The Best Kayak Trailers

How to Choose the Best Kayak Trailer

What are you looking to bring?

The first thing you should be thinking about when you’re browsing the market for a kayak trailer is the amount of accessories you have. Are you going on a one-day kayak trip or do you plan to stay a whole week at a campsite near a lake? This will determine how much luggage you’ll have in addition to the accessories required for kayaking.

Some kayak trailers have the ability to carry more than just kayaks since they’re equipped with side cupboards and other storage compartments. But other kayak trailers are only capable of hauling the kayak on its rack. That being said, it’s important that you consider how many supplies you actually have and then think about whether you need a larger vehicle to carry everything. Ultimately, you should consider how many kayaks each trailer can take before purchasing it as well as its load capacity.

How many kayaks can it take?

Are you going on a small kayaking trip with your family or friends? Or are you planning on hauling enough kayaks for a group of kids for camp? Questions like these will help you to determine how many kayaks you’ll be bringing on your trip. As a result, you can figure out what kind of trailer you’ll need to haul all of these kayaks.

The majority of the kayak trailers on the market have the ability to carry around two to four kayaks. These standard types of trailers are perfect for small get-togethers over the weekend or for short kayaking trips. But there are also some kayak trailers with the ability to haul anywhere from six to sixteen kayaks at once.

Load capacity

A trailer’s load capacity refers to the amount of overall weight that it’s capable of safely supporting. Whether it’s the kayaks’ weight or the additional luggage placed on the trailer, the load capacity enlists the total number of pounds that it’s capable of supporting for longer trips. Most kayaks weigh between 35 and 100 pounds, but this does vary depending on the type of kayak it is.

From there, it’s sometimes not enough to only consider the number of kayaks that the trailer is able to support because of the weight disparities between the different types. For instance, fishing kayaks tend to weigh the most because of the extra gear that’s assembled on them. So a standard trailer that’s expected to haul up to four recreational kayaks may not be strong enough to safely support the weight of four fishing kayaks that weigh up to double the weight.

Materials

It’s important that you think about what materials the kayak trailers are produced with because this will ultimately determine its durability and its ability to withstand all weather conditions. Most kayak trailers are made with either steel, galvanized steel or aluminum material. Steel is often the cheapest option because it’s the easiest to shape and produce, but it does require more maintenance in order to prevent rust or corrosion from developing over time.

Galvanized steel is also a popular construction material for kayak trailers because it has weather-resistant properties and can withstand getting wet without developing rust or corrosion over time. This is because galvanized steel has a zinc coating on it that’s specifically made to prevent rust or corrosion. If you want a sturdy, steel construction, then you should make sure that it’s a high or marine-grade galvanized steel for optimal durability.

Another common material that many kayak trailers are made out of is aluminum. It’s common because of its ability to have more lightweight features than steel. Not only is it way more lightweight than steel, but it’s also more water-resistant. That being said, it has an advantage over steel in that it won’t develop rust over time as it gets wet. It does tend to be a more expensive option than steel though, so you should consider that when deciding.

Aluminum usually offers a smoother traveling experience than steel because of its lightweight design, and it’s easier to haul aluminum trailers behind vehicles of different sizes. But steel trailers are more heavy-duty and can usually haul more weight than aluminum ones. That being said, if you’re planning on hauling either a large number of accessories or fishing kayaks that weigh more than recreational boats, then you should probably aim for a steel trailer .

Specifications

Tongue length

The tongue length of a trailer refers to the length of the bar that connects the axle and its compartments to the hitch of the vehicle you’re towing the trailer on. The tongue length of trailers varies anywhere from 10 feet to 15 or 20 feet. It’s important to consider because it ultimately determines the size of the kayaks that you’re able to transport on them. If you have longer kayaks, then you’ll want a trailer with a longer tongue length.

On the other hand, if you have a trailer that’s too short, then you risk the kayaks not fitting on the trailer. Or you might be able to fit them onto the trailer but they hang off the back of it. This is not only dangerous for the other people driving around you, but you also risk your kayaks getting scuffed up and developing damage if they’re constantly scraping against the ground.

But you should also consider its maneuverability because the longer the trailer’s tongue length is, the more difficult it is to steer and maneuver throughout traffic. So if you need a longer trailer to transport longer kayaks, then you may want to have someone drive that’s more experienced with hauling longer trailers .

Tires and rims

You should consider the size of the trailer’s tires and rims because of traveling purposes. Trailer tires and rims can range anywhere from eight inches to 14 inches, but they vary in the trailer’s ability to haul more weight. Trailers that have wider tires and larger rims are capable of withstanding more rough terrains and uneven surfaces.

On the other hand, trailers that have smaller tires and rims are really only built for the ability to drive on even and smooth surfaces. They’re usually only capable of carrying a certain amount of weight as well. That being said, if you’re either hauling a larger amount of weight or you’re traveling on rougher roads, then you’ll want a kayak trailer with wider tires and larger rims.

But if you’re traveling on smoother, well-kept roads and only have a certain amount of weight on the trailer, then you’ll be able to get away with smaller-sized tires and rims. You should also keep in mind that the trailer’s tires can most likely be switched out if you have larger ones. But you should make sure of this before you rely on changing them out by yourself.

Assembly required?

Many people wonder whether buying a kayak trailer and assembling it is more time and money efficient than simply buying the supplies and building on yourself. There are obviously advantages and disadvantages to both of these options, but it essentially comes down to your personal preference. You really have the option of choosing to purchase one from the store already built for you, purchasing one online and assembling it yourself or purchasing the supplies to building one yourself.

If you’re planning on building one yourself, yes you will probably spend less money overall on the supplies needed. But you also risk the trailer not working, malfunctioning or even the measurements not working out. And even if you’re experienced and all of the measurements and parts are the perfect size, the amount of time that it takes to assemble the whole thing will likely take a larger amount of time than simply purchasing one.

The most convenient option would be to purchase one already assembled at the store, but this is often the most expensive option. Not only that, but it seems that you would also have to worry about the certain store you’re buying the trailer from having it available in stock. Because of this, most people try to aim for somewhere in the middle of these options, since it’s the average price and it tends to be convenient as well.

Buying a kayak trailer online and learning how to assemble on your own at home is a task that most people are willing to take on. But you should be prepared beforehand since the entire assembly will take a few hours and require some standard workshop tools. But you’re in luck because most kayak trailers come with instructions that you can easily follow just by reading step-by-step.

Most kayak trailers require that you first layout all the parts to ensure that you have everything. Then you’ll probably start with passing the wiring through the holes in the different prices and then as long the brackets while the trailer is upside down. After that, you’ll want to tighten the hardware to ensure that it won’t come apart. Next, you’ll want to attach the spring hangers and then tighten down the tongue in place.

Aligning the axle usually comes after that, followed by the tires, lights, and the license plate brackets. After you’ve installed the fenders over the tires on the trailer, you’ll usually install the crossbars last, since the trailer will be flipped upside right at this point.

FAQ’s

How do kayak trailers differ from regular trailers?

Just as the name suggests, kayak trailers are specifically designed to haul kayaks and regular utility trailers are designed for more utility purposes. Utility trailers are typically designed to carry higher amounts of weight, so they’re stiffer. The suspension in these types of trailers is designed to carry weights that are much heavier than kayaks, so they may cause damage to carrying kayaks.

On the other hand, kayak trailers are equipped with accurate load capacities to haul multiple kayaks at once. In addition to that, they’re usually equipped with j-hooks, crossbars and an extended tongue that can more easily and more safely haul kayaks and longer boats.

How do I secure a kayak onto the trailer?

Yes. You can’t simply place the kayak onto the trailer and expect that it won’t fall off while you’re driving down the road. With the bumps, high speeds and even different weather, you’re required to secure the kayak down onto the trailer using the straps and the other accessories that come with the trailer. It doesn’t take too long to secure the kayaks to the trailer either, so there isn’t a reason that you shouldn’t tie them down.

Do I have to register a kayak trailer?

Yes. Just like any other trailer that drives down the road, you’ll have to register the trailer and make sure that it has a license plate assembled to the back of it. You can easily register them at the DMV or the BMV closest to you.

Can I build my own?

Technically, yes it is possible. But you’ll have to be prepared for the extra time and effort that goes into making the trailer. You’ll need to ensure that the parts and pieces are the right dimensions and all assembled into the correct design so that it can safely haul multiple kayaks at once. You may save some money by building your own kayak trailer, but you definitely won’t safe time and effort, so it might be more worth it to just buy one either online or in-store to assemble yourself.

Can you haul kayak accessories with it?

Some kayak trailers come with the features to allow for storage compartments, but some of them don’t. You’ll have to make sure that you buy one capable of offering these types of options if you’re going to rely on the trailer storage to carry your belongings. Most trailers that offer storage either come equipped with storage containers along with the tongue of the trailer or in the back in between the two wheels above the axle.

Some trailers even have floors that you can utilize for extra security while hauling paddles and other kayak accessories, but you’ll have to make sure you find the right one if you want this feature.

Final Thoughts

Overall, kayak trailers can make your kayak hauling experience much easier. Rather than having to assemble kayaks on the top of a small vehicle or even taking multiple vehicles just to carry more kayaks, having a trailer is so much easier. They’re equipped with the features to carry multiple kayaks at once, and they’re safer than other means of transporting kayaks from one place to another.

But trying to find the best kayak for your specific purposes may be difficult, so hopefully, this guide has provided you with information that can help you along with your camping adventures. We hope you’ve benefited from this information and if you liked it, we recommend that you share it with your friends and even comment below if you have any other suggestions or advice.