Anyone ever get stopped for to much of the kayak protruding past the front or rear bumpers? I have an Excursion but where I want to strap it leaves a good bit hanging over the rear bumper. I like to strap it where the kayak is reducing in width to hold it better. What do you do with a smaller length vehicle?

When do you need a red flag after 2' and the maximum is 4 feet over hang?


thanks!

You need to check with your state patrol on what is allowed. In this state we have to have a one square foot red flag if the load protrudes past the rear of the vehicle by three feet, but it is legal for the load to extend up to sixteen feet beyond the rear axle. If you cross a state border, a two foot square flag is required.

One thing you might want to think about is how the kayak is carried. On edge the kayak will be the most rigid (widest cross section) and will be able to stand more bounce without sustaining possible strain and damage if there is a lot of overhang past the supports.

I always transport my sea kayaks on a trailer on nicely cushioned bunks, on edge. My longest boat extends over seven feet beyond the back of the trailer. It's much easier to load and unload the boats from the trailer and they are under much less strain than when tied down on top of a vehicle.

When I ask law enforcement they have all different answers. Guess I need to look at DOT laws for NY and surrounding states. No way 16 feet past axle would be legal here in NY. Trailer is nice but if you go somewhere you have it tagging along when you go to park visit other things. Mine is deck up on some saddles. Roof racks really don't handle much weight either. I put the poly boats up and it was not good for the roof so I had to shift some weight backwards to protect the roof. My Solstice is about 3 feet past rear bumper.

Dealer has a Yakima trailer and it was 2,000+ but it looks like bicycle tires on it. Granted no real weight but it looks scary for a 65 mph tow. I worry about getting rear ended and have the boats driven into my vehicle.


http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/orsracksdirect_2129_57602877

You can buy an inexpensive set of "strap on" trailer lights from most automotive/farm/hardware stores.

Use a clever system of bungies and zip-ties to attach extra brake lights to your sterns. This way, you are safer, your car is safer, your boats are safer and you are legal in all states.

Dog, my trailer is a flatbed utility trailer. The bed is 5' wide by 8' long and I think the total length of the trailer is about 13 feet. The trailer axel, springs wheels and tires are rated for 3500 lbs. Even with the kayak bunks installed and three kayaks on board, I don't think I'm putting much of a strain on the trailer. My bunks are high enough that it puts the kayaks at windshield height. This ensures that the overhang of the boats will not drag when driveway ramps and such are encountered. It also puts the boats right up in the face of following vehicles.

Of course there is always the chance some careless driver could try to slam his windshield into my kayak, but that is also possible when longer kayaks are roof-topped.

When traveling at freeway speeds the boats are under very little stress, because my pickup bed cap breaks the wind. Consequently, I don't have to tie the boats down so tight. They ride on edge and are supported by upright braces--all are very well padded. As well as tying the boats down, I also have fore and aft restraining ropes. I'm not too concerned about losing a boat by accelerating too fast, but in the case of a panic stop, I wouldn't want to launch a kayak through the back window, or over the top of the truck.

I've never had a problem with parking at launch sites and in worst case scenarios, I detach the trailer and park it next to the truck. It only takes about a minute to do that. However, I do take the precaution of locking a big chain through one of the trailer's wheels. I wouldn't want to return from a nice paddle and find my trailer missing. That of course brings up a whole nuther subject--"safe parking at launch sites." I purposely avoid remote spots.