Kayak Rack

[Big11beard]

I need a cheap solution to mount the two 10ft kayaks on top of the bus without blocking the solar panels to much. I found a 6ft x 5ft section of fencing at the metal yard for $15. I ran 1in steel tubing and pipe fittings through the center of the fence an bolted through pipe and fence.

In front I drilled holes through the bumper. On top of the bus I cut oak blocks so a level pipe flange sat flush to the bus and sealed with black tar. 1/4" threaded rod goes all the way through the roof.

[sdwarf36]

I like it!

[MuddyG]

Sweet. I'd like to see it with kayaks.

[Big11beard]

oh... you'll see it with the Kayaks. Our overlander adventure to the tropics begins on or around Feb 5th

[bansil]

be advised you will get a lot of torsional twist and the rear mounts may break

How do you plan to put kayaks? if they are 10 ft, they will hang over a foot on each side, or they will hang over roof 5 feet, will that lead to vibrations and the kayaks resting on panels and possible cracking them?

You guys will have a ball, stay safe and have fun!

[Big11beard]

What I can say in confidence is that Almost everything I have built on this bus is questionable from my Mechanical Engineering perspective. Unfortunatly my wife points out that if I did everything "right" then we would have a $30k bus and not a $10k bus.

So we take it slow. Fix it when it breaks. And most importantly keep it Getto Fabulous.

[Big11beard]

More Photos at our blog Gallery

https://eljardinometepe.wordpress.co...ory/galleries/

[jazty]

Huh.. Neat idea with that front rack! Reminds me of the car carrier trucks:

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of the kayaks up there.
Mesh (or fencing in your case) is probably a good material for that location since I'm guessing it will have a strong updraft going through it at highway speed.

[bansil]

a lot better pictures, the pipe and couplings won't break

those pictures show it alot better built than first ones

how will kayaks go on?

[Big11beard]

The Kayak Rack has been working great. The back end of the kayaks shades a little of the solar panel but, I have more then enough power being collected from the panels. The kayaks can only be seen from the driver seat if you lean forward. They sit slightly above the solar panels so they also double as a clearance check for tree branches and such.

[Big11beard]

More Photos at our blog Gallery

https://eljardinometepe.wordpress.co...ory/galleries/
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[dredman]

badass

you should post a video of loading/unloading, I would really like to see that

[Annabell]

I’m looking for ideas on racks or hooks or something for my skoolie that would be easy to load the kayak. My kayak is a 12.5’ old town that weighs 115 lbs. it’s a little lighter when I take the pedal drive out but with that length and still weighing almost 100 lbs I have a hard time loading just on my truck. Let alone the bus. I’m only 5’ and barely weigh 105 lbs myself. So I need something cheap and easy for carrying the kayak and easy loading. Any suggestions are appreciated!!

[BarnYardCamp]

https://www.rvkayakracks.com/pages/y...s-and-articles
google search of vertical kayak rack resulted in the above link.

I didn't read up on it...didn't see how many options are available either.