Could use some help in narrowing down best option for our truck. My wife and I just bought our first trailer, a 2019 Shamrock 233s. We love it and want to take kayaks with us on our trips.

We have a 22 F150 XLT SuperCrew with a Bakflip MX4 that I like and don't want to give up. Kayaks are 13' and 12', both weighing about 80lbs.

I'm torn between a bed rack and roof rails. I'm also considering getting either the Yakima or Thule kayak carriers that have load assist. I have a bad back and like the idea of having some help in loading them, especially after a long day of paddling and/or getting trailer ready for trips. Not opposed to other brands, but I know Thule so have been looking at it. Options I'm looking at:

Bed Rack - Thule TracRac SR
Pros: confirmed compatible from Bakflip that it works with my mx4, versatile and can hold over 1k lbs, no drill.
Cons: pricey - $1400, don't care for the color, most importantly would back end of kayaks interfere with turn radius of trailer

Roof Rails - Thule WingBar Evo
Pros: cheaper solution - $600, no drill, compatible with both Yakima and Thule lift assist system.
Cons: not as versatile, can only hold 220 lbs (enough for our yaks), not a fan of the look on the truck

Financially speaking, the roof rails seem to make the most sense but as I'm new to this I want to make sure there's not something I'm missing.

Thanks in advance!

 

I live in south Florida and take frequent trips down to the Florida Keys. On a trip I went to last year, I saw a truck pulling a similar trailer to the one you mentioned carrying kayaks. The guy made some custom brackets on the back of the trailer itself where he had two kayaks strapped on to them with the bow pointing straight up in the sky. For sure, this is something he made himself. I googled it and I actually found a similar set up. Apparently, companies make these kinds of kits:

https://fifthwheelmagazine.com/rv-fi...ike-racks.aspx

 

^
My wife has asked me to do something like this, I told her no, go buy it. About $1,500 from what I have seen...but IMHO works and looks best.

 

Keep in mind, that with a roof rack on the cab, your bars will only be about three feet apart. This may not work for your kayaks. I've seen some similar to those pictured above. They are nice , but once again a 13' kayak would stick up pretty high.

 

Fold up the Bak Flip, that’s what it’s designed for with taller loads.
Use a single roof bar and carry the kayaks angled down into the bed. Be easier on your back loading, too.
Your kayaks should not be near your camper height, either.