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Old 06-09-2020, 09:52 AM   #1
JBWardFamily
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Mounting through back wall of 33MLS

Hi all,

I'm in the design phase of fabricating a kayak mount for the back of our 2017 33MLS. I know I'll have to water-proof it, but has anyone drilled a hole through the back wall to mount something? The mount won't be supporting the weight of the kayaks (2), just giving them something to lean against and mount to. I'm supporting the bumper to carry the weight (100 lbs total). Are there studs to mount to from the outside? Are they aluminum or just plain wood studs?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 06-09-2020, 01:10 PM   #2
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I'm pretty leery about drilling and mounting anything to our Cougar. Have you thought about installing a receiver type hitch to the frame of your TT? They make some really nice racks that secure to the receiver with no drilling required. Plus, you get the flexibility of being to use the receiver for other cargo type racks as well.
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Old 06-09-2020, 01:15 PM   #3
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That's the plan for the bottom of the kayaks to support the weight. I'd prefer not to have all of the load on that hitch. I was hoping to support the weight on the hitch receiver and secure the tops to the camper to keep it from bouncing.
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Old 06-09-2020, 01:35 PM   #4
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Have you considered a roof rack for the tow vehicle? That is a much more "conventional approach" and the racks are readily available, reliable, parts availability is good and it's a much more "common approach to transporting kayaks"... YMMV
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Old 06-09-2020, 02:47 PM   #5
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I need the back of the truck to carry our side-by-side. Trying to carry everything all at one time.
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Old 06-09-2020, 04:26 PM   #6
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Just a note, I've seen the receiver attached kayak racks on a recent trip. (they didn't have the bicycle part) These seem very stable and secure. If you feel like you need something at the top, there is a 2" frame piece that runs across the top. It's most likely aluminum square tubing and not extremely sturdy. Personally I'd try the rack without the rear wall attachment first. Maybe have someone follow you on a test run to see how things ride.
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Old 06-09-2020, 04:46 PM   #7
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I wouldn’t even consider it, here’s why:

You have no idea where the wiring runs in the wall, and if you hit one, how do you repair it? Next, think about resale. Yeah you have no intentions of selling it....TODAY, but who know what may happen next week,month or year. Would you buy a trailer with holes in it? Would you trust that it’s been water tight the entire time?

We had a customer buy a $80,000.00 toy hauler. He Called 2 weeks later from a campground with serious electrical issues. It came back and after 2 hrs of “back tracking” starting at the batteries looking for a dead short we discovered 3 screws through the sidewall by the ladder to hold a flagpole. Took out the screws and everything started working right.

Point is, I wouldn’t do it.
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Old 06-09-2020, 05:13 PM   #8
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What about attaching a 6ft piece of angled steel to the ladder and across the back just to hold the kayaks against something. I'm not looking for structural support, just something to take some of the load off of the carrier and to keep it from bouncing too much. The ladder supports me climbing it at 200 lbs so I'd assume it will support the slight weight of a leaning kayak.
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Old 06-09-2020, 05:22 PM   #9
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If your just looking for a bit of stability maybe an aluminum L channel would be better. Less weight I’m thinking.
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Old 06-09-2020, 05:39 PM   #10
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I'd listen to Chuckster. His experience with things like this should not be ignored. those receiver mount rack really are stable on their own.
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Old 06-09-2020, 05:55 PM   #11
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I think I'm going to try an aluminum angle extended from the ladder. I'll post pics when it's done. After thinking on it I really don't want to mount anything permanently onto the back. Thanks for the advice.
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