Are you looking for a vertical rack for your kayak? Most kayak racks are horizontal that go on the roof of your vehicle.
However, if you have a camper van or RV, these can be a bit impractical. The height of your roof may make it impossible, or at least extremely difficult, to load up your kayak and take it down.
Besides, you might need the roof of your vehicle for your camping gear, such as your tents. There might be no room on the roof for a kayak.
Fortunately, there are plenty of vertical kayak racks that can be hitched to the rear of your van as well.
These hold the kayaks in an upright position, making it a lot easier to load and unload your kayaks.
Many of them can hold bicycles as well, making it perfect for campers who want to take their bicycles with them. Today, I will be showing you the 10 best vertical kayak racks. Read on for the full list!
Quick Summary
The best vertical kayak racks from Amazon include:
- The ReckPro Vertiyak kayak rack
- The HYPERAX vertical kayak rack
- The KUAFU hitch mount kayak rack
- The ACCPOLS vertical RV kayak rack
In addition, Yakups has many great options, depending on how many kayaks and bikes you want to take with you. Depending on the model, you can hold up to four kayaks, and you can get a custom-made kayak rack.
Best Vertical Kayak Racks for Campers
1. RecPro RV Kayak Rack Vertiyak Hitch Mount Standing Kayak Carrier
This vertical kayak rack from RecPro can carry kayaks and paddleboards up to 12 feet in length.
It mounts to a two-inch hitch receiver and has a beam and upper section made of 14-gauge steel, while the lower section is made of 11-gauge steel.
It’s strong and sturdy and can carry kayaks that weigh up to 150 pounds. The rack itself, though, weighs just 46 pounds.
The RecPro RV Vertiyak has an adjustable height, with a lower loop that can be inserted into three different holes depending on the height you’re aiming for.
It comes with ratchet straps to secure the kayak and an anti-rattle device to protect the kayak from rattling and moving around when on bumpy roads.
At the same time, pool noodles provide padding at the bottom and top to help keep your kayak from getting dinged, scratched, or otherwise damaged.
It is also coated with a powder coating to ensure that the black color from the rack does not rub off on your kayaks or paddleboards.
The rack folds flat, allowing you to remove it and place it in your truck to save on space when not in use. You can fold it flat against your RV as well.
2. HYPERAX Iridium Hitch RV Approved and SUV Hitch Mounted Kayak Rack Carrier
The HYPERAX kayak rack is an excellent vertical kayak rack for RVs. It allows you to carry up to two kayaks, with a limit of 80 pounds per kayak, for a total of 160 pounds of weight.
It fits kayaks that are up to 12 feet long, and foam pads along the metal frame will ensure that your kayak doesn’t get damaged during transport. The adjustable design allows you to fit kayaks of multiple sizes.
The safety strap that is included with the rack comes with reflective materials to help you be seen while driving at night. The anti-wobble device helps prevent shaking, rattling, and wobbling while transporting your kayak.
3. KUAFU Hitch Mount Kayak Rack
A rather affordable option is the KUAFU hitch mount, which is a standing vertical rack that allows you to carry kayaks up to 12 feet long and up to 150 pounds in weight.
It is compatible with two-inch hitch receivers, and it can be used on trucks, RVs, and even SUVs. The steel is impact resistant and durable, with black powder coating to ensure it retains its color and doesn’t rub off on your kayaks.
Furthermore, it is rust-proof, which means that it won’t rust even if you load wet kayaks onto it. The lower hoop can be adjusted, allowing you to choose from three different levels, depending on the length of your kayak.
It’s easy to install this kayak rack; just use screws and follow the installation manual that comes with the package.
4. ACCPOLS Vertical RV Kayak Rack, Kayak Carrier
The ACCPOLS Vertical RV kayak rack can be installed on RVs and allows you to carry kayaks up to 12 feet in length.
It features soft padding on the frame at the top and bottom to pad your kayak and protect it from damage. It can hold up to two kayaks at a time.
However, it can also carry a bicycle. In fact, in addition to the two ratchet straps that are included for securing a kayak, it comes with four ratchet straps designed to secure a bike.
You can carry two kayaks and two bicycles (one on either side) all at the same time.
That makes it perfect for camping, especially if you’re going camping with a friend or partner and are taking two kayaks instead of a tandem kayak. When you are not using the rack, you can fold it to save space.
When you are transporting the kayak, you can benefit from the e-coating and powder coating layers that help ensure your kayak doesn’t get all black and that the color of the rack doesn’t fade.
The rack is also scratch and rust resistant, further increasing its longevity.
5. Yakups Brand Vertical Kayak Rack 2KR37W
This Yakups vertical rack (2KR37W) is sturdy, long-lasting, and comes with a five-year warranty. The frame is made of stainless steel and double-coated to ensure it doesn’t fade.
It’s easy to assemble, as it comes in just three pieces that bolt together. It comes complete with kayak cables, padlocks, and straps for protection.
There is also a front bar that locks into place and secures the kayak during transport; you can open it when you want to remove the kayak from the rack. You can carry kayaks up to 12 feet long and up to 33 inches wide.
In addition to carrying kayaks, you can add up to two bike racks so you can carry a bike as well. However, they don’t come included by default, and you must purchase them separately.
6. Yakups KR2B56S Rack
If you want to carry four kayaks on your camping trip, most kayak racks won’t be sufficient. However, this Yakups kayak rack (KR2B56S) can hold up to four kayaks at a time.
It’s made of stainless steel and can carry kayaks up to 12 feet long and 32 inches wide.
The rack comes in three sections that can be easily assembled without technical expertise, and it comes with extra eye bolts, straps, and padlocks.
7. Yakups Vertical Kayak Rack KR2B56
If you are looking for a kayak rack that can hold bicycles as well, the Yakups Vertical Kayak Rack (KR2B56) is a great choice.
It’s perfect for outdoorsy campers who love a bit of exercise after getting out of the tent in the morning.
The rack comes with a five-year warranty and also includes extras like straps and padlocks.
It can hold two bicycles in the middle and two kayaks on either side, all at the same time.
Make sure to add the bike rack option if you want to transport kayaks, as it is available only as an optional add-on. You can carry two kayaks up to 32 inches wide and at least 6.5 feet long.
8. Yakups RV Vertical Rack E2KR37W
This Yakups kayak rack (E2KR37W) can carry either two kayaks or four paddleboards at the same time. It is compatible with two-inch receivers that have a 5/8 pinhole within two and a half inches of the rear wall.
The rack has a solid two-inch main shaft made of steel, and it comes with watercraft guards to protect your kayaks and paddleboards from damage during transport.
An anti-wobble mechanism is included to prevent your kayak from rattling. It also comes with padlocks, straps, and other equipment you will need.
As I mentioned, it can hold either two kayaks or four paddleboards, but they should be at least seven feet long; it can hold kayaks up to 32 inches wide.
Note that this model doesn’t have a crossbar locking mechanism, so make sure you strap your kayaks securely in place.
9. Yakups Brand Rack
This standard, generic Yakups brand rack can hold up to four bikes and two kayaks/paddleboards at the same time.
It supports bicycles with tires up to 2.8 inches wide and kayaks up to 33 inches wide. The lower bar is two inches wide and designed to support heavy kayaks. It’s perfect for RVs and campers, although you should have a hitch receiver that can handle at least 500 pounds.
10. Custom Built Yakups RV Kayak Rack
If you want a custom-made kayak rack, Yakups can make one for you. Simply tell Yakups what you need – for example, how many kayaks and bikes you need to carry and other specifications, such as load capacity.
You can also order a custom vertical kayak rack specifically designed for your RV or hitch mount. For example, tell the Yakups team what your hitch receiver’s load capacity is, and they will design a custom rack that won’t exceed that limit.
If you have a flat stern kayak, the team can even make a square stern kayak rack. Most kayak racks are designed for sharpened sterns, which can be a problem if you have a flat, square stern. You can also add LED lights and other customizations.
Conclusion
A vertical kayak rack is a great option for campers. It allows you to hitch your kayaks to the back of your camper van, making it easy to load and unload your watercraft.
It’s a great alternative to lift-assist systems, since it also frees up space on the roof of your vehicle for your essential camping gear.
If you go biking, make sure to look for one that can hold bicycles together with your kayaks – Yakups has several of these.
Make sure to securely strap your kayak when using a vertical kayak rack. The last thing you want is for the kayak to fall off the rack and cause an accident.
