Mounting Kayaks on an AT Chaser

[DavidEllzey]

Sweet set up! I'm still working on a way to my our double kayak off the roof of the Alaskan and this has me thinking again.

Speaking of folding kayaks have you considered a folding tandem?

I personally love both the Klepper and Long Haul tandems and am looking forward to ordering a Long Haul Mark II Expedition this winter.

Dave

[DavidEllzey]

One question.
Where do you put your mountain bikes?
Curtis

Now your talking! Unfortunately, having the dog ruled out bikes. He goes where we go and mtn bikes would just have us waiting on the downhills then treating worn out, bloody paws. Trust me though, the trade off is worth it.

If you were determined, I bet there enough room in the back, under the kayaks to do something.

Dave

[TheGillz]

I have never used a kayak, but with all the talk about them on this site, i'm wanting to check it out!

[rickc]

Hi David:

A great looking and very practical mod. How much flex is there with the front mount on the tent. I would guess very little.

I have an old, bright orange cotton vest that I loop over a rudder to dangle down/wave about behind a kayak when it's up top. I'm a little paranoid about someone driving too close when parked/waiting at a light.

Carlyle: my double's 22' long. Towing it behind me is not an option as it would stick out too far behind a trailer to still get full articulation. I use Hulley rollers right at the very back of my roofrack to help guide and move the thing up onto the roof. Easier when the boat is wet!

[DavidEllzey]

Hi David:

A great looking and very practical mod. How much flex is there with the front mount on the tent. I would guess very little.

I have an old, bright orange cotton vest that I loop over a rudder to dangle down/wave about behind a kayak when it's up top. I'm a little paranoid about someone driving too close when parked/waiting at a light.

Carlyle: my double's 22' long. Towing it behind me is not an option as it would stick out too far behind a trailer to still get full articulation. I use Hulley rollers right at the very back of my roofrack to help guide and move the thing up onto the roof. Easier when the boat is wet!

No flex that I could discern visually. The 3" strap is taunt enough that nothing seems to give. Actually one of my worries is me over cranking that huge ratchet and crushing the tent. The strap is quite capable of doing that and the ratchet has so much leverage it would be too easy.

You could tow your 22' tandem with a Rack and Roll trailer and optional tongue extension. Very sweet little trailers if you don't need serious off road performance or much load carrying capability.

Dave

[elcoyote]

Dave,
It looks great man! Very creative. Almost like a surfboard strap put way better. Are you resting the aluminum tube directly on the EA cover? If so, you might consider adhering a 1/8" thick layer of dense neoprene foam to the bottom of the tube to prevent chaffing on the EA cover.

[DavidEllzey]

Dave,
It looks great man! Very creative. Almost like a surfboard strap put way better. Are you resting the aluminum tube directly on the EA cover? If so, you might consider adhering a 1/8" thick layer of dense neoprene foam to the bottom of the tube to prevent chaffing on the EA cover.

Mario,

Currently yes, the aluminum is directly on the cover. I thought about using neoprene (I even have some) but my experience with it has led me to believe it would wear out quickly. The new idea is to rivet on a piece of carpet around 3 sides cut from some of that really soft, plush bathroom stuff. It will get nasty and nappy over time but should hold up well.

Dave

PS - A thanks to you and everyone else for the compliments!

[elcoyote]

Mario,

Currently yes, the aluminum is directly on the cover. I thought about using neoprene (I even have some) but my experience with it has led me to believe it would wear out quickly. The new idea is to rivet on a piece of carpet around 3 sides cut from some of that really soft, plush bathroom stuff. It will get nasty and nappy over time but should hold up well.

Dave

PS - A thanks to you and everyone else for the compliments!

The carpet will work perfectly. I bet a nice scrap is for the asking at your local carpet store.

[highlandercj-7]

I wouldn't worry about the added weight, as lite as they are, there shouldn't be any issues. The strap used is great but the edge of the aluminum is like a knife. I would wrap a sleeve around the strap where it goes through the ends. I'd use a piece of heavy leather or atleast and old inner tube. I always carry a few cargo straps like that they are good for all kinds of uses. A friend of mine tore the transmission mount off his cherokee on a trail ride we double wrapped it in a x fassion with a cargo strap and he ran the run all weekend without issues lol.

[rickc]

Hi again David:

I took a look at the Rack and Roll site. Very expensive for such a simple trailer and I'd not feel comfortable with my big boats swinging around so far behind me supported only by two saddles about 3' apart. I always tie my ends down like you do and this can not be done properly with the little Rack and Roll trailer

Safer up top!

My little yak is almost 18' long and the bigger one is 22'. I like to support them with saddles as far apart as possible (easy with my 9' roof rack).