How would you haul bikes and kayaks? (2024)

I've come up with several different options over the years to haul canoes, bikes, and now kayaks. I just finished making a rack to haul kayaks on the PUP and the bikes on the TV. I hauled this way all last year. I still needed a good rack system for moving the kayaks after setting up camp and I did make a rack that incorporated a lifting mechanism similar to Thules hullivator for the TV. The problem with my homemade version was that I had to remove all the bike mounting components to use it so it was dismantled and written off as a good idea that didn't work. I just managed to score two sets of Yakima hullraisers off craigslist and after making some adjustments, I was able to get three bikes and both kayaks on the TV.

My question after all this is: Would you just mount everything on the TV and not use the PUP rack or would you continue to use the rack on the PUP and maybe put everthing on it instead of the TV. I would be interested in the reasons behind your decisions. Being 62, it's a little bit of a chore to get the kayaks on the TV and I would have to pack a small step ladder. I don't need one to put the kayaks on the PUP or the bikes on the TV.

I just ordered a Yakima Boatloader

http://www.yakima.com/racks/kayak-rack/product/8004018/boatloader.aspx

DW and I were trying to figure out how to load a NuCanoe (85lbs) on the pup... couldn't figure out how to get it over/past the AC without adding even MORE weight to the top.

1) we need a way to move the boat without the pup
2) didn't want to put excess weight on the pup roof, leaks are bad
3) of course, I'm not sure my bike is going to coexist with the NuCanoe on top.

Thanks all for the responses. It never ceases to surprise me of all the various ways we all haul our toys. One of my favorite things to observe is the the way everyone heading North for the weekend would haul all the recreational equipment. After reading the responses and taking a little while to think about it, I think I'm going to continue hauling the kayaks on the PUP and the bikes on the TV. It is really the easiest on me for loading purposes. I did make a loading bar similar to the Yakima one but a whole lot cheaper to load the kayaks on the PUP.

There is no way I'm going to get the DW to drive a separate vehicle so I guess the good Friars method won't work for me.
I'll just plan on taking the Hullraiser brackets with me when we plan on driving to a kayaking destination after setting up the PUP. At least with the Hullraisers, I won't have to change the bike mounts around or take them off. Now, anybody got a good method to load the kayaks on the hullraisers? I used the TVs back doors as the pivot point and a stepladder. Definately harder lifting a 50 lb yak versus a 20 lb bike.

I am late to this discussion but it's a good one..some great posts. I am in a similar dilemma. Being new to PUP last summer, we found we need to bring bikes and we also bought a NuCanoe. Now I need to find a way to tow it all. I am thinking NuCanoe on the roof of TV so I am not limited to using it only with the pup. My big problem is my TV. It's a 2013 Honda Ody and has no problem hauling the Pup solo (it's 2400 dry, roughly 2700 loaded up). Adding bikes and canoe to the TV is too much for the tongue weight. So putting canoe on TV (70lbs) and bike rack at rear of pup or roof of pup should work.....I am hoping anyways.

Great discussion....great info as always.

BigMac said:

I am late to this discussion but it's a good one..some great posts. I am in a similar dilemma. Being new to PUP last summer, we found we need to bring bikes and we also bought a NuCanoe. Now I need to find a way to tow it all. I am thinking NuCanoe on the roof of TV so I am not limited to using it only with the pup. My big problem is my TV. It's a 2013 Honda Ody and has no problem hauling the Pup solo (it's 2400 dry, roughly 2700 loaded up). Adding bikes and canoe to the TV is too much for the tongue weight. So putting canoe on TV (70lbs) and bike rack at rear of pup or roof of pup should work.....I am hoping anyways.

Great discussion....great info as always.

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I am in the same situation as you. Trying to figure out a bike rack situation. I don't have a canoe to haul, but bikes need to be hauled. Currently trying to decided between the Pro Rac system or the Sport Rack 1020 that attaches to the top of the pup. Leaning towards the Sport Rack as I don't really want to remove the front tires and don't even know if kids bikes have quick release for tires when my son starts riding a bike soon. The Sport Rack would also give us the option of possible transporting something else on top if we ever wanted too. Also, not sure how the Pro Rac will affect the tongue weight of the pup. Need to do some more research on how that works.

BigMac said:

@exploreco: did you ever decide on a bike rack??? I am looking at a Sixnall which is the floating rack. Had some good direct feedback on it from @DanielL.

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I am 99% certian that I will go with the Pro Rac system. After looking at things and the height of our roof the Pro Rac will allow my wife to still be able to help get the bikes of easily were any roof system wouldn't. So I think that is the way I am leaning today

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I'm planning a long trip to Maine this summer. Was planning on bringing a kayak or two and a bike or two. I have no problem carrying this on\in my TV but never attempted to tow my pup as well. Is this a bad idea? I never considered tongue weight until someone mentioned it above.
Stats:
Kayaks: 50 and 30 pounds
Bikes: one adult one mid size
TV: toyota 4 runner max tongue weight 500
Pup: 97 jayco 806 unsure tongue weight possibly 220?

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Here's a few pictures of my past and current configurations. I prefer to haul the kayaks (102 lbs combined) on the PUP mainly because it's easier for me to handle them. Most Colemans had a 300 lb weight limit when closed. On my old Trailblazer I had two kayaks and three adult bikes on the roof but I didn't like loading them up there by myself. I currently have a pickup and use a Darby bed extender to carry the kayaks in the bed when transporting the kayaks from the campground to a drop in spot.

The Trailblazer with everything on the TV roof:

The Trailblazer in the most preferred configuration:

The Pickup in the preferred setup:

The pickup with everything on it:

The bed extender:

This is how I do it..