Attaching Kayaks to a Grandby

[mtnras]

looking for creative ideas on how to attach whitewater kayaks to my grandby. i have the factory racks installed and would love to spare the expense of the yakima/thule racks. have a hitch mounted bike rack that i've thought about modifying...

ideas or pictures are appreciated!

mark

 

[chnlisle]

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=844

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

Here are a few sample pictures.

Do you have the Aluminum (Boat / Luggage) Roof Racks that we make here at FWC ?

I think you can buy Yakima or Thule attachments and they will actually clamp to the square aluminum tubing.

(example: hully rollers or kayak saddles)

Or you could just wrap a piece of black foam pipe insulation around the FWC aluminum roof rack tube and strap them down that way.

Hope this helps.




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[mtnras]

thanks for the pics. unfortunately our whitewater kayaks are not long enough to span the distance between the two factory racks w/o sitting on the roof directly (probably not a good idea). will likely have to install another row of rack between the two factory racks.

m

 

[Ted]

I recall someone mounting them crosswise over the cab of their truck in front of the camper. That would probably require you have a standard overhead extension on the camper and a double cab truck to have room for that. Not sure what your set-up is but since white water kayaks are so short, that may be an option.

 

[Bdold]

I purchased a hitch hauler. My Diesel 75 fits on it and the door opens. My play boat fits on the luggage rack sideways. I had FWC put 2 extra racks on top but, I find getting the boats up there to be pain.

 

[mtnras]

I purchased a hitch hauler. My Diesel 75 fits on it and the door opens. My play boat fits on the luggage rack sideways. I had FWC put 2 extra racks on top but, I find getting the boats up there to be pain.


will have to look at these hitch haulers... was thinking of trying to mount it to my bike hitch hauler but looked kinda shady. would love to see a pic of the hauler w/ and w/o the kayaks if you could? think you could get two boats on the hitch hauler?

thanks,

mark

 

[RobNE]

looking for creative ideas on how to attach whitewater kayaks to my grandby. i have the factory racks installed and would love to spare the expense of the yakima/thule racks. have a hitch mounted bike rack that i've thought about modifying...

ideas or pictures are appreciated!

mark


I hate the idea of putting stuff on my roof (...i've reserved the rear hitch for my camper entry point/step so thats out), but its hard to imagine a better place. I have a wheel step and it makes taking my whitewater boats on/off the roof much easier (and it was cheap). Two boats on the roof and it gets hard to lift though. I have Yakima bars/tracks, btw.

I've thought of putting bars/braces on the "side" of the camper, but wonder what it would be like losing an extra 1ft or so of visibility? I made a hitch for the front of my truck with the intent of having extra space for the shuttle, but doubt it would be practical for carrying boats over longer distances (its high mounted so air flow, etc).

interested to hear if you get any good suggestions.

Rob

 

[bike4mee]

Try yakama side mounts. There is a lot of aluminum to drill into around the entire rim.

 

[larboy]

Try yakama side mounts. There is a lot of aluminum to drill into around the entire rim.


I'm trying to find out how to fork mount bikes on the back like you have pictured. Can you provide me with details? How do you attach the fork mount? How is the rear wheel supported and attached? Does this method cause strain on the headset or fork?

Thanks

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

here are some pics . . .


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I'm trying to find out how to fork mount bikes on the back like you have pictured. Can you provide me with details? How do you attach the fork mount? How is the rear wheel supported and attached?

 

[MakersTeleMark]

I'm trying to find out how to fork mount bikes on the back like you have pictured. Can you provide me with details? How do you attach the fork mount? How is the rear wheel supported and attached? Does this method cause strain on the headset or fork?

Thanks


My local bike shop had a partial rack that I bought for $20. I suggest putting the QR on the bottom, not the top for a couple reasons. I put mine on my truck bumper. The weight of the bike is borne by the bumper, not the camper - much more sturdy. The camper just has to keep that rear wheel from swinging down, which is nothing. Also, with the QR on the bottom, all I do is flip my bike upside down on its seat on the ground, pick up the fork a few inches to get it in the QR, then pivot the bike up. Super easy. I don't have a great picture, but you can see the general idea below.

I wouldn't want to have to lift the bike, jump on the bumper with it, and then hoist it to almost the top of the camper. What a PITA.

I just cut down a roof rack tire rail and used a cam strap for the rear. You can see the QR mounted to the left of my shackle as well.

 

[MakersTeleMark]

Another pic.

 

[Bdold]

Kayak on hitch hauler.

 

[bike4mee]

Try the factory yakima truck mounts. They will mount on the upper rim area under the pop-up roof. Add a larger metal plate on the inside for additional strength. The frig one in tough but can be done. Remove a screw from the corner of the box and add a river cam strap to hold the rear tire. You can get locking skewers.

 

[Lighthawk]

"I wouldn't want to have to lift the bike, jump on the bumper with it, and then hoist it to almost the top of the camper. What a PITA."

I hear you. We're taking bikes out for the first time for a quick run to Yosemite. I don't have time to customize, but do have two garage sale bike racks that attach to the factory racks that came with my camper. We're using a six foot aluminum ladder to pull it off, and it's do-able. A bit heavy to lift, but the lifters definitely make it possible. On the plus side, they are out of the way when they are up there. And nobody is going to steal them from up there either. Just need to remember, NO CARWASHES OR LOW BRIDGES

When I get back I will research mounting some bike-tights to either the FWC or my Toyota bumper. I would like to see a better close up of two bikes mounted that way.

 

[bike4mee]

I try to avoid mounting a lot on the top of the camper. It's tough to pop up, high profile in windy conditions, hard to get up there, Tends to get a lot of rocker in four wheeling conditions. Keep the load low if you go in rough conditions.