Carry my kayak options

[Rgpracer]

I keep running into dead-ends on optional ways to carry my kayak. I know I have to carry it on my truck, but need to buy or fabricate a rack. I looked at a couple of "bed" mounted over-the-cab racks like US Rack but, I have a 6' bed so I don't have the luxury of space on the bed corners for turning reasons. I have fabricated a reciever on the front and was going to build an arm straight up to hold the front of the kayak, but for the bed....well, I have thoughts.
Has anyone that carries a kayak with a 5'r have a good roof rack that they use?
Thanks

[FT4NOW]

Have you looked into Yakups? They are meant to be mounted on the rear of the RV, so it would depend if you have a receiver on your RV (I would recommend one attached to the frame, not the bumper).

Yakups are customizable and can carry bikes or kayaks. They seem to have good reviews, I haven't used one myself.

[geotex1]

For the 4th Gen RAMs, all the roof racks of appropriate strength will require you to drill and install nutserts. Even at that, capacity isn't stellar (just look at limits on them for bikes). My suggestion would be to fabricate a rack with legs that come down and mount at the frame - think where step bars mount. A hoop, if you will, around the rear of the cab. If you then have a something coming up from that front receiver that's "T" shaped, you can then interconnect that with the rear hoop with some rails held by removable pins. Mount crossbars to those side then your ordinary kayak racks. Some quality stainless tube can do this easily at low weight but an investment to fabricate...

[orbsah]

A couple years ago we saw a Reflection that had 2 kayaks mounted UNDER the rig, in front of the axles. I don’t remember the details but whatever he did worked for him.

[xxn5ac]

Not sure if this will help you, but we bought two Intex inflatable kayaks and we store them in a compartment. They inflate quickly and work well. Space is a real premium so it’s nice to have the inflatables. The Challenger K1 is like $95 at Walmart

[Tom Traveler]

I keep running into dead-ends on optional ways to carry my kayak. I know I have to carry it on my truck, but need to buy or fabricate a rack. I looked at a couple of "bed" mounted over-the-cab racks like US Rack but, I have a 6' bed so I don't have the luxury of space on the bed corners for turning reasons. I have fabricated a reciever on the front and was going to build an arm straight up to hold the front of the kayak, but for the bed....well, I have thoughts.
Has anyone that carries a kayak with a 5'r have a good roof rack that they use?
Thanks

I've gone through the same process. There just isn't much room to carry a truck roof mounted kayak with a 5th wheel unless you go the front receiver route and the "hoop" suggested by geotex1. Even then, unless you have a short whitewater type kayak, it's going to be sticking out over the front by a fair amount. The Yakups look interesting except for the price. We decided not to spend our money on expensive fixes that wind up hanging stuff all over the truck or RV to catch wind, dirt, etc. Also, we've gotten to the point where we don't want to be wrestling a heavy kayak onto the roof of the truck or anywhere else for that matter.

We purchased a high quality inflatable kayak instead. We got the SeaEagle 385FT Fasttrack and we love it. It's easy to setup and inflate; it's easy to pack; it's easy to paddle; and it tracks almost as well as my hardshell touring kayak. We don't notice the difference regarding tracking and it's fast. It fits two people easily with extra room for gear. (You can get the next size up, the 485FT, if you want to carry 3 people or two smallish kids, or a big dog, or expedition gear.) Best of all, it folds up to a bundle about 40" x 16" by 16" and only weights 35 lbs. It's pricey - about $1,000 with kayak, carbon paddles, pump, high end seats, pack, etc. However, I would have spent at least that much on solutions to carry the hardshell, not to mention the hassle, and now I have another boat instead of a bunch of crap and weight attached to our truck or RV.

Remember, the ideal number of boats can be determined mathematically. It's a formula - ideal # of boats = N + 1, where N is the number of boats you currently own.

[el Rojo]

Sea Eagle inflatables.

[huntr70]

I keep running into dead-ends on optional ways to carry my kayak. I know I have to carry it on my truck, but need to buy or fabricate a rack. I looked at a couple of "bed" mounted over-the-cab racks like US Rack but, I have a 6' bed so I don't have the luxury of space on the bed corners for turning reasons. I have fabricated a reciever on the front and was going to build an arm straight up to hold the front of the kayak, but for the bed....well, I have thoughts.
Has anyone that carries a kayak with a 5'r have a good roof rack that they use?
Thanks

Used a Yakima system on my short bed and the same on my long bed.

Longest is 11 ft. I do have a receiver hitch on the front of the 2011 RAM, but we use it for a bike rack.

[Rgpracer]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I might not have added enough content to my initial message which led to a variety of replies so, allow me to add a few things.

I bought a 12' kayak to take to fish in. The inflatables some suggested where great ideas, but, I have this kayak and want to take it (IF) possible.

Under the camper.....I actually considered that but didn't want people to think I was crazy.

Again thanks to everyone for all the replies.....I think you all are awesome.

Ray

[Rgpracer]

Hmmmmm......I actually considered this.