Top Kayak Trailer Reviews
What is a Kayak Trailer? A kayak trailer is a type of trailer that is designed to be towed behind your vehicle. It is one of the fastest, easiest, and also one of the most preferred ways to tow a kayak. They are much more convenient than a roof rack because they have more space for multiple kayaks as well as other gear. You will also find it easier to load it up as it is situated closer to the ground.
Our 6 Best Kayak Trailer Rankings:
- Malone Auto Racks MicroSport Trailer Kayak
- Ruff-Sport Kayak Trailer
- Malone Xtralight Trailer Package
- Yakima Rack and Roll Kayak Trailer
- Portage Pal T-2000 Canoe/Kayak Trailer
- Right-On Trailer Multi Sport Kayak Trailer
1. Malone Auto Racks MicroSport Trailer Kayak
The Malone Auto Racks MicroSport Trailer Kayak comes in first place out of all the kayak trailers for quality and design. This trailer offers premium features that the others just can’t quite match. This trailer is rigged with J-Pro2 J-style kayak saddles which are designed to lift the kayaks into place, which means very little physical effort is required on your part. This is one of the few trailers that will accommodate up to 4 kayaks laying on their side, and it includes safety straps and chains for the utmost security. Even better, it holds boats up to 19 ft. in length, meaning you could even carry a canoe as an alternative to a kayak
Key Features:
- This trailer has a large weight capacity, enabling it to support up to 350 lbs.
- It is made out of galvanized steel, which accounts for its durability and longevity.
- The frame is 78 inches wide by 164 inches long, allowing it to attach to most tow hitches.
- The Malone Auto Racks MicroSport is one of the few trailers that can withstand high speeds up to 70 mph, which is perfect if you will be traveling on the expressway.
- The instructions are clear and easy, making assembly a breeze.
- It is more compact than its competitors.
- It comes with a pre-wired light system.
- While this trailer tends to be on the expensive side, it offers an excellent 5-year warranty to help safeguard your purchase.
2. Ruff-Sport Kayak Trailer
The Ruff-Sport Kayak Trailer is a one of a kind trailer. Not only can it hold 2 kayaks and 2 bikes at the same time, but it also can be configured to carry other items such as SUP’s and cargo boxes. There are multiple benefits you can take advantage of while utilizing this trailer.
The Ruff Sport features a 64-inch cross bar that supports many roof rack accessories. One of its most notable features is that the trailer is guaranteed to safely transport kayaks with speeds to 45 mph.
Key Features:
- The frame is made out of galvanized steel.
- Its dimensions are 11 and 1/2 feet long and 64 inches wide.
- It comes with large 12″ wheels with springs for a smooth ride.
- It has a locking frame that folds up.
- It is more fuel efficient than carrying your kayaks on your roof.
- It comes with standard LED lights.
- It is well suited for saltwater use.
- It is a multi-use trailer that will carry just about everything that you need
3. Malone Xtralight Trailer Package
As you may already assume, the Malone Xtralight Trailer is basically a lightweight version of the Malone AutoRacks MicroSport trailer without the extra carriers. This trailer is designed to carry both recreational and fishing kayaks. It is one of the more budget friendly packages out there, without sacrificing the rock-solid construction. Even with its light-weight frame, it is durable and has a maximum weight capacity of 275 lbs.
Key Features:
- This Xtralight trailer has a T-box design that is easy to assemble.
- It includes extra-thick padding, offering maximum protection to your kayaks.
- The 2-piece reinforced extended tongue makes it extra durable.
- This trailer is one of the few trailers that come with a 5-year warranty.
4. Yakima Rack and Roll Kayak Trailer
If you know anything about kayaking, you’ve probably heard the name “Yakima.” That’s because it is one of the leading brands on the market. The Yakima Rack and Roll trailer is very attractive and sleek in style. Although it is only 160 lbs., it is capable of carrying up to 300 lbs. of weight. The width of the trailer is also very impressive, measuring in at 78 inches, which is quite a bit wider than its competitors.
Key Features:
- This trailer is made out of anodized aluminum with zinc-plated steel fasteners.
- The carrying handle transforms trailer into hand cart.
- The LED lights are designed to last for years.
- This trailer is compatible with Yakima accessories.
- This trailer has a mechanism that collapses the entire frame in seconds. It also has detachable wheels and a detachable tongue, making it one of the easiest trailers to store.
5. Portage Pal T-2000 Canoe/Kayak Trailer
The Portage Pal T-2000 is simple in nature, yet this trailer is able to accomplish a lot. It can hold up to 3 kayaks or canoes and is one of the easiest trailers to load and unload. Because everything is so simple with this trailer, it would make sense that it is also one of the easiest trailers to put together.
Key Features:
- It requires little effort for loading and unloading.
- It can carry varying lengths, anywhere from 8 ft. to 22 ft. long
- It is lightweight, which means you can easily maneuver it
- It is made with galvanized metal, making it durable.
6. Right-on Trailer Multi-Sport Kayak Trailer
The final trailer we will look at has a little bit of everything. It is affordable, durable, and has multiple uses. The configuration of the Right-on Trailer is a little bit different than the rest. It comes with a second tier for stacking your kayaks. It fits 4 kayaks comfortably, but can hold up to 6 if they are strapped up accordingly. This is one of the best trailers if you are looking to fit as many kayaks as possible.
As we said earlier, it has multiple uses. It comes with crossboards that are 64 inches wide, which means you can accommodate a variety of items, such as bikes, surfboards, fishing kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and other small water vessels.
Key Features:
- It is easy to load, and usually requires just one person.
- It comes with springs that absorb vibrations for maximum protection of your gear.
- It is lightweight in comparison with other 2-tier trailers
If you are interested in purchasing a kayak trailer, be sure to visit Amazon.com to find some of the best kayak trailers on the market at great prices. And don’t forget to share this guide with your fellow paddlers and water sports enthusiasts so that they can be well informed too!
Kayak Trailer Buyer’s Guide
Many people enjoy boating, but there is something about paddling around in a kayak that puts you at one with nature and the water. It is one of the most relaxing water sports out there. But thrill seekers can have their fun too, paddling in rapids or battling against the ocean waves. There’s real adventure in kayaking for all ages young and old alike.
Transporting your kayak from your home to your water destination is not always easy or fun. One kayak may fit on the roof of a car or in the bed of a truck, but it gets even more complicated when you have multiple kayaks to transport. What’s even more frustrating is that the constant transportation of a kayak on the roof of your car can scratch and wear away at the paint. This is where a kayak trailer comes in and saves the day.
There’s really not a lot of solid information out there on kayak trailers, so we are going to give you a comprehensive overview of what to look for in a kayak trailer and which trailers are ranked as some of the best on the market. Kayak trailers are an investment, so it is important to give it some thought before buying.
Storage Space
Unfortunately, kayaking is not an all-season sport, unless you are lucky to live in a region where there’s beautiful weather all year round. There will most likely be times where you will have to store your trailer away for a lengthy period of time.
Before purchasing a kayak trailer, you need to consider where you will be storing it when it is not in use. Ideally, you will want to store it indoors in a climate-controlled area like a garage or shed to keep it safe from the elements of the weather. Take careful measurements of your storage space that way you will be sure not to purchase a trailer that doesn’t exceed the dimensions of your space. Note that some trailers have components that allow the trailer to fold up for more compact storage.
You will also want to make sure that your trailer is secured properly, because it is a pricey piece of equipment that criminals will steal if given the opportunity. Additional security such as a padlock or a locking clamp will help you ensure that your trailer is secure if you do have to leave it outside.
Materials Used
Trailers can be made out of the following materials:
- Aluminum
- Non-Galvanized Steel
- Galvanized Steel
Aluminum trailers are lightweight and easy to move. This material is the most expensive material for a kayak trailer.
Non-galvanized steel is the most affordable material. It is stronger than aluminum, but has the tendency to corrode and rust, especially when exposed to salt water.
Galvanized steel has a layer of zinc that acts as a barrier to the harmful elements of salt water. This material is generally considered the mid-priced option.
Easy to Move
A good characteristic of a quality kayak trailer is that it should be easy to maneuver, even when it’s loaded up with all of your kayaks and other gear. You don’t want something that is so heavy that you can’t move it around by hand.
Suspension System
You may or may not need to consider a suspension system. This really depends on if you will be driving on unpaved roads in the backwoods country to find the best kayaking spots. The suspension system allows you to drive on the rough terrain without causing damage to your kayaks from the bumpy ride. If you will mostly be driving on paved roads, then you probably don’t have much need for a suspension system.
Length of Tongue
The last thing you want to do is purchase a trailer and find out that it is not long enough to properly hold your kayak. The tongue length is the distance measured from the axle to the trailer hitch. If this length is too short, then there is a good chance that you will have a difficult time towing a large kayak. As a general rule of thumb, the longer the length the safer you will be. Know the length of the kayak that you have or will be purchasing before deciding on the tongue length. While it is possible to purchase a tongue extension, it is better just to get the right length in the first place for a hassle-free experience.
Size of Wheels
Believe it or not, but the size of your wheels actually do matter when it comes to towing a kayak trailer. Many people think that smaller wheels mean the trailer platform will be closer to the ground and easier to load and unload, which is true in part. But there are some negative aspects that many fail to consider. The smaller the wheels, the faster they wear out. This is because smaller wheels have to do twice as much work to cover the same distance as larger wheels.
Tandem Kayaks
There may be times where you want to enjoy the water with a friend or family member in a tandem kayak. As you can imagine, a tandem kayak is bigger to accommodate two people. If you are considering purchasing a tandem kayak, you will want to be sure that you trailer is built to accommodate tandems.
A few things you have to consider are:
- Weight capacity of the trailer
- Length of the tandem kayaks
- Width of the tandem kayaks
Multi-kayak Trailers
There are some trailers that are designed to accommodate a large number of kayaks. This is perfect for those who have a large family or a group of friends that like to kayak on a regular basis. When purchasing a multi-kayak trailer, you will want to consider the maximum amount of weight capacity that is available.
These types of trailers are not usually just limited to kayaks. Often times, they are able to carry boats, canoes, and even bikes. While these multi-purpose trailers tend to be on the expensive side, they are very convenient.
Kayak Trailer DIY Ideas
