Canoe or kayak on FWC

[jha6av8r]

Then it's pretty much a two person job to take them on and off a camper.

I also use Yakima gunwale brackets and carry my sit-on-top upside down. Also installed Yakima Boatloaders to my crossbars. They slide out of the end of the tube to load the kayak or canoe. I load a 65# Wilderness 13' tandem by myself all the time. The gunwale brackets and Boatloaders extensions add little weight to the roof compared to other options.

 

[Piney]

Like the sound of those boat loaders, have to check those out. We're not getting any younger, or taller. GUNWALES, right.

 

[DesertDave]

I also use Yakima gunwale brackets and carry my sit-on-top upside down. Also installed Yakima Boatloaders to my crossbars. They slide out of the end of the tube to load the kayak or canoe. I load a 65# Wilderness 13' tandem by myself all the time. The gunwale brackets and Boatloaders extensions add little weight to the roof compared to other options.

What he said. The bars on the FWC are 78" so you can put a boatloader into each end of a single bar, if you load multiple boats and do it from each side, as I do. They also work great as a hanging spot for drysuits if you leave them extended when you raise up the camper - kinda a Beverly Hillbilly boater look going at camp.

 

[jha6av8r]

They also work great as a hanging spot for drysuits if you leave them extended when you raise up the camper - kinda a Beverly Hillbilly boater look going at camp.

This is brilliant! They could be used for support a tarp for shade also.

 

[camelracer]

What he said. The bars on the FWC are 78" so you can put a boatloader into each end of a single bar, if you load multiple boats and do it from each side, as I do. They also work great as a hanging spot for drysuits if you leave them extended when you raise up the camper - kinda a Beverly Hillbilly boater look going at camp.

I use the boatloader for hanging a solar shower.

 

[buckland]

Hello there 100acrehupalump,
The racks are made from ⅛" L stock ...I did use some white Ash wood as small blocks to raise the cross pieces so the tanks would be held in more securely. I use straps to hold them in. They come off in a few seconds when I need to raise roof.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Hello there 100acrehupalump,
The racks are made from ⅛" L stock ...I did use some white Ash wood as small blocks to raise the cross pieces so the tanks would be held in more securely. I use straps to hold them in. They come off in a few seconds when I need to raise roof.

Hello there buckland...Super cool mod. I just finished reading the thread about mounting Rotopax on the back side of the camper, by Kilroy. I like them on top. Its less intrusive on the roof. It's certainly Outta Sight!

 

[buckland]

I too wanted to mount on real wall but found that when I opened the wall, the vertical support (exterior wall step bracket) was just an inch and a half too far to one side... it would mean making a side plate to move it over to be centered and I thought it was not worth the time for one can. Also don't like to drill holes and mess with the frame if I can avoid it with a weight bearing piece. On some bumpy roads things happen.

 

[wi_hawk]

My kayak and gear is stored in the rear seat. Extended Cab, seat up or down. Course its just the 2 of us. It is an inflatable.
SeaEagle.com
Many models to choose from.

 

[jakejake]

How many sea kayaks (~17') can be placed on top of a FWC Grandby with the factory Yakima options? Or what is the better setup? What is the weight limit?

 

[Wallowa]

How many sea kayaks (~17') can be placed on top of a FWC Grandby with the factory Yakima options? Or what is the better setup? What is the weight limit?

You folks are a heck of lot stronger than I am..forget getting my two 17' sea kayaks [55lbs each] up on the Yak rollers and saddles on the Yak tracks...my problem would be lifting the top with that extra 110 lbs; even with the assist shocks fore and aft. No way and forget an internal jack.

Plus, the dual vents and 160w solar panel would be blocked. Add to that they [kayaks, towers and saddles] would need to be removed to get into my shop and the other day we passed under a leaning tree across a dirt track with only 2" clearance over our solar panel. Also adding weight higher on an off-road vehicle is not a good thing.

My take is that a FWC is not the correct platform for cargo carriers, fuel cells or boats on the roof.

If and when I need to haul my kayaks it will be on a trailer. Just my take and I could be wrong.

Phil

 

[Ronanmd1]

Wallowa - my thoughts as well. For years I tried to carry things up top. First a ski box, then kayaks. Never could really find a solution that allowed me to easily get the kayaks up there. Lots of huffing, puffing, straining etc. I tried all sorts of loaders and carriers - ultimately I just came to accept that I am a weak old man lol. I also never really appreciated that even minimal shading would essentially shut down my 1 x 95 W solar panel to minimal output. With a 2-way fridge, I was constantly running out of power when camped and relied heavily on my generator.

So, I opted for the trailer route. Took off the yakima cross bars and kayak saddles and installed 300W of solar up top (with no shading). Now I have plenty of power for the fridge (and beer). I gained a bit more room in the back of the truck, since I don't need to take a ladder or the generator as often and can still carry the bikes on a rack off the hitch if I don't need to take a ton of gear. Duffel bags in the back of the truck or camper replaces the space I lost by removing the ski box. For longer trips, or if I want to take my kayaks, raft, paddle boards etc, or if I just have more gear I want to bring - firewood, extra toys etc, I now just use the trailer.

Very happy with the choice and no regrets not having to struggle to load stuff on the roof (or lift it for that matter)

Cheers

Jason

 

[Advmoto18]

So, I opted for the trailer route.

Jason,
Which trailer are you using to tote your kayaks?
Thx!
Bill

 

[Ronanmd1]

Hey Bill - I have been using an old British military Sankey for the past year. However, I just bit the bullet and ordered up an Adventure Trailer (minus most of the camping gear and tent). That way I can lock up some of the gear and use the cross bars for the yaks, bikes etc.

Jason

 

[Wallowa]

Hey Bill - I have been using an old British military Sankey for the past year. However, I just bit the bullet and ordered up an Adventure Trailer (minus most of the camping gear and tent). That way I can lock up some of the gear and use the cross bars for the yaks, bikes etc.

Jason

Jason,

Please post pictures of your set-up on the new Adventure Trailer and list out the prices.

Thanks,

Phil

 

[Advmoto18]

Hey Bill - I have been using an old British military Sankey for the past year. However, I just bit the bullet and ordered up an Adventure Trailer (minus most of the camping gear and tent). That way I can lock up some of the gear and use the cross bars for the yaks, bikes etc.

Jason

Thx Jason!
Bill

 

[Ronanmd1]

Hey Phil - as soon as I pick it up. Scheduled pick up date is Sept 12th. Coordinating a road trip down to AZ from up here in Canada!

Jason

 

[Wallowa]

Thanks Jason...have a fun, safe trip to AZ.

Phil