Kayaking is fun for enthusiasts and even beginners. It is an adventure in itself, but you also need a fair amount of gear and planning to make it go smoothly. While I cannot account for planning, what I can do is help with your gear recommendations and you should start with the best kayak trailer.
Kayak trailers are almost a must if you have some heavy kayaks which you need to move around, or if you want to explore different locations, rivers, ponds, and so on. A trailer for kayaks should have enough capacity and be long enough to accommodate your boat of choice and even more of them. It should be durable, resistant to rust and corrosion that can occur after exposing it to seawater, and easy to use and maneuver around. Sounds like a dream? Let’s get this dream started then!
Top 7 Best Kayak Trailer Reviews in 2022
So, if you’re having trouble transporting a heavy kayak on the roof of your car, then maybe you should consider acquiring some additional saddles that make the job easier or even purchase a full-size trailer for kayaks.
If all your family members are great fans of this sport, then you should consider a top-rated kayak trailer that can fit more than one boat at a time. There are many options around and, in the following, we will help you navigate them with ease.
1. Ironton Personal Watercraft Trailer Kit
This Ironton trailer is a top pick as far as personal watercraft and boats are included. It is quite versatile, you can carry your boat, kayak, or even jet ski on it. Also, it is a little over 77 inches long and has a width of about 40 inches.
It can carry up to 610 pounds, so you can fit a heavy watercraft on it and it will manage the job. Moreover, it is quite lightweight itself, so it won’t add much to the weight of the boat. In fact, this Ironton product might very well be the best lightweight kayak trailer on the market right now.
Moreover, it’s got 100% approved DOT lighting for driving safely on the road with it. In matters of design, it is rather simple, but the load capacity is quite impressive for its actual size. It can handle surfboards or other personal watercraft without a problem. The frame is made of steel coated into a kind of smooth finish.
The coating makes it more durable than regular paint and that’s a plus. As part of the package, you’ll also get a hardware kit, a safety chain, and some protective fenders. If you are concerned about the brand, you should know that Ironton has been making trailers for several years now and they have got plenty of options on the market at the moment.
They’re not the most famed, but they’re pretty good as a company. This very Ironton Personal Watercraft and boat trailer might be a very good example. You should also know that the trailer comes with 12” tires as standard, and it doesn’t have crossbars. This might be about everything notable about this best kayak trailer. So, let’s wrap it up.
Strengths :
- Pretty impressive weight capacity
- The frame is powder-coated for extra durability
- It is quite easy to set up
- The 12-inch tires look pretty tough and like they could handle rough terrain without a problem
Weaknesses:
- It might not be too good for kayaks longer than 13 feet, as they’ll hang at the back and maybe make the trailer a little bit unstable
Also Read: Best Towable Tubes – Have Fun on the Water
2. Ultra-Tow Folding Utility Trailer Kit
If you’re looking for the best cheap kayak trailer on the market right now, then you should consider this Ultra-Tow 4ft. x 8ft. folding aluminum utility trailer.
Indeed, the utility is the name of the game here, because this product right here is made to carry almost everything around, well, almost… It’s got an aluminum frame that is rustproof and can fold for convenient storage. The main bed is 4ft. x 8ft. and the payload capacity is 1,170 lbs.
It comes with 12’’ tires, a hardware kit, and an LED light kit with a flat 4-wire harness and connector. You can also add your own decking for a more customized heavy-duty experience. The product ships in three boxes and you’ll need to assembly it yourself. Decking is not included in the package.
Strengths
- It’s got aluminum wheel fenders for preventing damage to the cargo
- It’s got a rustproof aluminum frame
- It can fold for convenient storage
- It comes with a light kit
Weaknesses
- The rear light protection is flimsy
3. YAKIMA BigCatch Kayak Fishing Boat
Ok, this is not one of your usual best kayak trailers, but rather a different kind of build. It consists of a couple of saddles for roof racks and trailers, specially designed to support some extra weight of fishing or sit-on-top kayaks. The set comes with an oversized cradle which protects the boat, while conforming to its hull shape.
It can support 150 lbs. capacity, so it can fit even the heaviest kayaks. It can be installed and removed quite easily, thanks to its heavy-duty straps and bow and stern tie-towns. Important note. If you buy it for a T-slot crossbars car, then you should also purchase the Yakima SmarT-Slot kit 4 which they sell separately.
Strengths
- Very easy to install and remove
- They look like they will hold your fishing kayak in place, without much moving or bouncing around
- High-quality build and stability
Weaknesses
- The wide straps will vibrate around in the wind and it can get on your nerves at times
4. Right-On Trailer Multi-sport Kayak Trailer
If versatility matters to you, then this trailer may be worth considering. The Right-On trailer is a very versatile trailer that can be used for various purposes. The sturdy base frame can carry small boats, kayaks, bicycles, cargo boxes, and many more. There are plenty of options like a box rack and a multi-sport box rack.
You can buy a fully assembled version, or you can choose to assemble it yourself. The plethora of add-on options and accessories make this an excellent choice for those that want a boat trailer to transport more than one kayak or bicycle and other equipment.
Strengths
- It has many accessories for a wide variety of uses
- Highly versatile
- Sturdy base frame rated for use on highways
- Easy to assemble
Weaknesses
- Almost none, except that the powder coating chips off in some cases.
Also Read: What is a Tandem Kayak – Ideal for Fishing
5. CE Smith Multi-sport Trailer
This sturdy 200-pound multi-sport trailer has all you need to transport small boats, kayaks, personal watercraft (PWC), and inflatable up to 12 feet long. The bed of the trailer has adjustable 5-foot carpeted bunk boards to cushion the craft you are transporting.
This CE Smith trailer can transport craft up to 800 lbs. It comes with a winch, winch stand, and hook, and strap. To ensure safety, the hitch coupler comes with safety chains and DOT-approved tail lights.
The tires on the trailer are rated for use on the highway. It is one of the sturdiest trailers available and is quite popular. The trailer has garnered many positive reviews for its heavy-duty build, easy assembly, and excellent performance.
Strengths
- Superb build quality
- Strong and sturdy
- Easy assembly
Weaknesses
- The wiring diagram for the lights needs to be updated for easy assembly
6. BRIS Boat Launching Trailer
As far as a folding kayak trailer is concerned, this product from BRIS is a “cute” and handy one. It can carry about 100 kgs and boats up to 11 ft long. It comes with a set of two 16’’ pneumatic tires and a stainless steel frame.
This is not actually a trailer, it’s more of a dolly and the manufacturer strongly advises against towing it behind a vehicle. So, you might wonder why we’re featuring it here. Well, the reason is simple.
This product is mainly good for launching your inflatable boat to the water and making your life easier in that aspect. It is not a trailer that will help you move your kayak over dozens of kilometers, but rather an easy and practical way of moving your boat alone on short distances and from your cabin to the lake and so on.
Strengths
- Nimble and easy to maneuver back and forth
- Lightweight
- Good for getting a big inflatable boat from the car to the water
Weaknesses
- The wheel bearings are made of cheap plastic
Also Read: Best Boat Trailer Tires For Safety and Durability
7. BRIS Boat Launching Dolly Hand Trailer
Now, the last product on our list has got some of the best kayak trailer reviews and it deserves to be mentioned. It is another dolly for launching your boat to the water, and for an easy carrying experience from the boat to the lake.
The recommended max. weight it can carry is somewhere around 160Kgs. It can fit boats up to 14ft in length. The frame and hardware are made of stainless steel. As with launching dollies in general, you are advised not to haul them to cars.
Now, purchasing this dolly will not save you from purchasing another kayak trailer to attach to the car, unless you have a nice cabin by the lake somewhere and all your boats are placed there. To wrap it up, here’s what we liked and didn’t like about this product:
Strengths
- Easy and fast assembly and disassembly, and when disassembled it looks like it will take a small amount of your storage space
- It works well for putting your inflatable kayak to and out of the water
- Simple design which permits modifications; for example, you can convert it so that you can pull it with your car, but none of this is covered by the warranty and you have to really know what you’re doing
Weaknesses
- We’re not sure it is corrosion-resistant and the wheels look rather flimsy
Frequently Asked Questions About Kayak Trailers
Q: What Materials Are Best for Kayak Trailers?
A: Most kayak trailers are made of aluminum or steel. An aluminum trailer will be lightweight, won’t rust, and prove great durability. Furthermore, they might have high load capacities. However, if you’re looking for the best cheap kayak trailer, you won’t find an aluminum one on the list.
A mid-range kayak trailer will be made of steel that is galvanized and thus more resistant to corrosion and rust. The most inexpensive trailers will be made just of steel, non-galvanized.
Q: Does My Kayak Trailer Need to Match the Length of My Kayak?
A: Well, if your trailer is too short compared to your kayak, then chances are it won’t do the job properly. As a rule of thumb, you need to get a trailer that is close in length to your kayak.
Q: Should I Buy a Kayak Trailer Without Built-in Racks?
A: It’s up to you, really. If the price is ok and you’ve already got some spare racks or can purchase ones pretty easily, yes, you should. There’s one thing you should keep in mind, though, and that is the max. load capacity. You should take into consideration the weight of the additional racks in this case.
Q: What Is the Price of the Kayak Trailer?
A: The price of a kayak trailer depends on the feature it provides; for instance, if they offer more storage, weight capacity, and deluxe rigs, they would cost more than a hundred thousand dollars. But if they do not have these exclusive features, they would cost less, around a thousand dollars only.
Q: What Is the Weight of a Kayak Trailer?
A: The weight of the kayak trailer is usually based on the size of the trailer. These kayak trailers weigh between 100 to 400 pounds when they are not loaded with kayaks or canoes. And if we talk about the average weight of the kayak trailer, it is around 200 pounds. Moreover, if the trailer can hold more than one kayak, it will weigh more.
Q: How Much Can Your Kayak Trailer Hold?
A: It depends on how many kayaks your trailer can fit. If we talk about a single kayak trailer, it can hold a weight equal to 900 pounds, whereas a double kayak trailer can have more than 1 thousand pounds. Lastly, four kayak trailers can carry kayaks that weigh more than 1200 pounds to 1600 pounds. You have to make sure of one thing and that it does not exceed the weight limit of your trailer.
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It’s Not Difficult Choosing the Best Kayak Trailer
Once you figure out what you want from a kayak trailer, and if you want to be able to carry more kayaks, if you use it often, or just want a dolly to put the boat to the water and take it from water, making the purchasing is rather easy. We hope our little round-up of the best trailers for kayaks has also helped you. Happy kayaking with your best kayak trailer!
