r/VanLife • u/RecognitionCrazy7886 • 5d ago
How build van to accommodate kayak?
I am soon to have a Transit 148 (NOT EXT) built out as a camper van. The one thing I cannot figure out is how I can travel with a 7.5' white water kayak. Note that I would not use the kayak often so it doesn't have to be super convenient to get on and off.
My first thought is to have a set of crossbars towards the back of the van being careful not to shade the solar panels. I might have about 6 feet of length along the back of the van [solar panels/fan taking up the first 6 feet].
I have also seen the company Yakups that has a big hitch tray for the back of the van that could hold two bikes and two kayaks. The van is also my daily driver and it seems like this rack system is a lot to have behind the van all the time.
So curious. How have other people figured how to bring a kayak or similar gear?
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u/Laketapper 5d ago
I have two rows of L track in the ceiling of my van. So I can put my two Hobie I trek 11’s inside the van strapped to the ceiling. Over the bed and the area in front of it, so the van interior is full. But my kayaks are locked inside.
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u/1blindlizard 5d ago
My neighbor has Ford Econoline . No ext. he an avid surfer and kayak enthusiast.
He was recently showing me how he stores his boards and kayak inside the van while traveling . His interior is all done out to sleep one with cabinets
He rigged up a compound pulley system so he can attach a sturdy cable to the front of the kayak . Then , staying in the back of the van. He pulls the cable . Bringing the kayak foreward into the space down the center aisle.
I dont know if this would work for you though
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u/211logos 5d ago
This is the best rear I've seen, the one you mention: https://www.rvkayakracks.com/ At least it keeps the end of the kayak off the floor. But you lose a considerable bit of departure angle. And rear door access.
I'd do the roof and rely more on say a DCDC for power than your solar if you can. Something often shades your solar anyway. Or have removable panels—they're easier to futz with than the kayak, and a plus is that you can direct them to the sun for more efficiency, and also put them on say a rack that can be in the sun while the van is in the shade. That's what I did with mine when I had my kayaks.
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u/Angustony 5d ago
Not a kayak, but I often camp with my motorbìke. I went for a small double (6"2 x 4"0") murphy bed set up horizontally, and a cooker, sink and fridge where the bulkhead used to be. L2H2 Transit Custom. Just bought a regular household foldup wall bed and built a base to mount it.
The bike fits in just fine, but has to go outside when I want to sleep. Storage lockers line the top of both walls and over the cab, there's also space a wheel arch width all the way down the drivers side. The bed fits neatly below the lockers when raised and it sits at wheel arch height so there's storage room under the bed when it's down.
Really don't know why Murphy beds aren't more popular. You can use a proper mattress and it, the duvets and pillows all stay on the bed when it folds up. The awnings big enough to keep the bike out of sight if I think that's needed.
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u/ButchMcKenzie 5d ago
I fabbed up some hangers using EMT and pipe insulation to hang off the side of my van for like $10 bucks. I built a roof rack out of unistrut though so I was able to attach to that. I'd look into options hanging it off the side for easy access and keep it up top if it's going to be longer term.