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MN Mike
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  Quote MN Mike Replybullet Topic: kayaks on a hitch???
    Posted: 27 Oct 2016 at 8:56pm
Van question:

The adventure van we're looking at (95 chevy G20) is of the super-tall variety with a fiber-glass top, so putting boats up there is going to require some engineering up front and regular bouts of climbing and heavy lifting -- workable, but not ideal. I've seen rigs with racks that set kayaks vertically in the rear on a trailer hitch which seems like the way to go, but I'm not finding a simple "plug and play" hitch that looks like it would do the job. Anybody have some wisdom to share on the issue as far as what to buy and how to customize?

The van has a 2x2 hitch and a big steel plate behind the bumper (looked solid when I poked my head underneath in the evening's dark and drizzle), so there are solid attachment points. I'm curious to hear what others have done.
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fiddleyak
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  Quote fiddleyak Replybullet Posted: 27 Oct 2016 at 9:44pm
I asked this question on Boatertalk a few years ago and got some good responses (can't seem to get the search function to work). The issue with boats stacked vertically on a rack is that they will bounce side to side which will put a lot of strain on the trailer hitch.

My solution has been to stack boats vertically on a hitch rack and then also tie them to the back of the vehicle. I bolted in anchor points on the vehicle as well as a horizontal bar.

Here's the hitch rack I use: http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-deluxe-cargo-carrier-66983.html
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huckin harms
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  Quote huckin harms Replybullet Posted: 28 Oct 2016 at 7:43am
Here's another idea, albeit a much more spendy one:

https://www.sylvansport.com/go-easy/
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thad2000
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  Quote thad2000 Replybullet Posted: 29 Oct 2016 at 3:46pm
Not just a hitch, but a trailer, I can leave my gear stored, hook up and go... It's an ongoing process. My first one was too heavy, as far as I can tell it doesn't drag down my gas mileage by more than a mile or two per gallon.

so far I haven't really tracked a drop in mpg. It's very light.



Edited by thad2000 - 29 Oct 2016 at 3:52pm
why not!
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knarfks
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  Quote knarfks Replybullet Posted: 29 Oct 2016 at 5:08pm
Trailer

If I had a place to store it I would do a DIY trailer. For $279 you can't go wrong. Craigslist a waterproof/lockable trailer box, $75 in lumber and you have an amazing kayak trailer.

Edited by knarfks - 29 Oct 2016 at 5:09pm
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chipmaney
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  Quote chipmaney Replybullet Posted: 30 Oct 2016 at 6:59pm
like hacking harms said, something like this is what i have seen people use, particularly for vans

http://eastblu.info/kayak/rv-kayak-rack.html
sitting all alone on a mountain by a river that has no end
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