Looking for carry options for two 12' kayaks

Hey TW, I am trying to figure out how to carry some long kayaks with my '17 sport. The wife got a 12 foot Seastream Angel 120 PD for Christmas and so far I have been using a a cheap Amazon trailer hitch bed extender to carry it back and forth from home to where she is using it. I thought we might only use the bed extender a few times a year when I got it but that is looking to not be the case. With the kayak weighing 95 pounds without the peddle drive, and at 12 feet long (nearly 2/3 the length of the truck) this hitch bed extender is going to be seeing a lot of stress applied to it and I expect it won't be long before I start seeing the results of metal fatigue (cheap amazon stuff). Also, I have found that I really like her kayak and may just add a second one to the fleet for my use. I can see that only leaves me with options for carrying them on top of the truck. The catch is that I also carry my motorcycle in the back of the truck occasionally so whatever setup I end up with needs to be something that is easy to take apart and put back together so I can walk the bike up a ramp into the bed. Probably also need roof rack suggestions to go with it. Would love to see some pictuers of your setups and any pros/cons of things you have tried. Also, how are you getting them up there? My wife is 5'0" and with the kayaks at 95 pounds you are not exactly throwing these things around.

 

This is what I plan on getting for my kayaks this summer, Im going to try it on the OEM roof rack first, then probably get a bed rack to mount it to.

 

This is how I do mine when I need to use the bed. Not shown are Yakima Bigcatch saddles. Could do a second boat but would need the crossbars to be wider. Easy enough to do.

 

Not the popular answer, but at 90+ pounds per yak, I'd be concerned about my back. Ive done heavy boats to overhead racks before, and while doable, it was just enough of a PITA that I found myself making excuses not to go kayaking because of it.

Get the $500 folding trailer from Northern Tool and bolt some v-carriers to it. Its cheap, it stores on the garage wall, and it saves you from lifting those monsters to a roof rack.



Edit - picture found from google search, it isnt mine.

 

Sometimes you just have to do some thug shit , it didn’t hurt that I’m 6 house from the lake lol

 

I do this as well, but I use the chain mod on my tailgate to keep it half way up, so the kayak doesn't slip out as easily

 

This is something I built over the summer, its a giant drawer that pulls out to make loading and unloading easy. When I built it I only had 2 kayaks, but with both my kids getting kayaks and the need to get another full sized kayak for when my dad and brother visit I needed more space, so this project got shelved.

https://imgur.com/a/gkMtUc1

 

I use the tie downs on my bed stiffeners it’s not going anywhere

 

we just throw ours in the bed and tie them down, it's not pretty though. we bought some generic kayak racks to attach to the roof rack, just been lazy about putting them on

 

I run a Thule Xsporter

Thule Xsporter Pro Aluminum Truck Rack with Load Stops

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-Xsporter-Aluminum-Truck-Stops/dp/B013Q2TBHQ the adjustable height should allow enough room to carry the motorcycle too (backwards might be the ticket)
I also run bed stiffeners, the added tiedown points are really nice to have.
Keep in mind this system will not lower to the lowest setting due to the box sides on a Tacoma.

 

Yeah, it's just with a 12 foot kayak, that extra 6 feet sticking out the back of the truck makes me have to be really careful about making tight turns as the kayak swings out far enough to hit other vehicles/objects. My driveway is located in a somewhat tight roundabout and I'm afraid I am going to hit a neighbors car one night.

 

This is exactly what I did. And my boats are only 10 ft Bonafide SS107's. They are wide and heavy about 100 lbs each with gear. I went and bought a $350 trailer from Harbor Freight and put (2) 2x4 bunks on it with some eyelets and outdoor carpet. Its super easy, I back the boats down into the water and push them off. When I load them, I put the trailer down as far as I can and pull them up onto the bunks. I previously hauled a 11 ft and a 9 ft in the bed of my short bed, the trailer is a million times easier. Plus I feel better taking up spots at a boat ramp when I have an actual trailer. The hardest part is backing up with such a short trailer.

 

I recently installed the Yakima Overhaul HD and it is worth every penny.

 

I think two 95 Lb kayaks is going to be stressing the limit for a roof rack, too. I'd go the mini-trailer route.

 

Prinsu with some sort of Kayak Saddle. Plus you'll get beefy pressing them up there.

 

Beware that the OEM roof rack only has a weight rating of about 100 lbs. Aftermarket options have significantly higher weight ratings. It’s been a bit since I’ve looked into this, but I think the Rhino Rack option for the Tacoma uses the factory mounting points, the crossbars are removable, and it has a weight rating of around 200 lbs.

https://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/pro...t600-ditch-mount-black-2-bar-roof-rack_ja8414

 

That looks good. Looking at their website it's some of thwir products work with certin tonneau covers but it's hard to tell if the Toyota factory tonneau cover works with any of their stuff, but it's not like its its the end of the world if it doesn't as I wasn't honestly exacting any system to do so.

 

They sell a tower that works with 1 specific tonneau cover. I didn't need the Tonneau cover so I purchased the regular towers. It is very well built. Definitely recommend the rack.

 

Typically you have a choice. Rack or a tonneau. Not both. This is absolutely true for the Thule or Yakima racks.

I’m considering the Yakima rack.

 

I have two options I use for two 12.5 kayaks.

extender for days trips when I don’t need the bed and can put stuff in the back seat.



Longs trips (days) bed bar with tailgate up and a riser with extender. I can still use the bed. I lay kayaks side by side, upside down.