Malone MPG586XJ EcoLight 2 Kayak Trailer with 2 J-Rack Carriers, 14 ft / 400 lbs Capacity Review (2026)

Who the EcoLight Trailer Fits

The EcoLight is positioned as Malone's budget-friendly trailer, so it fits paddlers who want to stop wrestling kayaks onto a roof rack but do not need the heavier-duty MicroSport line's extra features like a submersible off-road axle. Maloneautoracks lists the trailer at 400 lbs capacity and safe towing up to 65 mph, with two J-style carriers designed for traditional V-hull touring and recreational kayaks rather than wide, flat-bottomed fishing kayaks. It suits a household with two mid-size kayaks that mostly launches from paved ramps and wants an easier way to load and unload without lifting boats overhead, especially for anyone who paddles solo or has back or shoulder limitations that make roof loading difficult.

Frame, Tires and What's Included

The trailer measures roughly 58 in wide and 134 in long, built from galvanized steel load bars and a reinforced extra-long tongue, and Malone lists a trailer weight around 145 lbs without accessories, notably lighter than the MicroSport Off-Road trailer. It rolls on 8 in high-speed tires rather than the oversized pontoon tires on Malone's off-road models, which keeps the trailer lighter and easier to tow but less suited to gravel or sand access roads. The package includes two J-style kayak carriers with mounting hardware, molded fenders, and a 2 in receiver with a lift handle for maneuvering the trailer by hand, and Malone backs the whole package with a five-year limited warranty.

Setting It Up and Living With It

Malone estimates assembly takes 3 to 5 hours with common shop tools, which is typical for a kit trailer shipped mostly disassembled, and loading afterward is a matter of setting each kayak into its J-rack cradle on its side and securing it with straps. Because the tires are standard highway-speed tires rather than off-road pontoon tires, this trailer is best kept to paved or well-maintained gravel launches rather than soft sand or deeply rutted roads. As with any trailer, check the hitch, lights, and tire pressure before towing, and confirm state registration requirements, since trailer rules vary and this EcoLight still needs a 2 in receiver hitch and functioning DOT-approved lighting to tow legally.

Trade-offs Against Other Malone Trailers

Against the MicroSport Off-Road trailer, the EcoLight gives up the oversized pontoon tires, submersible axle, and higher 800 lb capacity in exchange for a lighter, less expensive trailer that is easier to tow and store for paddlers who never leave pavement. Against the standard MicroSport with bunk carriers, this EcoLight's J-rack carriers are a better match for narrower V-hull touring kayaks but a worse match for wide, flat-hulled fishing kayaks that sit more securely on bunks. Compared with Malone's larger MegaSport trailer with 86 inch load bars, the EcoLight is more compact and easier to maneuver but cannot be upgraded to carry more than two boats.

Verdict and Who Should Pick Something Else

For two paddlers with mid-size touring or recreational kayaks who launch mostly from paved ramps and want an affordable step up from roof-top loading, the EcoLight is a sensible entry point into Malone's trailer lineup, in line with the site's own score of 8.8 out of 10. Paddlers with wide fishing kayaks should compare this against a bunk-style Malone trailer, since J-racks are built around narrower V-hulls and may not cradle a flat-bottomed fishing kayak as securely. Anyone who regularly launches from gravel or sand access roads should step up to the MicroSport Off-Road trailer instead, since this EcoLight's standard tires are not built for rough terrain.

Frequently asked questions