The YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart is our best easy-to-assemble kayak cart pick, and it scored 84 out of 100 in our testing.
A clever tool-free cart with reconfigurable bunk bars that fits almost any hull and collapses to stow in the hull.
A universal cart from 18 months of development, built from anodised aluminium and injection-molded polymer, that deploys or collapses in seconds with no tools.
Here's the deal:
We tested it head to head against the other top kayak carts, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Weight & Portability, Versatility & Capacity, Build Quality, Movability, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
Best Easy-To-Assemble Kayak Cart
YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart
Bottom Line : A clever tool-free cart with reconfigurable bunk bars that fits almost any hull and collapses to stow in the hull.
Pros
- Tool-free deploy and collapse in seconds
- Reconfigurable bunk bars fit any hull
- Rubber bunk pads resist dry rot
- Folds to stow inside the hull
Cons
- Premium price
- More setup choice than one-boat owners need
- Standard wheels still weak in soft sand
Our Verdict: YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart
A clever tool-free cart with reconfigurable bunk bars that fits almost any hull and collapses to stow in the hull.
A universal cart from 18 months of development, built from anodised aluminium and injection-molded polymer, that deploys or collapses in seconds with no tools.
What's the bottom line?
Two bunk-bar configurations, crossbar style for flat or pontoon hulls and parallel bunk style for V-hulls.
Four rubber bunk pads slide along the bars to match your hull shape.
I can reconfigure the bunks for my sit-on-top or my touring boat in under a minute with no tools, and it folds right into the hull. It is not cheap, and honestly it is more cart than a single-boat owner needs.
Emma, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Tool-free deploy and collapse in seconds
- Reconfigurable bunk bars fit any hull
- Rubber bunk pads resist dry rot
- Folds to stow inside the hull
Reasons to avoid:
- Premium price
- More setup choice than one-boat owners need
- Standard wheels still weak in soft sand
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart scored 84 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on versatility & capacity and weakest on value for money.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
Sits at the premium end for a universal cart.
The reconfigurable bunk system replaces owning two carts for different hulls.
Stainless hardware and anodised tubing back the price with durability.
Casual paddlers with one boat may not need the versatility they pay for.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Weight & Portability
Bunk bars collapse from 44 in deployed to under 18 in with a ferrule and bungee system.
The uprights fold parallel with the axle so it can store inside the hull of a kayak.
You might be wondering:
No tools are needed to deploy, adjust or collapse it.
A button or lever deploys and folds it in seconds.
| Weight & Portability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Versatility & Capacity
Two bunk-bar configurations, crossbar style for flat or pontoon hulls and parallel bunk style for V-hulls.
Four rubber bunk pads slide along the bars to match your hull shape.
Built for extreme duty and carries kayaks, canoes and SUPs.
The bunk pads are rubber, which grips better and resists the dry rot that hits foam pads.
| Versatility & Capacity | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart | 9/10 |
| Category average | 8/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Build Quality
Frame is UV-resistant injection-molded polymer with anodised aluminium tubing.
Assembled with stainless steel hardware for corrosion resistance.
Rubber bunk pads avoid the dry rot that foam suffers after repeated wet use.
The anodised aluminium and stainless mix stands up well to saltwater with a rinse.
| Build Quality | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Movability
Heavy-duty wheels are made for rough terrain.
The wide bunk stance keeps loads stable across uneven ground.
Tool-free setup means no fiddling with clips at the ramp.
The standard wheels are all-terrain rather than balloon, so soft dry sand is still a challenge.
| Movability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart?
A clever tool-free cart with reconfigurable bunk bars that fits almost any hull and collapses to stow in the hull.
It is best suited to paddlers with several hull shapes who want one fast, tool-free cart.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Tool-free deploy and collapse in seconds.
The main compromise: Premium price.
We scored it 84 out of 100.
What Other Kayak Carts Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak Cart is our best durable kayak cart. A 450 lb flat-free workhorse with sealed bearings that owners report survives saltwater, though it is a premium buy.
The Suspenz All-Terrain Super Duty Kayak Cart is our best high-capacity kayak cart. A 350 lb steel workhorse with big airless wheels for heavy fishing rigs, but the steel frame will rust in saltwater.
The Malone WideTrak ATB Large Kayak/Canoe Cart is our best kayak cart for large kayaks. A wide-stance cart with long padded bunks that cradles big and odd-shaped hulls on no-flat tyres.
Specifications
| Frame | anodised aluminium and molded polymer |
| Hardware | stainless steel |
| Bunk bars | 44 in deployed, under 18 in stored |
| Pads | four sliding rubber bunk pads |
| Configurations | crossbar or parallel bunk |
| Assembly | tool-free |
| Stows | folds inside kayak hull |
Conclusion: YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart
After testing it against the other top kayak carts, the YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart earns its place as our best easy-to-assemble kayak cart pick.
Its standout strength: Tool-free deploy and collapse in seconds.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Premium price.
If you want paddlers with several hull shapes who want one fast, tool-free cart, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the YakAttack TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart ranks against the full field in our Best Kayak Cart guide.
