Malone MPG461B2 MicroSport 2 Kayak Trailer with 2 Bunk Kayak Carriers and Spare Tire Review (2026)

Who this kayak trailer is for

This trailer fits paddlers who own two kayaks, especially heavier fishing kayaks or tandem boats, and want to tow rather than roof-load, either because their vehicle has no roof rack capacity or because lifting a heavy kayak overhead is not practical trip after trip. The bunk-style carriers, which cradle the hull along its length rather than pinching it at a few points, suit wide fishing kayaks and pontoon-style hulls better than J-cradles or saddles do. A matching spare tire is included, which matters for paddlers making longer tow trips to put-ins far from home, where a roadside flat without a spare would otherwise strand the trip.

Build, capacity and what is in the package

Malone builds the MicroSport frame from marine grade galvanized steel, rated to carry boats up to 20 feet long with a total trailer capacity of 800 pounds and roughly 225 pounds per boat across the two carriers. The padded bunks are adjustable for angle, height and width, letting you fit them to a traditional V-hull kayak or a wider pontoon-style fishing kayak without buying different hardware. Crossbars on the trailer are compatible with Malone, Thule and Yakima accessories, so straps, extra carriers or J-cradles from those brands can be swapped in later. The included spare tire mounts to the trailer tongue with a lockable attachment, and the trailer uses leaf spring suspension with DOT-approved submersible LED lighting for road legal towing.

Setting it up and living with it

The trailer arrives as a kit that needs assembly, bolting the frame, axle, bunks and lighting together before its first tow, which takes real time and basic tools compared with a rack that bolts straight to a roof. Once built, loading two kayaks onto the padded bunks is easier on the back than lifting a boat overhead onto a roof rack, and the adjustable bunk angle helps the hull sit flat and stable for highway speeds. Because the trailer is fully submersible, backing it into a shallow launch to float a kayak on or off is an option some owners use instead of lifting at all. Storage between trips is the main ongoing consideration, since a trailer needs driveway or lot space a roof rack does not.

Trade-offs and how it compares with named rivals

Against the Malone MPG464-LBB LowBed version, which sits lower for easier loading over the side, the standard MicroSport height in this package can be taller to load than the LowBed model, a real consideration for shorter paddlers or those loading solo. Compared with roof-based options like the Thule DockGlide saddle or a basic J-bar rack, this trailer avoids lifting boats overhead entirely and handles heavier fishing kayaks the bunks support better than a roof rack's per-boat weight limits typically allow, but it adds the ongoing cost and hassle of towing, storing and licensing a trailer that a roof rack does not have. Paddlers without secure trailer storage or a vehicle rated to tow should stick with a roof-based carrier instead.

Verdict: who should buy it and who should skip it

Buy this trailer if you own two kayaks, especially heavier fishing models, want bunk-style support instead of J-cradle pinch points, and have somewhere to store a trailer between trips year round. The included spare tire and 800 pound rated capacity make it a practical choice for regular longer-distance launches. Skip it if you only own one kayak, since a roof rack will be simpler and cheaper, or if loading height matters more than bunk support, in which case Malone's own LowBed version sits closer to the ground for easier solo loading.

Frequently asked questions