XF15-Loader Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 This weekend I picked up a Big Rig some 400 miles from my house. I hauled it home on my Malone MicroSport on j-hooks. It rode pretty well but I wasnt exactly comfortable with the idea of that big boat sitting in j-hooks at 70-80 mph. I'm now considering options for laying the kayak flat. I know Malone makes a wing or something but what other options are out there for a boat of that size? Thanks, -J Quote
CountryboyinDC Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 That's a big boat. When I car top my fishing kayaks, I use the Yakima Big Catch saddles. They're not cheap (I think I paid $170 during that sale REI always runs in the spring), but they have enough surface area that they don't cut (or the kayak melts, when it's hot) into the kayak hull. If it's a purpose-built kayak trailer, a carpet bunk system may be the way to go. I've seen some of them and they're nice. If Malone doesn't make one, I'll bet something for a jet ski could be adapted. Quote
XF15-Loader Posted February 9, 2021 Author Posted February 9, 2021 Liking the bunk system idea!! Thanks. Quote
diehardbassfishing Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 Yakima EasyRider Trailer Karl Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 9, 2021 Global Moderator Posted February 9, 2021 1 hour ago, CountryboyinDC said: That's a big boat. When I car top my fishing kayaks, I use the Yakima Big Catch saddles. They're not cheap (I think I paid $170 during that sale REI always runs in the spring), but they have enough surface area that they don't cut (or the kayak melts, when it's hot) into the kayak hull. If it's a purpose-built kayak trailer, a carpet bunk system may be the way to go. I've seen some of them and they're nice. If Malone doesn't make one, I'll bet something for a jet ski could be adapted. My buddy bought a used jetski trailer and easily converted it to hold his yak Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 9, 2021 Super User Posted February 9, 2021 1 hour ago, XF15-Loader said: Liking the bunk system idea!! Thanks. 4 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: My buddy bought a used jetski trailer and easily converted it to hold his yak Big Yak like that - I'd go trailer. For my 14' canoe, bought a PWC trailer and did some mods, including HDPE slides over the bunks. 1 Quote
XF15-Loader Posted February 9, 2021 Author Posted February 9, 2021 I've got a trailer covered. I'm just looking to get away from the j-hooks. I've looked at the Malone wing, really like the bunk idea, and was wondering if there was anything else I should consider. -J Quote
GTN-NY Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 I have a Big Rig and a Liska that I’ve rebuilt trailers for. 1st trailer was a jet ski trailer. Easy to do with carpeted bunk boards or 3” electrical pvc conduit. I wanted a utility trailer also but didn’t want two trailers in my driveway so I found a Karavan utility trailer that has sides that fold down. I wanted the kayak to sit as low as possible because the Big Rig is 90lbs empty. I built a rack that with 4 bolts mounts to the trailer. 1 Quote
michaelb Posted February 10, 2021 Posted February 10, 2021 You have a nice kayak trailer, so you are set with that. I want one of those. I have a converted utility trailer but the suspension is very bouncy; I use yakima round bars, and I have the malone kayak seawing mounted on those. Are you only carrying one kayak, so you can mount it on the center of the trailer? The malone wing is nice and substantial, but the surface is 6" wide and is tacky with a thin pad. That means it sticks slightly when dragging a heavy plastic kayak from the back up on to the top of the rack on the trailer. It may be very hard to do that from the side (I climb up on my trailer and drag it that way). The roller systems would make this much easier, and they come in two pieces so you can adjust the width. Dragging up on bunks would also be easier (malone sells bunks for its trailers). The total width of the wings, so around 25", is not nearly enough to reach the edge of our fat fishing kayaks. So the slots for the straps are under the boat and can be tricky to reach to thread through. If centered on the rack, you may want to strap to the bars, so that if the rack failed the boat would still be strapped down. Plus, I use bow and stern tie downs even on the trailer to ensure I don't lose the boat. 1 Quote
XF15-Loader Posted February 10, 2021 Author Posted February 10, 2021 @michaelb , ideally I'd like to be able to lay the Jackson flat and still haul my Vibe in the j-hooks. I do like the idea of the bunks but everywhere I look they're sold out. I wouldn't be opposed to making my own but I'm at a loss at how to get the angles right or what kind of hardware I'd use. I also like the idea of a Thule DockGlide but OMG, are they expensive! Yakima also has some solid racks but again, expensive and most of them have an 80# load limit. I think, in the end I'll be getting some bunks. I like the look, functionality and simplicity. If the carpet goes bad, replace it. If the wood rots, replace it. I really cant think of a downside to using the bunk system. -J Quote
michaelb Posted February 10, 2021 Posted February 10, 2021 etrailer has the malone bunk kit? https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Malone/MPG561.html Quote
XF15-Loader Posted February 10, 2021 Author Posted February 10, 2021 I think I'm going to take a shot at building some. Doesnt look THAT difficult and will definitely be less than $170! -J Quote
GTN-NY Posted February 11, 2021 Posted February 11, 2021 If you’re on Facebook there is a group called Kayak Trailer Mods lots of good info there on building trailers 1 Quote
Ratherbefishing75 Posted April 3, 2021 Posted April 3, 2021 Modified John boat trailer this year I extended the bunks to the full Length of the canoe pictures to come Quote
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