Regardless of whether you are experienced or new to kayaking. Finding suitable transport your kayaks can be hard, mainly if you drive long stretches.
A single kayak can fit on the roof or the flatbed of a truck. Two kayaks may fit a unique roof rack.
Hauling kayaks or canoes onto a vehicle roof can be a struggle, particularly if you are by yourself.
We are going to show what you need to look for when choosing the best kayak trailer for your needs.
By the end of the reviews, you will know the pros and cons of choosing from the best kayak brands of the trailer.
Contents
What are Kayak Trailers?
Which is the best way to transport your boat and equipment to the water? Kayak racks work very well if you are ferrying one or two boats with limited equipment.
However, when you are transporting several boats, maybe a bicycle or two and many other bits of equipment.
It is advisable to consider a trailer for kayaks. They deliver more room are simpler to load than luggage racks, and trailers will haul more weight.
The trailers will tow behind your vehicle and will require a coupler and an electrical supply for brake lights and indicators.
A travel trailer kayak rack is available in a number of sizes, some of which have a second-tier for additional storage space.
There are one-boat trailers, two boat trailers, and three-plus boat trailers. There is also a combination of kayak and boat trailers, which can carry bikes and windsurfing equipment.
Top Kayak Trailer Reviews
1. Malone MicroSport Sports Trailer for Kayaks, Canoes, and Bikes
The Malone MicroSport Trailer offers a very convenient alternative when you need to carry all your recreational equipment.
This trailer can accommodate kayaks and canoes, surfboards, bikes, stand-up paddleboards, and many other bits of cargo you may have.
The frame is highly durable and made from marine grade galvanized steel and has marine-grade wheel bearings.
The Malone trailer offers tons of quality while remaining very affordable, and being able to carry up to four kayaks easily.
They are a much more versatile option than kayak roof racks. It can easily be one of the best bikes, kayak trailers as well.
The Malone load bars are compatible with all Malone kayak, canoe, and surfing accessories.
Additional to this, the crossbars are compatible with Yakima and Thule attachments for pretty much all your sporting gear up to 20ft in length. This delivers plenty of Kayak trailer ideas and makes them suitable for pedal kayaks.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Anti-corrosion galvanized frame and crossbars
- The lighting system is prewired for easy assembly
- Backed by a 5-year warranty
- Built in “D ring” tie-downs
Cons
- Can take up storage space when not in use
- Takes longer to assemble than the 3 hours specified
Technical Specifications
- Load capacity: 800 lbs.
- Wheel size: 12.”
- Dimensions: L 159” X W60”
- Weight: 197 lbs.
- Materials: Marine-grade steel – fully galvanized
- Vehicle attachment ball size: 2.”
With a guide price of under $1300, the number of features and ease of loading you find, it is money well spent.
Not to mention the extended 5-year warranty. If there was one gripe, it is the space it can take up when not in use. However, it is light enough for one person to move out of the way.
It is a great trailer, and it certainly set the standard for the remaining reviews.
2. Yakima Rack and Roll Trailer
Yakima kayak trailers come from one of the larger names in the industry. While this trailer is well made and constructed from anodized aluminum, it was very lightweight, and you could see this in testing.
If you are only carrying one kayak, you can be in trouble with the trailer weave. The Yakima Rack and Roll do come with the upgradable suspension to help carry a larger weight, but doing so may compromise the skinny wheels and tires.
We found these prone to being stuck if the ground was wet, which could be a problem. One thing we were not keen on was the need to purchase additional carriers.
There is no additional space for extra cargo as standard, and these additions take the guide price of this aluminum kayak trailer of just under $2800, to something far more expensive.
Pros
- Can be stored vertically
- Lockable tongue and wheels
- LED lights
Cons
- Need to purchase Yakima carriers to make full use
- Thin wheels get stuck and can damage easy
- Expensive
- 1-year warranty
Technical Specifications
- Load capacity: 300 lbs.
- Material: Anodized aluminum
- Dimensions: L 161” X W78”
- Weight: 120 lbs.
- Coupling: 2”
One good thing was the small rear wheels that allow for vertical storage. This can save plenty of space when not in use.
The Yakima Rackandroll can carry up to six kayaks with add-on kayak rack for trailer mounting.
Although, this does push it close to the maximum of 300lbs carrying capacity. It may come from one of the largest names; however, it doesn’t come with the largest feature sets on the test.
3. Malone XTRA LIGHT Trailer Package w/ 2 V-Kayak Racks
While this has XTRA LIGHT in the name, it is solidly built like the first kayak trailer on the test.
This double kayak trailer can be a wise choice if you are a recreational yak user or into kayak fishing. It only carries two, but it can fit 32 inches wide and 14 feet long yaks with ease.
Made from galvanized steel, you don’t feel any weave, even if the weight is light. Much of this is down to the shorter length.
With the inclusion of V-racks, loading straps, and all the mounting hardware you need, this 2-kayak trailer can be a great choice if you are after your first trailer.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Anti-corrosion galvanized frame
- Includes 2 sets of V styled kayak carriers
- Backed by a 5-year warranty
- Tows without trailer weave
Cons
- No additional cargo space
- Takes longer to assemble than the 3 hours specified
- No kickstand and wheel attachment
Technical Specifications
- Load capacity: 275 lbs.
- Wheel size: 12”
- Dimensions: L 134” X W 58”
- Weight: 164 lbs.
- Materials: Marine-grade steel – fully galvanized
- Vehicle attachment ball size: 2”
Although this Malone Kayak trailer doesn’t allow you to carry any more gear, the guide price of around $1100 is well worth the investment.
Like other Malone trailers, it comes backed with a 5-year warranty, so you are safe knowing you have a good few years’ services.
4. RIGHT-ON TRAILER Multi-Sport Multi-Rack Kayak Trailer by Right on | Durable Transporting Trailer for Kayaks, Sups, Canoes, Bicycles & More
For anyone who is looking to carry a large amount of equipment, then the Right On trailer may be the ideal choice.
With a second tier, it can carry a variation of bikes and kayaks or any other combination of equipment.
As long as you don’t exceed the carrying capacity, it is a solid choice and remains stable on the road.
However, if you use this as a kayak, bike trailer, and are carrying bikes on the top tier, these can catch the wind, so traveling at speed may slow you down a little.
The construction was solid. However, we spotted a couple of chips in the powder coat, and if these aren’t treated, you may see corrosion quicker than expected. This can be a problem with only a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Powder-coated steel
- Locking and folding kayak trailer tongue
- High-speed tires included
- Can carry a large amount of equipment
Cons
- Takes up to 6 hours to assemble
- No kickstand and wheel attachment
- Low-quality electric wires
Technical Specifications
- Load capacity: 300 lbs.
- Wheel size: 16.25”
- Dimensions: L 132” X W64”
- Weight: 162 lbs.
- Materials: Powder-coated steel
- Vehicle attachment ball size: 1.7/8”
With a guide price, coming in around $600, it is one of the cheaper options, but we were left feeling if this was going to be a false economy.
Using the trailer around water too often, and it might be the case you find yourself looking around for a replacement well before you expect.
Anyone willing to take the risk will find the trailer easy to load, but it isn’t the best-looking kayak trailer out there.
We found in testing; it is hard to find this Kayak trailer for sale.
5. Malone Auto Racks MicroSport Trailer Kayak Transport Package with 4 Malone J-Pro2 Kayak Carriers
The Malone kayak rack trailer does exactly as it says. It can carry four kayaks up to 19 ft. in length. Like the other Malone trailers, it is constructed from galvanized steel, so it will last when used around water.
It comes with included racks, and a spare tire, which was a nice touch. When we began testing, we found the 3-hours assembly not to be correct like all the others.
However, that is a minor thing. The included racks are a blessing, and the extra width of the 78-inch crossbars means there is plenty of space available.
The carrying capacity of this 4-kayak trailer is more than enough, and you even have the inclusion of tie-downs to keep your kayaks safe and secure.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Anti-corrosion galvanized frame
- Includes 4 Malone J-Pro2 Kayak Carriers
- Backed by a 5-year warranty
- Tows without trailer weave
- Comes with a spare tire
Cons
- Takes longer to assemble than the 3 hours specified
- Too much for casual use
- Needs a larger vehicle to tow with ease
Technical Specifications
- Load capacity: 350 lbs.
- Wheel size: 12.”
- Dimensions: L 159” X W 78”
- Weight: 197 lbs.
- Materials: Marine-grade steel – fully galvanized
- Vehicle attachment ball size: 2.”
With a ballpark price of around $1800, this is reaching toward the top end of many individuals’ budgets, and it may be too much unless you are guaranteed to be making full use of the four available spaces.
It is a very durable trailer, and for its size, it needs to be. With all-steel construction, fenders included. It can take a few knocks before you may need to use the 5-year warranty.
What to Look For When Buying a Kayak Trailer
Materials
While aluminum doesn’t corrode, these make a very lightweight kayak trailer. Solid steel with corrosion resistance can be a better choice for saltwater environments and for towing. The MicroSport trailer being heavily corrosion protected.
Easy to move by hand
A kayak trailer does need to be easy to move the side. A good one you can maneuver even if fully loaded. Base trailers will be the easiest to maneuver.
Suspension
You do need suspension on your trailer. Some come with shocks similar to motorcycles, but these are not as durable as more solid leaf spring suspension systems.
The Yakima Rack and Roll being a prime example. To carry heavier weights, you need to purchase stronger shocks.
Tongue length
The trailer tongue is the distance from the axle and the hitching mechanism. This determines the range of kayaks you can carry. The shorter the tongue length, the shorter the equipment you can haul.
Wheel Size
Trailers with smaller wheels may seem a better option, but tires wear out quicker, and a chunkier tire adds to the suspension of your trailer while offering more road grip. Wheels that are too big make it harder to load and unload your trailer.
Multi Kayak and Multi-purpose
Tandem kayaks trailers are handy when carrying few kayaks at once rather than a single kayak trailer.
This makes it ideal for families. It is better to choose a multi-purpose trailer that can carry multiple kayaks, bikes, or windsurfing equipment.
One’s that come with too many additions limit flexibility such as the Auto Racks MicroSport Trailer. This could be hard if you want to carry mini kayaks as everything is already fitted in place.
Ease of Assembly
Most trailers are delivered in multiple boxes. A trailer kit should require few tools and only a few hours to assemble. (Find the Best Pedal Kayaks)
Load Capacity
It is no good purchasing a small kayak trailer that cannot carry a decent load capacity. You can quickly find that you are unable to carry that last kayak or bike because you will be overweight.
Adding to this, you can opt for a trailer that is flexible and doesn’t use any of the racks. This means it can carry more.
All you need is fixing points where to connect your ratchet straps. This delivers much more flexibility while keeping your yaks safe.
Final Verdict
After all the testing on the above trailers, we found one suitable victor well before we came to an end.
With the most price per performance out of all on the test, we found the Malone MicroSport Sports Trailer for Kayaks, Canoes, and Bikes the best choice.
It offers a robust design with lots of anti-corrosion built-in and sealed bearings, so there is no chance of water penetrating. It is easy to load and configure how you want it.
Malone Kayak trailers are super strong and have guarantees that outreach any of the competition.
This one, in particular, was a treat to tow and was rock solid, even at the highest speeds. There was very little difference in wind buffering while carrying one or carrying multiple kayaks and bikes.
It was a worthy winner, and anyone who chooses this trailer will find the simple things like the built-in D rings a subtle but worthy addition. It was the best performer and came with fewer niggles than any of the others.
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