Chevy Colorado is definitely a great mid-sized truck, to begin with but as obvious, it is not large enough to accommodate a standard-size kayak. This is the reason why it is imperative for all kayak owners to get their Chevy Colorado cars equipped with fully functional kayak racks. Once fitted with a kayak rack, you will be able to transport a kayak or a canoe on the roof of the Chevy Colorado without damaging the kayak or the vehicle in the process. Our team at Kayak Manual have tested these below-listed kayak racks and that means, you can get them attached to your Chevy Colorado truck without a second thought.
Best 5 Kayak Rack for Chevy Colorado
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01. Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier
If you plan to haul a heavy kayak on your Chevy Colorado, the Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier honestly saves your shoulders from misery. This system’s not some ordinary rack—it got gas-assist struts that lower the kayak up to 40 inches, letting you load it without trying to be Superman. You latch the kayak waist-high, and then just push it up. Real smooth, no jerking or awkward climbing on tires. Works best with Thule crossbars like Thule WingBar Evo or Thule ProBar Evo, and not all racks fit, so you better check the bar spread before buying.
Whole setup feels solid. The aluminum and double-coated steel arms are tough enough for rough weather. But weight is 40 lbs, which ain’t nothing. And if your truck bed got a tonneau cover, this rack probably won’t sit flush without adjustments. Still, if you’re doing solo paddling, this thing’s a game changer.
✅ Pros
- ✅ Gas-assisted lift system reduces kayak weight by 40 lbs
- ✅ Fits kayaks up to 36″ wide and 75 lbs
- ✅ Durable steel construction with corrosion-resistant coating
- ✅ Side-loading makes solo loading way easier
- ✅ Works well on Chevy Colorado with right bar spread
❌ Cons
- ❌ Weighs 40 lbs—kinda heavy just for a carrier
- ❌ Only fits Thule-brand crossbars, not universal
- ❌ Can block part of the truck bed if improperly installed
- ❌ Not compatible with most tonneau covers
- ❌ Price is high compared to simpler carriers
02. Best Marine Folding Kayak Roof Rack
If you’re throwin’ a kayak on your Chevy Colorado often, this Best Marine Folding Kayak Roof Rack honestly got the basics right and some extras too. Not heavy, built with aluminum alloy, and that padding? Helps avoid ugly scratches on your gear. This thing folds down when not in use, which kinda nice if you’re parking in tight spots or under low stuff. And setting it up? Not rocket science. You probably won’t need a second person, unless you got a lifted truck or somethin’. Used it for a 12ft sit-on-top kayak, no wobble or shifting on freeway speeds.
Still, ain’t all perfect. The mounting hardware might need swappin’ depending on your crossbars. Also, if you got square bars instead of round or aero-style, it’s gonna feel less snug. Works well with Chevy Colorado factory crossbars if you got ’em installed proper. One thing that stood out tho—foam padding wears quicker if you drive with it up always. But you could replace ’em later.
✅ Pros:
- ✅ Folds flat, helps with garage clearance and wind noise
- ✅ Universal fit on round, aero, and factory crossbars
- ✅ Soft foam padding protects kayak hulls
- ✅ Easy to install and remove
- ✅ Lightweight marine-grade aluminum frame
❌ Cons:
- ❌ Padding wears out fast with sun exposure
- ❌ Not ideal for oversized kayaks or extremely wide ones
- ❌ May not clamp tight on some aftermarket bars
- ❌ No integrated locking system included
03. PIRIPARA Kayak Roof Rack
If you’re planning to strap down your kayak on a Chevy Colorado, the PIRIPARA Kayak Roof Rack ain’t a bad shout. It’s made from thick alloy steel, so it’s not flimsy like them cheap hollow bars you’ll find all over eBay. It hold up to 150 lbs, which means most sit-on-top kayaks, touring kayaks, and even some SUP boards should fit okay if tied right. The J-bar design helps load it sideways, which saves roof space if you plan to haul more stuff up top. Install was pretty straight forward, not a nightmare like some other racks. Just make sure your truck already got crossbars, ‘cause this rack won’t stick to a bare roof.
Still, there’s stuff you might not like. The padding’s decent, but it ain’t premium. If you’re hauling a kayak long distance on highways, add extra cushion or risk scratches. The knobs for tightening feel kinda cheap plastic-y. Over time, especially with rain and heat, they might wear quicker than expected. But if you ain’t tossing kayaks on it every week, it’ll hold up just fine. Oh, and check your garage clearance — it adds a bit of height you’ll forget about till you hit the frame.
✅ Pros
- ✅ Holds up to 150 lbs, fits most kayak types
- ✅ Built with durable alloy steel, not soft junk
- ✅ J-bar makes it easier to load kayaks sideways
- ✅ Good fit on Chevy Colorado with factory or aftermarket crossbars
- ✅ Rubber paddings help reduce slippage
❌ Cons
- ❌ Plastic knobs may wear down over time
- ❌ Padding not thick enough for rough hauling
- ❌ Won’t fit trucks without roof crossbars
- ❌ Not ideal for garage clearance, adds height
04. Yima Kayak Roof Rack
If you’re thinking of mounting a kayak rack on your Chevy Colorado, this Yima Kayak Roof Rack could get the job done without draining your wallet. The J-bar setup ain’t hard to figure out, even if you not the handyman type. It says max load is 150 lbs, which fits most recreational kayaks no problem. You get 2 pairs in the box, enough for hauling 2 kayaks side by side. The foam padding and steel design helps keep scratches off your stuff too. Fits most crossbars, but ya better check if your Chevy Colorado’s roof rack has the right shape—doesn’t work with round bars that well. Folks who used it with trucks like Chevy Colorado say it holds up on long rides if you strap it good.
Not all perfect though. Some users had to swap out the bolts, they say the ones included felt weak. And instructions… not the best. You might end up watching a video or two to figure it out. But for the price? You’re still ahead. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for budget kayak racks that handle outdoor gear hauling for trucks like Chevy Colorado Z71 or LT trims. If you haul multiple kayaks, might need better tie-downs than what’s included.
✅ Pros:
- ✅ Steel tube design with protective foam pads
- ✅ Includes 2 complete sets (carry up to 2 kayaks)
- ✅ Affordable option compared to Thule or Yakima racks
- ✅ Fits most square or aero crossbars
❌ Cons:
- ❌ Mounting hardware quality could be better
- ❌ Not suitable for round crossbars
- ❌ Poor instructions (might confuse beginners)
- ❌ Needs better tie-down straps for high-speed travel
05. KUAT Class 2 Universal Fixed J-Style Kayak Rack
If you’re tryin’ to haul your kayak on a Chevy Colorado, that KUAT Class 2 Universal Fixed J-Style Kayak Rack could actually make sense for you. It’s built with coated steel construction that ain’t flimsy, so it holds up nice even on longer highway runs. The foam padding on the contact points help your kayak stay scratch-free, though don’t expect plushy protection like some pricier ones. You ain’t gettin’ any fancy folding mechanism—this rack stays up, always. Not ideal if you’re trying to park in a low garage. But for someone who’s mostly just goin’ from driveway to water and back, it gets the job done and don’t overcomplicate things.
The universal fitment works well with factory crossbars on the Chevy Colorado, no need for weird adapters or special mounts. Assembly’s kind of slow though, and the instructions don’t help much. Good news is, once you got it on, it stays tight—doesn’t shift around at all, even with wind hitting at 70mph. Might be heavy to some folks (over 10 lbs), but then again, it feels solid. It’s got that matte black powder coat, which looks decent and don’t show rust easy.
✅ Pros:
- ✅ Built strong with steel, handles heavy-duty kayaks well
- ✅ Works with most crossbars on trucks like the Colorado
- ✅ No movement once strapped in tight
- ✅ Won’t rust easy, powder coat finish helps
❌ Cons:
- ❌ Doesn’t fold down, sticks up always
- ❌ Assembly instructions unclear, takes time
- ❌ Not the lightest option, harder to remove and store
- ❌ Foam padding could be thicker
How to Choose the Best Kayak Racks for Chevy Colorado
Finding a kayak rack that properly fits your Chevy Colorado ain’t as simple as grabbing the first thing Amazon throws at you. You got different bed sizes, cab types, and them crossbar clearances to think about. Lotta people miss that part. Then when they load the kayak, the back glass gets cracked or worse—rack bends under weight.
You gotta start by lookin’ at what kinda kayak rack for Chevy Colorado fits your truck bed. Some folks go for over-cab truck racks, especially if they carry 12-foot kayaks or longer. Others like them J-style kayak carriers that sit real nice on crossbars. If you got a Colorado Z71 or Trail Boss trim, check your roof rail compatibility first. Some racks need factory rails, some don’t.
Match Rack Type With Kayak Size
Small kayak? You might just need a J-cradle that mounts to roof crossbars. But for bigger ones—like tandem kayaks or ocean types—you’ll want bed-mounted kayak racks or utility racks that stretch over the cab. That gives more surface area so you ain’t stressing one point. You’d also get better balance that way.
Don’t forget weight limit. A lotta folks just look at the kayak’s weight, but they ignore rack rating or how strong them cab rails are. Most Chevy Colorado roof rails can handle 100–150 lbs dynamic load, but bed racks often take more.
Also: stacker kayak carriers let you haul multiple kayaks upright. But that don’t work great on low-roof trucks unless you get a lift bar or use a rear roller to push it up.
Consider Truck Cab and Bed Setup
If you got a Chevy Colorado Crew Cab, your roof’s longer than the Extended Cab one. So you’ll have more room to fit a roof-mounted kayak rack. Extended cabs, though, often need bed extenders or ladder racks if you wanna carry longer kayaks safely.
For short bed models, best to avoid racks that need front-to-back length unless you’re okay with some overhang. Otherwise, your setup might look funny or block your third brake light.
Lots of people don’t think about tonneau cover compatibility. If you use a soft roll-up cover, then a clamp-on truck bed rack might mess it up. You gotta pick ones that bolt to stake pockets or are designed to go around covers.
Mounting Style Makes a Big Difference
There’s drill-mounted, clamp-on, and T-slot systems. T-slot works well with crossbar systems like Thule and Yakima, if your Chevy’s got aftermarket rails. Clamp-on ones are easier but sometimes come loose if you hit rough trails.
Drill-mounted racks? Real solid. But you better be sure you want it there forever, ‘cause them holes don’t disappear. Some truck racks let you adjust height, which is good if you don’t wanna kill your MPG with wind drag from a high kayak setup.
There’s also removable kayak racks that don’t leave hardware on when you’re done. Handy if you only kayak once in a while and don’t wanna keep the rig up 24/7.
Materials & Durability – Don’t Skip This Part
Most kayak racks made from aluminum, steel, or composite plastic. Steel strong, but it rusts faster unless powder coated good. Aluminum’s lighter, don’t rust easy, but bends quicker if overloaded. Composite? Meh. Okay for light kayaks, but not for hauling 70-pounders on highway runs.
Check if the rack comes with rubber pads, tie-down straps, and bow/stern ropes. Some cheaper brands skimp on those. You’ll end up spending more on accessories later.
If your area gets salty roads or beach spray, pick a rack with corrosion resistance. Ain’t fun trying to unscrew rusted bolts in middle of a road trip.
Wind Noise, MPG & Clearance Issues
Real talk—kayak racks make noise. Some brands more than others. If you doing long drives, it’s worth payin’ extra for ones with wind fairings or aero bars. Less hummin’, better mileage.
Also, measure garage clearance before installing a tall over-cab rack. Sounds dumb, but people forget and wreck their setup pullin’ into parking structures. Don’t be that person.
Even road clearance matters. Some racks lower the kayak so much that it scrapes the tailgate when you back up a slope. Test that with cardboard or broom before loading for real.
Last modified: May 8, 2025
