Maine Roller or the Yakima Showboat Slide Out Loader or the Thule Hydro-glide or the Thule Hullavator (it sure looks easy) type.
If you load from the side, I prefer the J saddles. The kayak won't care, but you may find one style easier than another.
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jshul
Belmont, CA
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Joined: 04/15/2003
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Determining if you rack the kayaks on their side or on their bottom largely is influenced by the material of which the kayak is made. Many polyethelene or "plastic" boats will distort if left in the heat riding on their bottom. I had an old town that would "sag" 4 inches at the bow and stern when left on truck's top. Fiberglass/composite kayaks don't seem to have this problem....I use combo yakima/thule system.
2002 Holiday Rambler Presidential 30'
2005 GMC 2500 Sierra Duramax/Allison
Crew Cab/Short bed/4x4
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Pete D
Washington
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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I carry my poly kayak upside down in part because of the deformation and also because I am waaaay too frugal to buy a cockpit cover!
One thing I noticed is that if the boat is upside down, people will refer to it as a canoe....
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
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