Anyone here haul a kayak on top of the Jeep? I'm definitely gonna need the ability to haul a 12' kayak for my fishing obsession.
Kayaks on the Jeep
- Thread starter Oldskool
- Start date
I was just googling it and came across of a couple different racks that would work and don't look too bad. May end up going that route.
The only issue with racks is that some require drilling into the body. Not a fan. There a few that utilize the body hinges. Interesting to see what others come up with.
I used to strap 2 canoes to the top of my CJs when going camping. Used those fome bloks and ratchet straps. Ran a line front and rear too. Managed to stuff most of the gear up inside the canoes held up using the paddles. The whole system worked really well. If bad weather I would jus put the bikini top on and suck it up. Cold rain really sucked though.
Yakima has a great system for TJs. Landing Pads, Towers, Cross Bars plus whatever carrier you need. The Towers and Bars detach in under a minute. The TJ roof tapers so to have level bars, front/rear, the rear pads need to be mounted about 4" closer together than the front pads. I obviously figured that out after drilling the holes.
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Yeah I'm not a fan of drilling into the body either. Most of the ones I've looked at appear to mount to the door hinges. I could deal with that.
afitzray97
TJ Enthusiast
I bought a used trailer for $300 and keep some “crossbars” (that are really just cheap sections of standard metal pipe) stowed in the garage that I mount to the side rails when I’m hauling the longer touring kayaks like you’re describing. With the jeep being so small it’s been a huge help to have a trailer for hauling stuff, kayaks included. But I guess that only works if you have a yard or an easy spot to store the trailer. Not sure if you might be in an apartment/condo.
I use a windshield hinge mounted light bar as a forward mount, and a goalpost rack mounted in the receiver hitch for my 11ft tandem.
When I carry 2 singles, I mount one on the forward rack with the back resting on some towels on the sound bar. I put the second in the back with the seat removed. Ratchet straps hold everything in place. It seems to work pretty well.
When I carry 2 singles, I mount one on the forward rack with the back resting on some towels on the sound bar. I put the second in the back with the seat removed. Ratchet straps hold everything in place. It seems to work pretty well.
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A 12' Trident fits well on my TJ with the foam blocks that strap to the kayak. I've done it by myself before, but it's real nice to have a friend. One rests on the windshield frame, one on the speaker bar. Tie off front and back, rock solid.
We like to hit some of the remote(r) mountain lakes up here, and the roads are anything but straight and level. Never had an issue with the yak... no pics of me loaded up, but here are some pics of Lake Moomaw just because I haven't been in a couple months and miss it.
We like to hit some of the remote(r) mountain lakes up here, and the roads are anything but straight and level. Never had an issue with the yak... no pics of me loaded up, but here are some pics of Lake Moomaw just because I haven't been in a couple months and miss it.
I've got three different trailers but certainly don't want to have to haul my fishing kayaks on a trailer down some of the gnarly trails I go on. That's why I'm wanting to roof rack them. I use to haul a 16' canoe on top of my cherokee so I'd think a 12' Bonafide ss127 kayak would manage on top of a wrangler.
I'd say thanks, but then it would look like I made it 
...
Yes it is. Probably in my top 10 of just oh my. I've seen 119' on the depth finder, and old timers say there are 200' deep pockets in places. Amazing place, makes me appreciate breathing the air. The middle of the this little inlet is 35' deep behind me, you can see the color change.
...Yes it is. Probably in my top 10 of just oh my. I've seen 119' on the depth finder, and old timers say there are 200' deep pockets in places. Amazing place, makes me appreciate breathing the air. The middle of the this little inlet is 35' deep behind me, you can see the color change.
Curious. Why is everyone switching from canoes to kayaks? Where does the puppy sit while you are out? Where does the significant other sit? I don't see any advantages to a kayak. Minimal room for a tent and gear to go out across the lake for a few day with. I'm obviously missing something that makes the kayak the new goto small craft.
No dog, significant other has her own. Lightweight, agile, great when the water is rough.
Hate lakes and only kayak rivers.
We've hauled kayaks in all kinds of ways. On top, works well with the foam as mentioned. I do have a rack, but I've even shoved one in the back of the TJ and let it hang out the window (may have had the soft top on at that moment). Trailers work, trucks work, etc. We picked up some used Yakima stuff for the car, since rivers require 2 vehicles, unless you like the long run back to pick up the other vehicle.
I've been wanting to fish from the kayak and maybe duck hunt. I guess now I just need to learn how to do both.
Btw, canoes around here tend to be bigger, heavier and more expensive. Used kayaks are everywhere for cheap, but we were suckers and bought new on a whim one winter.
I've been wanting to fish from the kayak and maybe duck hunt. I guess now I just need to learn how to do both.
Btw, canoes around here tend to be bigger, heavier and more expensive. Used kayaks are everywhere for cheap, but we were suckers and bought new on a whim one winter.
Go rent a nice kayak for a day and you'll have all the answers you need. I spent a lot of time in a canoe and now could never go back to one. The kayak is just so nimble and way more comfortable than a canoe could ever think of being. Plus it's so easy to stand and fish in a yak. But they're not cheap. A quality kayak starts at around $1000 and can go up as high as $6500. You have several different combinations of power as well, from paddle power, peddle power, trolling motors, remote control torpedo motors that fit on the rudder. The mods to these are just endless. One of these days I'll pick up a Hobie to use only at the lakes I I fish but for now the Bonafide SS127 is perfect for the lake, as well as the creek and river small mouths I frequently go after.
My wife and I take the kids kayaking regularly and will often do 10-15 mile day trips down rivers. It's an absolute blast!
I've hauled my Sunfish, at 14' and just over 130 lbs, quite a bit, on my old YJ. I originally cut a couple of 2x6s to act as bunks, resting on the roll bar rear hoop and a M.O.R.E front hoop. They could only be used with the top down. Later I added a Congo Cage with crossbars. Used a pool noodle for cushion, cargo straps front and rear.
Loading and unloading without help was exciting, but not impossible. I'm a tall guy, though, so ymmv.
Mike
Loading and unloading without help was exciting, but not impossible. I'm a tall guy, though, so ymmv.
Mike
Bad sciatic. Wouldn't last 30 sec in a kayak, let alone wiggling into one. My 14' canoe weighs under 65lbs. And I couldn't dream of paddling off without my pup with me. I had always heard the kayak was much more unstable, but just saw some Hobi(sp?) Fishing show on the tv. I get it. Never knew you could do more than hunt seals in the icebergs with them.
I've got sciatica so bad that for 3 months I was forced to lay on my stomach only, ate meals on my knees because I couldn't even sit. I'm slowly getting better and have back surgery scheduled in 3 weeks. But even through this, I still kayaked.
You should take a look at a Kaku wahoo, or Zulu if you like taking your dog with you, the wide open cockpit offers plenty of room. The seat on those are amazing too. Just Google kaku kayaks
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