There are a variety of ways to transport a kayak these days. With the advancement of accessories and the size of kayaks used in fishing, a trailer can be a very simple method of launching your kayak from the ramp. Kayak trailers have seen advancements as well with additional storage areas for gear and rods. Some even have lights installed for prepping kayaks before launching into a tournament at first light. Prices can vary from a few hundred to thousands of dollars depending on your needs. Some anglers will fabricate their own trailers modified from jet ski or boat haulers. With so many more options to choose from in the last few years you might ask yourself which is best for your needs? This article will give you the information on the best kayak trailers so you can make an educated decision on a trailer that will host your kayak.
- Most Popular: Malone Trailers
- Best Overall: Tennessee Trailer
- Best For The Avid Angler: On The Water Innovations and JD Custom Kayak Trailers
- Best Budget: CE Smith Trailers
- Honorable Mentions: Yakima and Fish TX
Questions to keep in mind when looking for a kayak trailer:
- How well will the kayak ride on the trailer?
- What attachments will keep the kayak on the trailer securely?
- What size of kayak will the trailer handle?
- Can I load the kayak myself?
- Will the trailer handle multiple kayaks?
- What is the material used to build the kayak trailer?
- What size of tires should I get?
- What kayak trailer is best for those on a budget?
- Is the kayak trailer built to handle short or long trips?
Before purchasing your kayak trailer it might be wise to create a list of the options you will need to haul your kayak(s). Considerations should be made for the size of trailer, tires, material the kayak is made of, and of course, how much you are willing to spend. Some kayak trailers are designed for the angler in mind and offer several options such as storage boxes, rod holders, and light systems. Some are designed to haul numerous kayaks for larger groups.
Some of the most popular kayak trailers are made of higher quality metal mainly due to the trailer entering the water when launching your kayak. Below are some great examples of kayak trailers to consider to meet your needs in hauling your kayaks.
MOST POPULAR: MALONE TRAILERS
With a wide variety of models the Malone brand kayak trailer could be considered one of the most popular across the country. These trailers can range in price from $2,000 to a little more than $5,000. They are made of a marine grade galvanized 11 gauge steel and are built to last for years along with a 5 year warranty.
Models include the EcoLight, MicroSport, MicroSport LowBed, MegaSport, and the MegaSport LowBed.
The Malone Trailers offer great quality and reliability for the kayak angler while fitting most budgets. It arrives as a kit and is easily assembled in three to four hours with ordinary tools. It
Specs for Micro Sport Base Trailer:
- Load Capacity
- Dimensions: 13’3” (length)
- Width: 55” Without Crossbars
- Frame Width Assembled: 40” within Fenders
- Weight: 197 lb Without accessories
- Frame: Marine grade galvanized steel
- Hitch: 2” Class II receiver
- Tongue Weight (Unloaded): 25 lb
- Cross Bar Spread: 44” – 63”
- Height of Cross Bars from Ground: 30”
Features:
- Pre-assembled hubs for a clean and simple installation
- 12” galvanized wheels with marine grade sealed bearings
- Reinforced steel tongue can transport boats up to 20’ in length
- 11 gauge pre-galvanized steel construction
- 78” steel, 1 ¼” square load bars featuring d-ring tie-downs
- Plug & Play Submersible LED Light Kit
- (2) 12” High Speed Wheels
- (1) Reinforced Steel Tongue
- DOT Approved LED Lighting
- Pre-Tested Electrical System
- Pre-Fitted Chassis Components
- Instruction Manual
- Assembly Required-Multi-Boxed Item-Includes 4 Cartons
- Five-Star Customer Service
- 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Made In USA
- Free Shipping
BEST OVERALL: TENNESSEE TRAILERS
This company has also been around for quite a few years and has developed the “K3 Kayak Trailer” built for both the professional kayak angler and the hobbyist. The welded frame is durable for a lifetime and requires little maintenance. High quality LED lights are installed with a lifetime warranty. The axels are built for those rough back roads and launching from any shoreline. The wheels are 13” aluminum and include radial tires. This trailer is designed to travel at highway speeds and will withstand the many miles a tournament angler puts on a trailer. It also has a nice textured powder coat that gives great protection and looks great!
Specs and Features:
- LED lights with lifetime warranty
- 13” aluminum wheels with highway speed radial tires
- Matching spare
- Steel, all-weld construction
- Marine grade wires and connectors
- Black textured chip resistant powder coat
- Marine jack with swivel wheel for easy moving
- Angler guides or carpeted bunks
- Fully submersible
- Lower launch height
- Grab bar and tongue step for easy launching.
- 8 tie-down points
- 5 on 4.5 hubs
- 2” hitch
- Flat ⅘ connector (4 without flood lights)
Options: There are several K3 Options are offered to ensure your trailer fits your needs.
- Angler guides or carpeted bunks (choose one at no additional cost) N/C
- 2nd Tier cross bars (only available on double)
- Rod Locker – (only available on double)
- Hot dip galvanizing
- Integrated reverse flood lights
Price: $3,500
BEST FOR THE AVID ANGLER: ON THE WATER INNOVATIONS
These are amazingly built trailers that not only look good but also have the highest quality construction and designed with the professional angler in mind. On The Water Innovations specializes in building large or small trailers made of welded steel. These are basically custom built to fit the anglers needs. Most of their kayak trailers are designed and built for the kayak angler in mind but they do produce paddling kayak trailers as well.
Trailer Options:
TOURNEY LIGHT
- Base Price: $2,550
- Dimensions: Length-17’ Width-5’ Height-5.5’ (With uprights)
- Weight: 450 lbs (max weight with all options installed)
- Features and Options: Holds 1 Kayak or Two with Upright options
- Other options at an additional charge include: Uprights, Aluminum Rim Upgrade, Spare Tire, Rod Tubes, Reverse Light Bars, Rigging Lights, Undercarriage Lighting, Retractable Straps, Locking Wheel Nuts, Grease Bolts, Toylok, Mesh Top, Winch, Power Pole Mount, and Carpeted bunks.
*You can check out the gallery on their website for other configurations.
TOURNEY DOUBLE
- Base Price: $3,050
- Dimensions: Length-17’ Width-6.5’ Height-6’(With uprights)
- Weight: 750 lbs (max weight with all options installed)
- Features and Options: Holds 2 kayaks, optional 4 kayaks
- Other options at an additional charge include: Uprights, Aluminum Rim Upgrade, Spare Tire, Rod Tubes, Reverse Light Bars, Rigging Lights, Undercarriage Lighting, Retractable Straps, Locking Wheel Nuts, Grease Bolts, Toylok, Mesh Top, Winch, Power Pole Mount, Removable T Bar, 37” front storage box, and Carpeted bunks.
*You can check out the gallery on their website for other configurations.
TOURNEY TREE-O
- Base Price: $3,650
- Dimensions: Length-17’ Width-6.5’ Height-6’(With uprights)
- Weight: 750 lbs (max weight with all options installed)
- Features and Options: Holds 3 kayaks
- Other options at an additional charge include: Uprights, Aluminum Rim Upgrade, Spare Tire, Rod Tubes, Reverse Light Bars, Rigging Lights, Undercarriage Lighting, Retractable Straps, Locking Wheel Nuts, Grease Bolts, Toylok, Mesh Top, Winch, Power Pole Mount, Removable T Bar, 37” front storage box, and Carpeted bunks.
*You can check out the gallery on their website for other configurations.
TOURNEY GLAMPING
- Base Price: $3,800
- Dimensions: Length-17’ Width-6.5’ Height-6’(With uprights)
- Weight: 850 lbs (max weight with all options installed)
- Features and Options: Holds 3 kayaks
- Other options at an additional charge include: Uprights, Aluminum Rim Upgrade, Spare Tire, Rod Tubes, Reverse Light Bars, Rigging Lights, Undercarriage Lighting, Retractable Straps, Locking Wheel Nuts, Grease Bolts, Toylok, Mesh Top, Winch, Power Pole Mount, Removable T Bar, 37” front storage box, and Carpeted bunks.
*You can check out the gallery on their website for other configurations.
TOURNEY PRO
- Base Price: $3,450
- Dimensions: Length-19’ Width-6.5’ Height-6’(With uprights)
- Weight: 1000 lbs (max weight with all options installed)
- Features and Options: Holds 1 kayak, optional 3 kayaks\
- Other options at an additional charge include: Uprights, Aluminum Rim Upgrade, Spare Tire, Rod Tubes, Reverse Light Bars, Rigging Lights, Undercarriage Lighting, Retractable Straps, Locking Wheel Nuts, Grease Bolts, Toylok, Mesh Full Floor, 96” Side Load Boxes, Receiver Style Cooler Racks, Winch, Power Pole Mount, Removable T Bar, 37” front storage box, J Hooks, and Carpeted bunks.
*You can check out the gallery on their website for other configurations.
H20 CHASER
- Base Price: $2,600
- Dimensions: Length-14’ Width-5’ Height-3’(With uprights)
- Weight: 400 lbs (max weight with all options installed)
- Features and Options: Holds 2 kayaks
- Also includes: J-Hooks (2 sets), Aluminum Wheels, Aluminum Spare, Grease Bolts, Mesh For Gear, and a Welded Tie Down.
Buy On The Water Innovations Trailers
BEST FOR THE AVID ANGLER: JD CUSTOM KAYAK TRAILERS
JD Custom Kayak Trailers specializes in manufacturing custom kayak trailers for kayak anglers. They have been part of the industry since 2023 and operate with the highest of standards. They have much knowledge and experience as a kayak trailer builder and are constantly expanding their product to make it even better. They operate out of Bee Spring, Kentucky and offer three models to choose from to best fit your needs.
Single Kayak Trailer
Base Price: $2,200
Standard Options:
- 2,000 lb 5 lug axle
- Gray steel 12” wheels and tires
- Black plastic fenders with steps
- 2 inch coupler
- Coiled and coated safety chains
- Trailer jack
- Flush mount LED tail lights
- ¾” LED Marker lights
- Weld on tie downs
- Adjustable bunk mounts with tube bunks
- Powder coat (Black/Grey/White)
Double Kayak Trailer
Base Price: $2,800
Standard Options:
- 2,000 lb 5 lug axle
- Gray steel 12” wheels and tires
- Black plastic fenders with steps
- 2 inch coupler
- Coiled and coated safety chains
- Trailer jack
- Flush mount LED tail lights
- ¾” LED Marker lights
- Weld on tie downs
- Adjustable bunk mounts with tube bunks
- Powder coat (Black/Grey/White)
Weekend Warrior Model
Base Price: $1,800
Standard Options:
- 2,000 lb 5 lug axle
- Gray steel 12” wheels and tires
- Black plastic fenders with steps
- 2 inch coupler
- Coiled and coated safety chains
- Trailer jack
- Flush mount LED tail lights
- ¾” LED Marker lights
- Weld on tie downs
- Mesh cooler rack
- Cross Bars
- Powder Coat (Black/Grey/White)
Other Optional Add Ons:
- Standard Options: (Additional charges apply)
- Uprights for extra kayak/ box/ rod tubes
- Upright mesh storage rack
- Winch and roller
- Black machined aluminum 12 inch wheels
- Special color ¾ inch LED under glow lights
- LED rigging lights (for models with uprights only)
- Bolt on retractable ratchet straps
- 7 Way plug option
- LED backup light
- Spare tire and mount
- Yakima topwater rod box
- Custom powder coat
- Dee Zee aluminum toolbox
- Malone J Hooks
- Swing away tongue
- Mesh floor
- Wrapped rod tube
Buy at JD Custom Kayak Trailers
BEST BUDGET: CE SMITH TRAILERS
This multipurpose trailer can haul not only kayaks but also a jon boat, or even a jet ski! Bunks are adjustable and can be set front or back or side to side to hold different types of water craft. The trailer is 13 feet long with 12” wheels and supports boats up to 14’ long and up to 800 pounds.
Specs:
- Gross trailer weight capacity: 800 lbs
- Maximum boat length: 14′
- Overall trailer dimensions: 13′ long x 54″ wide
- Trailer tongue dimensions: 86″ long x 2″ wide x 3″ tall
- Bunk board dimensions: 5′ long x 4″ wide x 2″ tall
- Winch capacity: 1,000 lbs
- Winch strap length: 20″
- 3-Year sun-fade warranty on bunk carpeting
Features:
- Versatile as it can haul just about any type of watercraft
- 5′ Long, carpeted bunk boards support your boat
- Hand crank winch with strap helps you load and unload your boat
- Plug-and-play wiring requires no cutting or splicing to connect
- Submersible LED tail lights are DOT-approved
- Galvanized steel frame and fenders resist rust and corrosion
- Trigger-latch-style coupler attaches to your vehicle’s 2″ hitch ball
- Leaf spring suspension absorbs road shock
- Assembly required – includes hardware, brackets, and wiring
HONORABLE MENTION: YAKIMA TRAILERS
Yakima has a long history of providing top-quality products for hauling kayaks. They have developed two models that are both exceptional in many ways. The Yakimass EasyRider and RackandRoll are both recognized for effortless loading and unloading along with plenty of storage space. They both have very high weight capacities and quality features which make them both a very popular choice among kayak enthusiasts.
Yakima Rack and Roll Trailer – 78”
This kayak trailer is lightweight, can haul both kayaks and bikes, using adjustable crossbars as anchor points. Easily stores in the garage.
Features:
- Crossbar Style
- 6 Kayaks
- 17 Feet Long
- 250 lbs
- 6-½ W x 11L Foot
- Aluminum
Price: $2,998
Yakima Yakamass Easy Rider Kayak Trailer
- Crossbar Style
- 4 Kayaks
- 19 Feet Long
- 500 lbs
- 6-1/2W x 14-1/2L Foot
- Aluminum
Price: $3,398
HONORABLE MENTION: FISH TX TRAILERS
FISH TX, started out building trailers for their own personal use and for a few friends. Their efforts grew into a full fledged business mostly from word of mouth as others noticed what great quality they provided. Now they are manufacturing trailers to all types of anglers all across the country! They take great pride in what they do building custom kayak trailers.
FTK Series Kayak Trailers
Offers tournament ready trailers.
Price: Starts at $4,250
Features:
- Rod Holders
- Storage Boxes
- Adjustable bunks
- Lots of LED’s
- Easy access switches
- Low profile
- Fold away tongue
- Large walking deck
- Upper recessed racks
- More and more storage
- Automatic rachets
- Dozens of tie down locations
CONCLUSION
There are most likely other up and coming kayak trailer manufacturers out there like WGSS Welding-N-Fabrication on the east coast who also build custom trailers. For now, we have a great list here to get you started on finding the trailer that best fits your needs for transporting your kayak.
