If you're trying to figure out how to haul your boats without blocking your hitch, a 5th wheel kayak carrier is basically the missing piece of the puzzle. It's a common headache for anyone who loves the RV life but also wants to spend time on the water. Unlike a standard travel trailer where you might have some extra bed space in the truck, a 5th wheel takes up that prime real estate right over the rear axle. You can't just throw the kayaks in the back and call it a day because the nose of the trailer needs that room to swing.
Finding a way to bring your gear along requires a bit of creativity and the right hardware. Honestly, it's one of those things where you have to balance convenience with safety, because the last thing you want is a 12-foot kayak flying off while you're doing 65 down the interstate.
The struggle of limited space
The biggest issue with 5th wheels is the geometry. Since the trailer connects inside the truck bed, you lose most of your hauling capacity for long items. Some people try to squeeze a kayak into the basement storage of their RV, but unless you're rocking a pair of tiny whitewater boats or high-end inflatables, that's usually a no-go.
Most of us have hardshell kayaks that are 10 to 14 feet long. That length is awkward. If you put them on the truck roof, they might interfere with the trailer's front cap during tight turns. If you hang them off the back of the RV, you're adding a ton of length to your setup and potentially stressing the rear bumper. This is why choosing a specific 5th wheel kayak carrier style is so important—it's about finding the one "sweet spot" where the boat fits without hitting anything else.
Vertical rear mounts are a popular choice
One of the most common solutions you'll see at the campground is the vertical hitch rack. This type of 5th wheel kayak carrier plugs into the rear hitch of the trailer itself. Instead of the kayaks laying flat, they stand up vertically, almost like they're standing on their tails.
This setup is great because it keeps the width of your rig narrow. You don't have to worry about clipping a sign or a tree branch on a narrow road. However, there is a catch. You have to be incredibly mindful of your total height. If your RV is already 13 feet tall and your kayaks stick up another two feet, you're going to have a very bad time at the first low-clearance bridge you encounter.
Also, most factory bumpers on 5th wheels aren't exactly "heavy duty." They're often just thin square tubing held on by a few welds. If you're going to hang two heavy kayaks off the back, you really should look into reinforcing that hitch or having a frame-mounted receiver installed. It's a bit of an extra cost upfront, but it beats seeing your kayaks bouncing down the highway in your rearview mirror.
Front-mounted racks for the truck
If the back of the trailer feels too risky or crowded, a lot of folks turn to the front of the truck. You can actually install a hitch receiver on the front bumper of most heavy-duty pickups. Once that's in place, you can use a goalpost-style 5th wheel kayak carrier.
This setup usually involves one rack in the front hitch and another rack on the roof of the truck cab. The kayaks sit over the hood and the roof. It looks a little goofy at first, but it's actually really functional. It keeps the kayaks completely clear of the 5th wheel, meaning you don't have to worry about clearance issues when you're backing into a tight campsite.
The main downside here is visibility. Having two boats hovering over your hood can be a little distracting, and they'll definitely collect a graveyard of bugs by the time you reach your destination. You also have to make sure they're tied down tight so they don't vibrate or "whistle" in the wind, which can drive you crazy on a ten-hour drive.
Roof racks and the clearance dance
If you have a long-bed truck and a 5th wheel with a somewhat aerodynamic front cap, you might be able to get away with a standard roof rack. But man, you have to measure this carefully. You need to account for the "swing" of the trailer. When you make a sharp turn, the corner of the 5th wheel moves forward toward the cab of the truck.
If your 5th wheel kayak carrier sits too far back on the cab, the trailer will crunch right into your expensive kayaks the first time you try to back into a driveway. Most people who go this route use a rack that shifts the kayaks as far forward as possible, sometimes even sticking out over the windshield. It's all about protecting that "turning radius."
What about ladder-mounted racks?
You've probably seen those racks that hook onto the permanent ladder on the back of the RV. These are usually the cheapest and easiest to install. You just clamp them on, strap the boat in, and go.
While they're fine for lightweight paddleboards or very short, light kayaks, I'd be careful using them for heavy fishing kayaks. Those ladders are usually rated for a couple hundred pounds of static weight (a person climbing), but the constant bouncing and "yanking" of a heavy kayak while driving puts a different kind of stress on the screws holding that ladder to the back wall. If you go this route, check your screws and seals frequently to make sure nothing is pulling away from the fiberglass.
Security and peace of mind
No matter which 5th wheel kayak carrier you pick, you've got to think about security. Kayaks aren't cheap, and they're surprisingly easy to steal if they're just held on by a couple of cam straps.
I always recommend using locking cables. Loop them through the scupper holes or the carry handles and lock them directly to the rack or the trailer frame. It won't stop a determined thief with heavy-duty bolt cutters, but it'll stop the "crime of opportunity" when you're grabbed a burger at a rest stop.
Also, think about the straps themselves. Over-tightening a hardshell kayak in the hot sun can actually warp the hull—it's called "oil canning." You want it snug enough that it doesn't move, but you don't need to crank it down like you're trying to crush it. Using high-quality ratcheting straps or heavy-duty cam straps with padding will save your boats and your rack in the long run.
Is a custom solution the way to go?
Sometimes, the "off the shelf" options just don't cut it. Maybe you have a weirdly shaped trailer or you're hauling three or four boats at once. In those cases, a lot of 5th wheel owners head to a local welding shop.
A custom-fabricated 5th wheel kayak carrier can be built to bolt directly to your trailer's frame. This is usually the sturdiest option by far. You can have it designed to swing out of the way so you can still access your rear storage or ladder. It's more of an investment, but if you're a full-timer or a frequent traveler, the reliability of a custom steel rack is hard to beat.
Wrapping it up
At the end of the day, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The best 5th wheel kayak carrier for me might not work for you depending on your truck's cab size, your trailer's length, and how much heavy lifting you're willing to do.
If you hate lifting things over your head, a rear-mounted vertical rack is probably your best bet. If you're worried about the weight on the back of your rig, look at the front-hitch goalpost setup. Whichever way you go, just make sure to double-check your clearances and tighten those straps every time you stop for gas. There's nothing quite like the feeling of hitting the water after a long drive, and having your own gear with you makes the trip that much better.