Deep Dive on Bed Extenders

Bought a new 2020 Tacoma access cab (6ft bed) to move kayaks in a bed....topping is too much due to my age. Did my first pass at moving a kayak yesterday with a 10 ft kayak....60 miles gate down zero problems. In the future I'll be moving a 12 ft kayak...at times both the 12 ft, the 10 footer and possibly two 10 footers.

I read a ton and seems comfort level comes into play regarding 12 ft kayaks and 6 ft beds w/o extenders.....some move 12 footers in 5 ft beds w/o extenders. I have a few specific questions:

Do you use a bed extender with a single 12 ft kayak?
How do you move a 12 ft and a 10 footer....stacked with bed extender perhaps?
How do you, or would you move a 12 ft and and TWO 10 footers?
Does distance you travel come into play regarding how you secure your kayak(s)?
Do I really need the costly t-bone curved extender if my locations are relativity flat?

 

Did I post this in the wrong location?

 

Get a regular ole bed extender for $60-120 and you'll be fine. Always strap them down well no matter how far you're going. I've carried 2 kayaks on my bed extender. Three would be a trick.

 

I carry a 12' Hobie Compass with the tailgate down and no bed extender. I strap the middle down using a tie down strap and d-rings also tie down strap towards the end with the hitch. It doesn't have much play when driving 3-400 miles round trip. For 2 kayaks I would assume top kayak hull towards the sky would be good and strap it down. 3 kayaks all on the sides or a combination of the 2 kayaks sandwiched together and 3rd on it's side. No need for an expensive curved t-bone bed extender, go get you a cheap one from Harbor Freight, save your money for modding your truck.

ETA: don't forget to red flag the bow/stern of the kayak sticking out.

 

The run of the mill extender seems to be the consensus. Thanks for the reply.

 

are you referring to extender as the thing going into your tow hitch, or the thing that flips over to add a little bit of space on the tailgate when its down?

 

Ha I also have the Compass. I see in your avatar you have a 5 ft bed so I should be okay with my long bed w/o the extender. I'll be able to actually put the Compass in my bed this weekend so I'll test putting the others in with it. I see folks loading these trucks down and driving across the US.....I guess I worry too much.

 

Yes the extender that mounts into the receiver.

 

Harbor Freight $50 with the 20% off coupon. Only snag on my 2015 was it was level when the t bar was fully inserted in the upright, but the holes to secure it did not line up. I drilled a new 1/2", got a 1/2" pin and called it good. Boat is 12'6" wilderness systems Tarpon 120.

 

I have this exact same kayak but own a DCSB tacoma. I added two additional D-rings on the floor of the box by the cab where the two factory Torx bolts are. I put the kayak in stern first, and use two straps with no bed extender or anything. It sits securely. You could put an additional strap through the bow carry handle and tie it to your trailer hitch if that makes you feel better but I've had no problems with mine and have traveled hundreds of kilometres with it.

 

I haul two 12' kayaks (technically one is 12.5') all the time, zero issues.

(Jackson Tupelo 12.5 and Jackson Tripper 12)


Do you use a bed extender with a single 12 ft kayak?

- Nope. Not even with two.​

How do you move a 12 ft and a 10 footer....stacked with bed extender perhaps?

- I move two 12' easily enough, see pic. Also Have stuffed two 10' and one 12' into my 2nd Gen shortbed (basically the same as 3rd Gen)
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How do you, or would you move a 12 ft and and TWO 10 footers?

- Just use plenty of straps.​

Does distance you travel come into play regarding how you secure your kayak(s)?

- I've hauled my 12' from OKC to Buffalo River, AR without a problem. I wouldn't be worried about hauling both of ours next time.​

Do I really need the costly t-bone curved extender if my locations are relativity flat?

- Your call. I've used a rental curved extender from my local yak shop when I rented a 14' tandem from them. Really, I think the biggest benefit from the curve is when you have a short ramp into a parking lot or similar situation. Over the road, doesn't make enough of a difference to matter to me.
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I think you'll be perfectly fine with a long bed.

 

I did that for a while, It was OK for the 3 minute ride to my usual launch site, but it moved around a bit too much for my liking on longer trips to Oak Island. I worry about using the bolted handles as a tie-down especially in the summer heat. The cost of the HF bed extender was worth the piece of mind for me. Plus I often have my kids boats along for the ride.

Pre bed extender:

 

Cool....this is about what I find when I search on this topic.... some feel they need the BE and some don't. I don't see any way Taco Supremo's kayak comes out of that bed....comes down to comfort my level I guess. I appreciate hearing (and seeing) the alternate approaches especially since this is a true 1 to 1 comparison.....very helpful with my decision thanks!

 

Wow thanks for the detailed explanation. Much appreciated!

 

Thanks. 90% of the time I'll be launching local....maybe 5 miles, but on occasion I'll travel 100+....I'll prob go for an inexpensive BE for those trips when I carry multiple kayaks.

 

With that, the previous poster who has the hitch mounted BE definitely has a better carrying setup than I do. And the chances of his falling out are definitely less than with my setup.

I carry both a 12' and a 10' Tarpon for the wife and I. They are strapped down very tightly. And the strap on the sterns is through the handles as well for added security.

 

Update: I made multiple 20 mile trips with the Compass - gate down and stern in first. I used one strap through the rear scupper hole on each side and through the d-ring. I am 100% confident the Compass is secure in that configuration. IMO no BE is needed.

I also made a trip with three 10 ft kayaks in the Taco, again I felt 100% confident. I'm now wondering if I can get the Compass AND the three 10 ft kayaks secured for short trips. I'll test that soon.

Thanks again for all the great feedback.

 

Update 2: In my last post was wondering if I could get "if I can get the Compass AND the three 10 ft kayaks secured" the answer is yes indeed with Compass in stern first and a 10' Dolphin Bali on top of it hull up and the 2 Lifetime 10' Tetons tucked in the sides. Actually the kayaks are the easy part....getting 4 people and the "stuff" needed to go out kayaking is the challenge with an access cab. We did it though....several times.