- First Name
- Bill
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2024
- Threads
- 5
- Messages
- 54
- Reaction score
- 56
- Location
- Snoqualmie, WA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2024 Trailhunter LB, 2023 Audi Q4 etron, 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness
- Thread starter
- #1
After stuffing in my inflatable NRS fishing kayak(s) into the back of my Outback, I wanted to be able to keep them inflated so that I could also move from lake to lake with minimal effort. I could have put a Kayak rack on my Outback; I was also pushing the limits of where that could go with some rugged roads in route to fishing locations. So, I purchased a Trailhunter Long Bed and put on an Retrax XR Pro tonneau cover and Kuat Ibex bed rack. This allowed me to keep gear in the bed secured by the Retrax XR Pro and then keep the kayaks inflated sitting on the top of the tonneau cover and rack. This model worked great. One lesson learned is to put a towel on the tonneau before sliding the kayak on it to protect against scratches. After having this setup for a year, I found that I wanted more secure, dry and dust free space than the tonneau cover was providing. Given I am often parking and then walking/wading or floating for long periods of time, I want the gear that was left at the truck out of sight given the criminal element that lives among us. So, I purchased an Alu-Cab Contour, Sherpa Rainier, and Riversmith Shortcut River Quiver 4-banger during the Black Friday sale. This provides me much more storage capacity, I can easily store floatation devices deflated (float tubes and kayaks) and associated gear towards the cab, keep my fly gear near the gate. Easy to access everything with the side doors. I installed the River Quiver on the ceiling of the canopy, out of sight. I can also keep the kayak and/or float tubes on the top mounted to the canopy+rack. I do have a kayak rack that can hold two kayaks on top. If it is just one which is often the case, I just attach it to the canopy+rack. The kayak rack adds wind friction and height; it is easy to take on and off. One thing I am considering is getting a cot like device like a Pacific Adventure Works so I can crash in the back at fishing sites.
Retrax XR Pro tonneau cover+Kuat Ibex
Pro’s:
Alu-Cab Contour+ Sherpa Rainier
Pro’s:
One thing I would say is that the build quality of the before and after solutions were all very good in my experience. Retrax customer support A+. No issues at all with the Kuat Ibex, great solution for the right use case. The Alu-Cab Contour, Sherpa Rainer, and Riversmith River Quiver all rock solid. Given my use case for my Trailhunter is 99% fly fishing and exploring new fishing spots, I may not be stressing them like people more focused on off-roading and overlanding.
I am happy with my change up here, working great for my use case.
Retrax XR Pro tonneau cover+Kuat Ibex
Pro’s:
- Can see better out of back, more visibility
- Less wind friction and a little better gas mileage
- Attach MAXTRAX to Kuat Molle panel, less air friction and noise than on Sherpa Rainer Rack
- Much easier to load one kayak on tonneau cover
- Less storage
- In my experience, not as dry and dust free. Retrax did do a warranty exchange for me after I installed the Alu-Cab. That may have solved that problem, not sure. Sold that to another Trailhunter owner.
Alu-Cab Contour+ Sherpa Rainier
Pro’s:
- Over twice as much secure storage, hard to see though back window at what is inside. I have the security molle cover as well on the back window.
- Has been much better at keeping water and dust out. I get a little water when I take it though the hands-free car wash, not from rain. Little bit of dust, that could be coming in when I open the tail gate and doors to canopy as well. I get dust in my cab as well even though I always have the re-circ air on.
- The Riversmith is out of sight. I break my rods in half and use the road chairs. Just picked up the Riversmith sleeves
- Potential ability to sleep in the canopy
- Less visibility while driving
- More wind noise, little less gas mileage and in turn range. I also changed from the stock tires to Wildpeak A/T4W’s at the same time.
One thing I would say is that the build quality of the before and after solutions were all very good in my experience. Retrax customer support A+. No issues at all with the Kuat Ibex, great solution for the right use case. The Alu-Cab Contour, Sherpa Rainer, and Riversmith River Quiver all rock solid. Given my use case for my Trailhunter is 99% fly fishing and exploring new fishing spots, I may not be stressing them like people more focused on off-roading and overlanding.
I am happy with my change up here, working great for my use case.
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