Best Kayak Trailer On The Market in 2021 – Top 5 Reviews
What is the best kayak trailer you can buy in 2021? As with many products, it really does come down to your own specific needs. The main one being the number of kayaks you wish to tow.
That being said, some universal features on any kayak trailer buyer’s checklist would be sturdy design, reliable mounts, and an affordable price point.
For this in-depth review roundup, we have selected 5 top-rated kayak trailers to give you the ultimate low down.
For our findings at a glance, just head to the table below. For detailed information on each of our top choice trailers, keep on reading.
Best Kayak Trailer – Top 5
Kayak Trailer Reviews
Getting the right Kayak trailer can be tough but here we will provide you with the top 5 trailers with in-depth assessment and analysis into their size, weight, carrying capacity and material design quality.
We will also give you their benefits and shortcomings enabling you to choose the best among them and have a fantastic kayaking experience with no worries about how you will move your kayak around.
The following are some of the best Kayak trailers you will find on the market in 2021.
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1. EDITOR’S CHOICE: RIGHT ON TRAILER Multisport Multi-Rack Kayak Trailer
The RIGHT ON TRAILER Multisport Multi-Rack Kayak is among the best trailer for carrying multiple accessories whether its 3 kayaks and 5 bicycles or 4 kayaks and 6 bicycles the decision lies with you and how you will arrange them on the trailer.
Its ability to carry these many accessories is boosted by an extra top rack that allows you to add more kayaks or bicycles at the top.
It has 64 inch wide crossbars that provide maximum support for your kayaks and bicycles. These crossbars are the widest part of the trailer otherwise without their consideration in measurement it would be about 55 inches wide.
It also features a fold-up locking tongue stand. This trailer weighs about 162 pounds making it very light and the best part is this does not affect your travels.
Its robust well-designed rack absorbs vibration on the road giving you a smooth ride and making it feel like there is absolutely nothing being towed behind your car.
- It is a durable design from Right On. This trailer has a powder coat finish which boosts its durability and prevents rust.
- It is very easy to load. There is no complexity whatsoever in loading this trailer.
- It is easy to assemble. The instructions provided are easy to follow making it easy for you to assemble it. This may take you around 5 to 6 hours at most to finish.
- It is lightweight. Despite being lightweight, this trailer causes no disruption during travel. You might even think you forgot to attach it to your car.
- It can hold a large number of kayaks and bicycles. This trailer can hold a lot of kayaks making it very efficient and reliable compared to some of the other trailers.
- It has tough tires. These tires combined with the vibration absorbent rack allows you to travel at high speeds without having to worry about the trailer.
- Its materials are of high quality. You will notice this as you assemble it. This also increases its durability.
- Although most of its parts are of high quality, the harness wires are of low quality.
Bottom line
The RIGHT ON TRAILER Multisport Multi-Rack Kayak may have a simple design but its advantages are immense. It is very efficient and certainly a kayak trailer to be considered when you are looking to purchase one.
2. Malone Auto Racks Microsport Trailer Kayak Transport Package with 4 Malone J-Pro 2 Kayak Carriers
Manufactured by Malone Racks, this Kayak trailer can be used for kayaks, cargo boxes, canoes, and bicycles too.
It weighs up to 250 pounds on its own and can carry a load capacity of up to 350lb. The trailer is 164 inches long and 78 inches wide giving you enough space to load your kayaks as you travel.
It also comes equipped with 14 inches galvanized wheels which enables you to travel at high speeds and limits disruption from the trailer.
The Malone Auto Rack Microsport Trailer challenges most of its competitors by being able to transport up to 4 kayaks in a row.
It features 4 pairs of Kayak carriers made in Malone J-Pro 2 J shaped design. This enables you to comfortably fit the 4 kayaks on it.
This kayak trailer has a long tongue allowing you to carry longer Kayaks. The tongue can also be shortened hence reducing the overall length of the trailer in case it takes up a lot of space in your garage or basement.
The fact that the tongue can be shortened also helps you to determine the best length to use when traveling with the trailer at the back so you will be able to make better and easier turns while on the road.
- It is rust-resistant. Most of its parts are made up of galvanized metal which helps reduce rust.
- It is easy to put together. It takes about 3 hours or 4 at most to assemble it. The instructions provided are very easy to comprehend.
- It is easy to use. Loading and traveling with this kayak trailer is quite easy.
- The wheels are strong enough to endure long rides and high speeds.
- It can carry up to 4 kayaks at a go. This multiple kayak carrying capability makes it very reliable. – It has an impeccable design.
- The load bars lack some bit of stability. This can be a problem when carrying heavy kayaks.
- You can only carry kayaks of up to 20 feet. This can be a problem in case you need to carry something longer.
- It comes with a 4 pin harness so if your vehicle uses more you will need to purchase an adapter.
Bottom line
The Malone Auto Rack Microsport Trailer is a high-quality kayak trailer.
It gives you enough space to carry up to 4 kayaks and allows you to travel smoothly eliminating any fears of your kayak or cargo falling off as they are firmly held onto it. It is definitely a recommendable kayak trailer for anyone.
3. Ruff-Sport Trailer- Galvanized finish for Kayak, bicycle and SUP
The Ruff-Sport Trailer is a simple kayak trailer designed to carry boards, kayaks, bicycles and Sup’s. It can carry up to 6 kayaks which quite good. You can also carry bicycles on top of the kayaks.
This trailer weighs around 200lbs which means it a light trailer. It features 64 inch wide crossbars designed to provide enough support for your kayaks, boards, and bicycles. It also has big 12-4.80 wheels which ensure easier and faster movement as you travel.
The Ruff-Sport Trailer has a carrying capacity of up to 400 pounds and is suited to carry kayaks of up to 15 feet long.
Its frames are tough and well-built and it also has soft springs. These frames and springs help to absorb vibration on the road.
This trailer also comes with an LED light kit that is designed to operate even when submerged and has a fold-up locking tongue stand.
- It has a galvanized finish. This ensures that there is no corrosion when it comes into contact with soft water.
- It can carry many kayaks. This trailer can carry up to 6 kayaks hence it is quite reliable and convenient when you are going fishing with friends.
- Good quality material. Most of its parts are made up of silver galvanized steel making it a good quality kayak trailer.
- It is easy to load. You just have to place your kayaks on the trailer and ensure they are well strapped to prevent them from falling off.
- It is easy to assemble. It takes about 3 to 5 hours to assemble this trailer and with the instructions it is quite easy.
- It is very light hence this becomes a problem when you hit a bump sometimes
- Since it can carry kayaks of up to 15 feet this might be a problem if you want to carry something larger than that.
Bottom line
The Ruff-Sport Trailer is a wonderful kayak trailer. It is simple and easy to maintain and also gives you a good experience when traveling.
Its light nature is both an advantage and a disadvantage and hence should not deter you from giving it a try. The trailer despite being simple it is quite powerful.
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4. Malone Xtralight 2 Kayak Package with V Style Kayak Carriers
The Malone Xtralight kayak carrier is manufactured by Malone auto racks and can be identified by the unique V shaped racks it possesses.
These racks are designed to ensure optimum protection of your kayaks as you go for that long or short fishing trip.
It is able to carry kayaks of up to 15 feet long making it a reliable kayak carrier for many. Its square bars are 47 inches long and 58 inches wide providing a good amount of space for your kayaks.
The measurement of the whole trailer is 15 feet long. The extended tongue itself measures up to 7 and a half inches.
This extra long tongue comes in very handy when taking turns on the road. The carrying capacity of this trailer is 275lbs which is quite a small capacity compared to its counterparts.
The weight of this trailer is 164 pounds when there is absolutely nothing on it meaning it is a lightweight kayak trailer and also it features DOT approved lighting for safety while on the road.
- It is easy to load. You can safely and easily secure your kayaks on the trailer.
- It is lightweight. This will give you an easier time when moving it to or from your garage or the storage place.
- It is easy to put together. The instructions are well-illustrated for you and will take about 3 to 4 hours to complete.
- There is limited rusting of parts. It has a galvanized steel frames and parts which helps prevent rusting of the trailer.
- It has a perfectly executed design.
- It carries lesser kayaks compared to other kayaks. This kayak is not designed to carry a large number of kayaks.
Bottom line
The Malone Xtralight kayak trailer is a beautifully designed kayak trailer and with extra measures taken to ensure the safety of your kayaks such as the V-shaped racks installed on it.
It is light, easy to load and durable. Given all these advantages it is a kayak trailer worth considering.
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5. Ironton Personal Watercraft and Boat Trailer Kit- 610lb load capacity
This trailer from Ironton as its name clearly states is suitable for personal watercraft and Boat. This is a perfect trailer to carry your Jet ski on.
Its is 77 and a quarter inches long and 40 and a quarter inches wide giving you a good amount of space for your boat or jet ski.
Its carrying capacity is 610 pounds meaning it is well suited to carry that heavy watercraft you have. Both the frame and the deck are made of steel which makes it very durable.
The trailer has 2-12 inch tires enabling it to move smoothly on the road without causing any problems for you as you go for your fishing trip.
It also has 100% approved DOT lighting for safety on the road.
- It is easy to set up. This trailer is very easy to assemble as long as you follow the instructions given.
- It is durable. Its white powder coat finish means that the trailer is not easily susceptible to rust. – It is very light. This is an advantage when it comes to mobility.
- The 12 inch tires are very tough ensuring the trailer moves on the road with limited problems. – It is quite simple to load and offload your watercraft.
- It is a budget-friendly trailer. This trailer is affordable compared to many others.
- It is unsuitable for long kayaks. It can hold a 13-foot kayak fine but anything longer may prove to be a problem as the kayak or boat may hang at the back.
Bottom line
The Ironton Personal Watercraft and Boat Trailer is the ideal trailer for all the people out there who love skiing. It is both lightweight and affordable.
The fact that it also has a striking appearance should give you all the more reason why you should look to purchase it.
Kayak Trailer Buyer’s Guide
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As with any substantial purchase, you will want to do your research before handing over your hard-earned money for a particular product.
Buying a kayak trailer is no different. There are a number of considerations you need to take into account when choosing the right model for you.
So let’s dive in and discuss what these are
How many Kayaks will your trailer need to carry?
The manufacturer will often state the carrying capacity of the trailer. It will also be evident in both size, mounts and overall weight capacity – (all of which should be made very clear in the specifications.
The most common configuration is 2 or 4 kayaks.
However, it can get a little more confusing with trailers that can be used as multi-purpose transportation. You will certainly come across some that are advertised as being able to carry paddleboards, bikes, canoes, jet-skis, and even small boats.
Essentially, think about how many kayaks you need to carry and ensure that you check the capacity of the trailer you are interested in.
What is the Tire/ Wheel Size of the kayak trailer?
Tire and wheel size will have an impact on your ground clearance. This, of course, will help determine the type of terrain you can drive over.
So while larger wheels are great for those that are likely to be off-road before hitting the water; these are generally more expensive to maintain and replace.
Smaller wheels, however, are cheaper to buy in the first place. The lower clearance is fine if the roads you are using are in good condition; not so great for the more challenging terrain.
We recommend that you opt for a larger wheeled kayak trailer in order to never be caught short.
Kayak Trailer Tongue Size?
A longer trailer tongue provides more distance between the axle and the hitch.
This is important if you are going to be carrying kayaks with longer specifications, such as a Sea Kayak or maybe even a tandem.
If you only have shorter kayaks, the trailer tongue size is less relevant; however, it is worth remembering that long tongues are more difficult to control in reverse.
Will your towing vehicle engine support the trailer
Overall weight, (fully loaded) is another important consideration before you purchase a kayak trailer, along with the vehicle size you are planning to use for towing.
In short, the engine size needs to be up to the task or you could end up damaging your vehicle.
If you are using an average-sized family car, a smaller trailer is advised. Conversely, a powerful pick-up truck should have no issues towing whatever sized trailer and cargo you opt to go for.
How handy are you with a tool kit?
There are a lot of trailers on the market that requires assembly after purchase. This is especially true of models that are bought online.
If you feel comfortable with tools and piecing the trailer together (in a way that is road safe compliant); the assembly time will not be such an over-riding factor.
However, if these issues make you nervous, (and you don’t have a helpful mechanic friend on standby); an easy to assembly kit will be preferred.
Where will you be storing it?
To keep your kayak trailer in tip-top condition you will want to store it somewhere safe and dry.
This could be in the form of a temporary canopy, or better still an actual garage or carport.
Again size can be an issue here and it makes sense to really only go for a trailer size that you actually need, (the smaller the trailer, the easier it is to store).
Whatever you opt for, you should have a storage solution in mind before you buy it.
Extra features to look out for…
Because of the wide range of kayak trailers available, you will find different features across them all. Knowing what some of these are, could help direct your search towards the best trailer for your needs.
- Extra storage space set beneath where the kayaks are mounted
- Upgraded cross bars with extra width to allow for a more versatile carrying ability
- Retractable tongues making the trailer easier to store
- Spare tire included and mounted straight from the factory
- Better build quality with more durable, rust-proof materials
- Stronger springs such as epoxy springs.
- Padded and protected mount areas to help ensure your kayaks do not get scratched.
Wrapping Up
We hope that this list has provided you with all you needed to know about the top kayak trailers and so next time you go fishing with your friends don’t admire their trailers pick your own from the list and let them get captivated by your amazing kayak trailer.
Further Information
- Video: Best way to transport a kayak
- Video: Fierce Kayaking Kayak Trailer Storage & Security Tips
- kayakfishingsupplies.com: A complete guide to transporting your kayak
- SimplifiedBuilding.com: Build Your Own Kayak Trailer: Utility Trailer Conversion