I should have listened - C-TUG kayak cart

[Koz]

A few months ago when I purchased my kayak I posted here on BR asking what type of kayak cart I should get. Some suggested a homemade cart, while others suggested the C-TUG.

 

I chose my own path.

 

That was a mistake.

 

I bought a so called "universal" kayak carrier for about half the cost of a C-Tug so I could save a few bucks. Well, this narrow universal cart left my 12' 3", pontoon hull, 100+ pound Seastream Angler 120 PD wobbling all over the place despite my best attempts to steady it with pool noodles or rolled up towels. It tipped over more than once going up a and down a steep, winding sidewalk from my hotel to the water.

 

I got tired of fighting it and bought the C-Tug. Holy Cow, what a difference! Not only was it easy to strap the kayak down, but it also made it a breeze to move. Despite hauling the same kayak and gear, it made the kayak feel lighter when pulling it around, especially up the hill.

 

I'm sure my universal cart would have worked fine on a smaller, standard hull kayak. But if you have a larger kayak or just don't want to take the chance that the universal cart is not so universal, DON'T do what I did and ignore the advice of other folks on BR. Buy the dang C-Tug first and don't mess with the other carts.

 

Lesson learned.

[Bluebasser86]

I have a C-Tug. I modified mine so it now has a ratchet strap instead of the strap that comes with it for an even more secure fit. 

 

I had one of the universal ones from Academy with my last kayak. I tried to use it once but spent more time fighting to keep my kayak on the cart than actually moving towards the water. It got retired to the garage until somehow one of the wheels got broke off of it. 

[GTN-NY]

Yep did the same thing except I did the diy carts. Built 3. First two broke. Third on I built using 1.5” pvc. It creaks and groans but didn’t break but I know it would have some day. It’s in storage. I wasted more than half the money a Ctug costs. Live and learn I guess. 
I replaced the stock strap with a better quality cinch strap. It holds better

[Bankc]

I'm glad to hear that one worked for you.  A kayak cart that doesn't hold the kayak secure is almost as bad as no cart at all.  

[Krux5506]

I bought a C-Tug from ecofishing for $75, they matched the price from some other sketchy discount website....surprisingly. Haven't used it yet but snapped it together and tested it out in my yard, seems like a great little cart. 

[clayton86]

I’ve got both the C-tug and the wilderness systems cart. Both work awesome I like the wildy one better it is kind of a hassle some times getting the kayak on it but not terrible it’s usually from me not lifting it high enough and knocking one of the arms so it turns. The c tug is lower so a little easier to get set up on but being lower it struggles going on some terrain I launch at. 

[GTN-NY]

One thing about the Ctug is the kickstand sucks. It will loosen up and fall over when you need it and you need tools to tighten it up. 
so I took the stock bolt/nut out and replaced it with a longer bolt and a wingnut. Now I can tighten when needed easier

[Koz]

7 hours ago, GTN-NY said:

One thing about the Ctug is the kickstand sucks. It will loosen up and fall over when you need it and you need tools to tighten it up. 
so I took the stock bolt/nut out and replaced it with a longer bolt and a wingnut. Now I can tighten when needed easier

I agreed with that when I first tried the C-Tug, but after thinking about it I know why it's that way.

 

The kickstand was designed to support the weight of the C-Tug only and keep it in the upright position until the unit bears the weight of the kayak and then the kickstand collapses. This is done so it doesn't get snagged and snap off.

 

Of course, if you don't seat the kayak properly the unit either goes cockeyed or tips over, and that's when our first thought probably goes to, "Why doesn't the kick stand support this thing so it doesn't tip over?"

 

Again, it's just to put the cart into the correct position until it bears the load, that way the kickstand won't get snapped off.

[J Francho]

[flyfisher]

I have a c-tug and upgraded to the wildy cart and my only complaint is it is large to store.  Other than that it is money and I have zero complaints.  I used to think the C-tug was the best and it was......until I changed lol. Both are solid though.  The Ctug was always a pain to get in the perfect spot on my ATAK but after I put some pool noodles reinforced with some 1/2' PVC inside on the pad sections, it did make it much easier to load.

[GTN-NY]

2 hours ago, Koz said:

I agreed with that when I first tried the C-Tug, but after thinking about it I know why it's that way.

 

The kickstand was designed to support the weight of the C-Tug only and keep it in the upright position until the unit bears the weight of the kayak and then the kickstand collapses. This is done so it doesn't get snagged and snap off.

 

Of course, if you don't seat the kayak properly the unit either goes cockeyed or tips over, and that's when our first thought probably goes to, "Why doesn't the kick stand support this thing so it doesn't tip over?"

 

Again, it's just to put the cart into the correct position until it bears the load, that way the kickstand won't get snapped off.

Yeah I get that but my kickstand would loosen up where it wouldn’t hold up to ctug

[J Francho]

4 minutes ago, GTN-NY said:

Yeah I get that but my kickstand would loosen up where it wouldn’t hold up to ctug

Put some thread lock blue on the threads and be done with it. 

[GTN-NY]

45 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Put some thread lock blue on the threads and be done with it. 

You would think it wouldn’t loosen when it has a nyloc nut on it