Putting Kayaks Above Jetski with a rack?

[3pedalmini]

Since i purchased my jetski last year my family has decided they love the water as much as i do, we now have a few kayakers in the family and we all head down the shore for the day. The only thing is were taking two vehicles which is pretty annoying (and expensive)

So we thought its got to be possible to build a rack above above-the jetski on the trailer to hold them. the rack would obviously have to be easily removable when we pull on and off the jetski. I was stareing at my jetski and it hit me like a ton of bricks that we have half of it done already IE: I have the smith lighted pole brackets installed so i can back up easily at the ramp, we could just extend those up in the back with a longer pip and T fitting. We would purchase another kit for the front supports, then run the 2in pipe along side the ski then do cross supports.

My only hang up is figuring out how make the cross supports strong but easily removable.

Does anyone see an issue with this? my trailer is more then capable and we would still be well within the weight limit of the trailer. I cant be the only one that has thought of putting a kayak or two above the jet ski. They both weigh right around 76lbs a piece. it would make sense, and as long as its strong and stay within the DOT regulations then I dont see an issue with the law.

Maybe someone has come up with something?

TIA :thumbsup:

 

[Hghgrad]

I think it could be done fairly easily if you know how to weld. Possibly easy also if you can figure out a u bolt setup to clamp a set of uprights to the trailer frame. From there, I wouldn't shoot for removable, but something that you can fold out of the way. Less parts to store or forget. Take a look at the way the hitch mounted bicycle carriers fold down and go from there. You could use a pin to hold it in the correct position, that way you wouldn't always have to have it in the folded down position, but you would always have it on the trailer and ready to go.

It could probably be done in an hour, maybe $50 in materials if you've got a scrap steel joint that sells drops. Something that looks like a ladder rack on a work truck, but with the top that folds up and out of the way.

 

[Ronsse610]

weld a custom frame above, easiest way i see it being done!

 

[Strizzo]

set the rack up so that the rear support bar is at or ahead of the ski's handlebars (set them up about as far apart as crossbars on a roof rack on an SUV), and you won't even have to remove the rack to launch the skis.

alternatively, you could put kayaks on top of the tow vehicle too.

 

[bell99man]

I like the folding/pin idea. My yukon is too high for me to load the tandem solo. I have girls so it's solo most of the time. I think a mod similar to the swinging ladder racks would be fantastic. I'm not sure how to fit that to the trailer though.

 

[470]

Buy a ladder rack and mount it between the ski's.