Kayaks can be very hard to carry, especially if you have a long walk from your car to the water. Even if you’ve mastered the proper carrying technique, it can still put a serious strain on your body. For this reason, investing in the best kayak cart will save you a lot of energy and make kayaking adventures more enjoyable.
Even though the purpose of a kayak cart is pretty straightforward, there are still variations in design that might make one model more suitable than the other. In this article, we will break down everything there is to know about cart design and present the best kayak carts currently available so you can always have a reliable way of getting your kayak to the water.
OUR TOP PICK
RAILBLAZA Ctug Universal
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Rubberized pads adjust easily to any hull shape
- Rugged frame with an excellent weight capacity
- One of the best kayak carts if you have a lot of equipment
- Incredibly easy to assemble and take apart (7 parts)
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Frame: Hard Plastic, Stainless Steel
Wheel Diameter: 10 inches
Tire Width: 3.5 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 10 lbs
EDITORS CHOICE
ABN Universal
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Universal cradle works well with any boat (kayak, canoe, jon boat)
- High-quality inflatable tires roll well over sand, gravel, and wood
- Oversized bumpers ensure that your hull is scratch-free
- Rugged anodized steel frame withstands saltwater well
Weight Capacity: 200 pounds
Frame: Anodized Steel
Wheel Diameter: 9.5 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Pneumatic
Weight: 8 pounds
BEST VALUE
TMS KY001
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Packs down compact for easy storage and transportation
- Tall spring-loaded stand keeps the cart propped
- Two bumpers on each arm prevent abrasion and scratches
- 12-foot tie-down strap included for securing your kayak
Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
Frame: Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Wheel Diameter: 9.5 inches
Tire Width: 3.5 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 8.18 pounds
Bonnlo No-Flat
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Solid PU tires on large kayak wheels
- Two high-quality ratchet straps included
- Spring-loaded stand keeps the cart upright
- Rubber caps on the feet protect the frame
Weight Capacity: 165 pounds
Frame: Anodized Aluminum
Wheel Diameter: 10 inches
Tire Width: 3 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 7.45 pounds
OxGord Caddy
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Airless rubber tires won’t get damaged or punctured
- Strong tie-down strap with a secure cam buckle
- Foam cushions on the hands for additional hull protection
- One-year manufacturer’s warranty if you have any issues
Weight Capacity: 165 pounds
Frame: Corrosion-Resistant Aluminum
Wheel Diameter: 10 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 8.43 pounds
Wistar Canoe and
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Flat-free rubber tires easily roll on soft sand
- Available with a single or a double kickstand
- 13-foot nylon strap keeps the carts secure
- Universal cradle fits almost any kayak or canoe
Weight Capacity: 220 pounds
Frame: Anodized Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Wheel Diameter: 9.5 inches
Tire Width: 3.25 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 9.48 pounds
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Mesh bag makes packing and transportation convenient
- Rubber padding on the arms ensures a damage-free ride
- V-shaped cradle accepts any type of kayak hull
- High-quality 6061-T6 aluminum frame and steel hardware
Weight Capacity: 125 pounds
Frame: Powder-Coated Aluminum
Wheel Diameter: 10 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 10 lbs
RAD Sportz 1236
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Pneumatic tires make the ride softer and more gentle
- Powder-coated aluminum frame easily resists corrosion
- Excellent option as a kayak stand at home or garage
- Double stand with caps keeps the boat securely in place
Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
Frame: Powder-Coated Aluminum
Wheel Diameter: 9.5 inches
Tire Type: Rubber, Pneumatic
Weight: 9 pounds
Bonnlo Inflation Free
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Spring-loaded stand makes loading and unloading easier
- Soft foam pads on each arm protect the kayak hull
- Two ratchet straps for easily securing the kayak in place
- PU wheels to transport kayak roll smoothly across any surface
Weight Capacity: 165 pounds
Frame: Aluminum
Wheel Diameter: 10 inches
Tire Width: 3 inches
Tire Type: PU, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 8.8 pounds
Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Highest weight capacity in our kayak carts reviews (450 pounds)
- Two height settings based on the vessel type
- Kayak wheels cart breaks down to fit into a kayak hatch
- Bunker bar frame offers adjustable width
Weight Capacity: 450 pounds
Frame: Marine-Grade Aluminum
Wheel Diameter: 12 inches
Tire Width: 3.5 inches
Tire Type: Plastic, Non-Inflatable
Weight: 13 pounds
How To Choose The Best Kayak Cart – Buying Guide
Cart Types (Attachment Method)
When discussing the possible ways of adding wheels to your kayak, three options are available – an end cart, a scupper hole cart, and a platform cart. An end kayak cart attaches to the stern of your kayak and lifts it, allowing you to pull it. It’s very maneuverable but carries only a portion of the weight so you’ll have a more difficult job.
A scupper hole kayak cart comes with vertical bars that go through the scupper holes on your boat. While this is very convenient, keep in mind that sit-in kayaks come without scupper holes and even sit-on-top models can have them in very different positions. Lastly, a platform (cradle) kayak cart is the most universal option as it usually fits any kayak model and holds the most weight.
Wheels
Since a kayak cart’s main goal is to transport your kayak from point A to point B, choosing a kayak cart with the wrong tires can beat the purpose. The main types of tires for cartwheels are plastic, rubber, and inflatable.
Kayaks with wheels made from plastic are cheap but don’t perform well on soft surfaces. Inflatable tires are soft and roll over anything, but can get punctured and damaged. Because of this, we feel that flat-free rubber tires filled with polyurethane are the best choice for kayak carts.
Frame Material
When looking for a kayak cart, it’s very important to consider the materials used to make its frame. The material should be strong enough to support the kayak weight and resistant to damage and corrosion. The most common options are stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, and composite.
Plastic is perhaps too fragile and won’t tolerate rough handling unless it’s reinforced. On the other hand, steel is very sturdy and durable, but these wheel carts for kayaks tend to be heavy. Possibly the best choice here is a frame made from aluminum because it’s both tough and lightweight, which is significant if you plan to pack the wheels for a kayak and take them with you.
Strap Types
Unless you buy a kayak transporter that connects to the scupper holes, you’re going to need some type of straps to secure your kayak on wheels. Luckily, most trolleys for kayaks come with a set of ratchet straps so you’ll have an easy job. If the package comes without these, even simple quick straps will do the job just fine.
Versatility
If you want the best experience when transporting the kayak, you should look for a trolley for a kayak that is easily-adjustable and foldable. In relation to this, the most excellent kayak carts allow you to tune the width so they can fit any kayak size (great if you’ll use it for multiple kayaks). In addition to the adjustability, the best kayak cart should also have a good weight capacity so it can support the vessel without breaking.
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FAQs
Q: How To Use A Kayak Cart?
This depends on the type of kayak cart wheels that you have. If you have an end cart, the tail of your boat slips through it easily, and it usually comes with a hook to secure it. On the other hand, the scupper hole cart uses the scupper holes on your kayak. With this type, you need to turn the kayak to the side, load the cart into the holes, and flip it back (same goes for unloading).
As for the strap (platform) models, you need to put the kayak cart dolly next to the center of the boat at a small angle compared to the boat. You then lift the front, rotate your kayak, and position it on the kayak caddy. When it’s sitting in the position you like (best in the middle for weight distribution reasons), you proceed to secure the kayak with wheels.
Q: How To Secure A Kayak To A Cart?
You can do this as follows – wrap the strap around a post on the kayak trolly, then bring it back to you. Bring the strap over the kayak and wrap it around the matching post on the other side, and then tighten it down nicely.
Q: What To Do With Your Cart When Kayaking?
If you bought a lightweight foldable kayak cart, your solution is simple – fold it, put it in your kayak and take it with you. Otherwise, you can either walk back and put the trolley kayak cart in your car, or you can leave it on the shore and hope to find it there when you get back.
Globo Surf Overview
As you’ve had the chance to see, there are several types of kayak carts available, and which one you should choose depends on your preferences and the kayak type you own. All of the transport wheels for kayaks featured in our kayak cart review are tried and tested on various terrains, so you can finally relax and save your strength for paddling instead of carrying your kayak around.