Canoe on a Fifth Wheel - Diesel Forum

mkeel · 05-04-2005, 10:26 PM

Has anybody out there tried to carry a canoe or kayak on a fifth wheel camper? Is there any way to strap it on top? We have a Salem by Forrest River 28 ft BHSS. Any ideas or pics would be appreciated.

kiteflyer · 05-04-2005, 11:42 PM

I like your question. I am in the process of figuring it out how to carry 2 kayaks. I have a 1991 Alpenlite 29’. What I have planned so far is mounting Yakima Racks on my 5th wheel. I had originally planned on loading the kayak on edge and stacked. This would have added 2 feet to the height of the trailer. My wife talked me out of it and now plan to mount them flat on 2 racks, one on each side of the AC unit. The saves 12 inches in height. Carrying the kayaks flat should keep the height of the trailer under 12 feet.

I found that you could get the track the Yakima Rack mount on. It is the same as many SUVs. I had planned on mounting the track and then mount the rack just like you would on the SUV. I bought one side worth of parts including the track. The rack requires “landing pads.” The rack control tower mounts to the landing pad. After looking at the landing pad I determined I could mount them directly to the roof without the track. My plan is to screw the landing pads into the frame where I can. I have found aluminum frame around the vents but can not confirm the location of cross members. So I plan to mount one pad at the vent and the other on the side next to the edge. Both places will be in the aluminum frame. I can’t seem to find the cross frame next to the A/C. My roof is flat aluminum backed by 3/8” plywood and foam. For that location I will build a spreader plate (3”X15”) and use 6 “Plusnuts” to mount it. The Plusnuts are like big molly bolts that expand to spread the load. They will go through the aluminum skin and plywood.

We have tested putting the kayak up on the roof once so I know it can be done. To make it easier I got Hully rollers so I can roll the kayak up on top then move it to the rack.

I finally found the Plusnuts with the proper reach to go through the plywood. I will order them tomorrow. Then I can get on with mounting the rack.

Best place I found to the buy the rack is “http://www.orsracksdirect.com/yakima...mponents.html”

Good Luck
Frank

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