Options for Transporting a Kayak on 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 That Tows a Travel Trailer
Updated 10/06/2016 | Published 10/05/2016
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Question:
I have 2015 Chev Silverado double cab with undercover flex bed cover and I pull a 17ft bumper pull travel trailer. I need to know best option for transporting 12foot kayak? Will be loading by myself usually!
asked by: Sharon
Expert Reply:
Since your pickup is towing a travel trailer your best option for transporting a single 12-foot kayak on any long trip will be to use a roof-rack-mounted kayak carrier such as a J-style unit like the Yakima JayLow # Y04073 on an aftermarket roof rack installed on your cab.
The JayLow offers side loading, which will be useful on your pickup, and it can handle a single kayak up to 80-lbs, or two kayaks up to 55-lbs each when used in its vertical mode. This carrier will fit on almost all roof rack bar types. All J-style kayak carriers are shown on the linked page.
Roof racks to fit your double cab, shown on the other link, include the Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero bar rack made of parts # RRVA150B-2, # RRRLKVA and # DK377. This rack's 59-inch aero-style bars will be quieter than other shapes and it provides a healthy 165-lb weight rating on your truck. The JayLow carrier will fit well on these bars.
If you are travelling only very short distances and/or only at back road speeds there is a very low-cost solution but it is not suitable for long cross-country trips on the interstates. Foam block carriers like # MPG152 and the others shown on the linked page require no roof rack at all, are lightweight and inexpensive. They mount right on the cab roof and include tie-down straps for the kayak. Do not use one of these if you'll be doing a steady 75-mph on the interstate for hundreds and hundreds of miles.
The linked article on watersport carriers will help you consider the best option for your circumstances.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Thule TracRac TracONE Ladder Rack w/ Cantilever - Fixed Mount - 800 lbs - Silver
- Ladder Racks
- Truck Bed
- Fixed Rack
- Ladders and Materials
- Not Tonneau Compatible
- Over-Cab Height
- 800 lbs
- Over the Cab
- No Drilling Required
- Thule
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