Kayak carrying?

[Vajra]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone out there, takes with them a kayak or two when out with their teardrop campers? Have you ever had any issues with anyone messing with them or damage from term outside storage? I have a 12.5' kayak, which I am not fond of lifting onto a rack, so my idea is for my large abnormal teardrop camper to house the kayak underneath the living area. Protecting it and keeping it from getting stolen. I know this sounds so odd, but it is also to reduce drag on the camper since I would like to make it a bit more tow friendly. - James

[buckisland1950]

I almost always carry a canoe when I camp with the TD. I have not had any issues with anyone messing with the canoe or any other camping equipment while camping. When storing the canoe I have a rack under a tree fort I built when my children were young so it is exposed but out of the direct sunlight. It's always prudent to use a cable to lock the boat to a tree or table while leaving it unattended for any length of time.

Franke

[Shadow Catcher]

We carry our canoe on top of the TV and have never had a problem, There is always that potential but paddles have our names and address (handy if you lose one). Our Mad River is 80# and yes it is getting heavy.

[lrrowe]

I have two kayaks to carry in my CT. One 10 footer and one 12 footer. I designed the CT so as to be able to carry them inside the trailer. When I am at a site I will probably just chain them to a tree with a heavy duty chain and lock and take my chances. I would suspect that my risks are low this way while inside a formal campground. For Boondoggling, I am not sure. When away, I could put them back inside the trailer or at night if the tree idea is not good, then they can go under the CT. I will take pictures for insurance purposes should that be an issue.

[b.bodemer]

I've carried up to 6 river boats and otherwise carry sit on tops.

It's easy to run a cable lock through the sit on top drain holes. I often run the cable around a tree if I'm leaving camp.

There is a small metal bar through most of the river boats to feed a cable. Honestly I have never locked our river boats.

Sea kayaks and old school river boats used to have a cable loop already installed. If you can install one you might feel better.




Here's the link:http://www.oakorchardcanoe.com/storage.php

I never have any boats locked to my roof rack while driving, just regular straps or ropes to secure them to my rack.

Barb

[lrrowe]

The beauty of Sit-on-Top kayaks is the built in drain holes. Chains and/or cables can be run thru them.
I agree with not locking them during transit. But should I have to leave them over night while mounted on the outside of the TV or trailer, then I think that locking them needs to be considered.

[Vajra]

Thank you all for your input! I have a Sundolpin Bali 12SS, sit on top. Love it! I like to go fishing and kayaking. My design for a camper is a bit odd, but when I look at all that I want to do while camping and what I need, my camper starts to look like a freak show. My truck already gets bad enough fuel mileage.. ..so I wanted to reduce the impact, and even a little more clean and areo-dynamic design helps. My design idea currently would have the kayak stored under the main camper part, with a access door and a few rollers to aid in and out. Loading would require just a lifting of the in going end to about 2 ft. Along with this area, would be storage for fishing poles and other gear. Not to mention, a pass through for the air conditioner. All would get fresh air, as well as locked up. End result would mean a cleaner outline. Can't we just have it all in a camper without it taking or costing to much? - James.

[rowerwet]

never had much attention paid to my kayaks, compared to my tear. For general use I like to have the yaks on the TV roof. Still regret the visit to Buzzards Bay MA looking longingly at the great beaches and many kayaks, but ours were back with the tear 45 min away...

[booyah]

never had much attention paid to my kayaks, compared to my tear. For general use I like to have the yaks on the TV roof. Still regret the visit to Buzzards Bay MA looking longingly at the great beaches and many kayaks, but ours were back with the tear 45 min away...

This is something to note. I carry my kayak rooftop on the TV that way if its a drive to the river/lake its already there, and if I do day trips away from the camper, I still have the yak.

Add in my yak is 17ft, and the camper is only 12

[Vajra]

LOL, I understand that feeling. I would just like to be able to when traveling or sleeping, know my kayak is safe. Traveling seems to be the biggest issue, and keeping it safe from thieves, as well as helping out with eliminating drag and of course, the 6 to 8 foot height of loading a kayak by myself. - James

[lrrowe]

never had much attention paid to my kayaks, compared to my tear. For general use I like to have the yaks on the TV roof. Still regret the visit to Buzzards Bay MA looking longingly at the great beaches and many kayaks, but ours were back with the tear 45 min away...

This is something to note. I carry my kayak rooftop on the TV that way if its a drive to the river/lake its already there, and if I do day trips away from the camper, I still have the yak.

Add in my yak is 17ft, and the camper is only 12

Yes that is definitely an issue. There is really no perfect answer so you end up doing what makes most sense at the time.

[rowerwet]

Using the mpg computer in my car I found better mpg with the boatsame on the car vs the tear. YMMV

[lrrowe]

Do you suppose it was because the kayaks on the car top acted to divert the wind from hitting the TD directly thereby creating less then normal drag?
Or do you think it was the kayaks acting like a drag while on the TD

[Vajra]

Yes, please do tell us what you are thinking. I am curious about this also...Interesting effects aerodynamics has on things. Ever read some aero-modders forums, pretty interesting stuff at times. -James

[wagondude]

Do you suppose it was because the kayaks on the car top acted to divert the wind from hitting the TD directly thereby creating less then normal drag?
Or do you think it was the kayaks acting like a drag while on the TD

Some of both, actually. The hull design, by its nature would want clean air at the front rather than the turbulance off of the TV.