37 replies to this topic

[100acrehuphalump]

Who travels with a kayak or canoe on top of your FWC? Does it kill your mileage? I'm ordering the Hawk with the aluminum racks because they look shorter than the Yakima system and because I'll be able to mount my solar panel easier and install a outdoor shower stall based on something I saw someone else do with theirs. Besides that do you think it'd be better to haul a canoe or kayak(s) on an small trailer or on top of the FWC? I could redesign my M416 to carry a boat(s) more gear etc., but it seems like overkill and I worry about getting to places that don't allow trailers in the backcountry. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Tomas Tierra]

100 AHP,

I carry a Malibu two xl on my roof and it definately affects my mileage.. Can't tell you exactly how much, but it is something to consider..
Also, with the stock fwc rack, be careful mounting in the middle of the span... I have bent a set of the stock racks with my kayak.. Mounting over the "tower" could save you from this..

TT

[Lighthawk]

A number of folks carry either canoe or kayaks on their campers here.  We use the Yakima system (rear Hully-roller, front Mako saddles).    Our kayaks are 12' long and weigh ~50#.   I can load one by myself, but with two people it's a lot easier.  We have a small set of ladder steps for both access to camper and essential for roof loading of boats.

 

Mileage?  It's worse, but why focus on that?

If I was going to do several thousand miles to Baja and back I would look inflatibles to reduce our exposure to wind.

[Stalking Light]

How is it raising and lowering with the kayak on, or do you take it off at night? I recently got the hully roller / saddle setup and have a Wilderness Systyem's Ride which is about 70# but it hasn't been warm enough to try things out.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

How is it raising and lowering with the kayak on, or do you take it off at night? I recently got the hully roller / saddle setup and have a Wilderness Systyem's Ride which is about 70# but it hasn't been warm enough to try things out.

Charlie,

 

It's definitely heavier and more awkward!   Use the speaker crank lift if needed.

 

Steve

[craig333]

Its not bad with a light kayak, you do know its there though. I haven't really noticed much difference in mileage. 

[100acrehuphalump]

This is my current setup which will change when I get my Hawk

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[Ronanmd1]

I have a similar set up...Hully rollers and saddle for the yak.  I have a Jackson Kilroy.  About 12' long and 60 lbs.  I load to one one side. The other side carries a ski box loaded with lighter but awkward stuff - life jackets, paddles, fishing rods, waders and boots , yak wheels etc.  I use the speaker stand for both rear and front.  Takes me just a few minutes to lift up the top and is much easier on my back than trying to heave it alone.  I carry a small stepladder in the rear of the truck to access the roof, load the yak etc.   Don't really notice much of an effect on the mileage.

 

Jason

Edited by Ronanmd1, 05 January 2015 - 01:38 AM.

[DesertDave]

Mileage affect is probably a factor of how much an increase in your frontal area the kayaks represent, and how taxed your vehicle is before you load the boat.  On my Kia car kayaks reduce the mileage 8-12%, on my F350 6.0L with FWC the affect is negligible.

 

I used a trailer with my prior camper because I couldn't load boat onto the camper.  A trailer is a pain most times.  I've carried kayaks more times on my FWC in six months than I did in seven years with the trailer.

[takesiteasy]

We carry an aluminum canoe regularly on the Yakima rack. It weighs about 60 lbs. I haven't paid attention to the mileage impact- it is what it is, not huge. I imagine it depends a lot on the wind. I usually remove it from the rack before popping the top but with the lift struts it is not that hard to lift it up. With the top down, I can put it on the roof myself from the side using a step stool that we carry. One thing to keep in mind is clearance over the roof vents. It works with the Yakima rack. I don't know about the aluminum rack.