Canoe and Kayak hauling

I know this question is old, but I will add what I did for future reference.

I am super cheap so I bought a roof rack for my camper and a kayak rack off Amazon. The photo is of my 2014, I upgraded to a 2015 and everything remained the same.

$100 roof rack

CrossTread 83002 Truck Rk Blk 300 Roof MNT

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CIPR2G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
$40 kayak rack https://www.amazon.com/Gatumn-Unive...TF8&qid=1477326424&sr=1-2&keywords=kayak+rack

 

Can we see the build process on that rack? It looks sweet!

 

Not pretty but does the job

 

My philosophy is just throw them in/on, and apply as many straps as necessary. More boats=more straps. Haven't lost one yet.

 

Our rack, doin' its thang...

 

Snug as a bug for over 2,000 miles, 75-80mph no problem. I was surprised how well it became part of the truck, like it wasn't even there.
Before

After

 

Can you tell be the make of the cross bars, I'm going to do the same. I already have the bed extender from HF. I hope I can buy just one cross bar since I have an access cab. Thanks

 

I was going to get only one bar at first, but with both I can tote lighter kayaks and such without the hitch bar, but I think auto anything will sell just one bar. Call them as I did, might get a better price telling them you ended up there via tacoma world.

http://www.autoanything.com/roof-racks/rhino-rack-aero-bar-roof-rack

 

Good idea. Thanks for the link and info.

 

Bought an Ironton (Northern Tool) 4 post utility truck rack and it fits on the Tacoma's bed rails without welding or mods. Just used the t slot screws on Amazon and I'm good to go.
I bought it from them when they had it for $79 on their website. now it's back to normal price.

 

That's better than the bed extender. I like the fact that you can use the slot nuts and no drill holes.
I was looking at one on Amazon for $79 but you had to drill holes. Yours looks a lot better made and no drill holes to boot. Nice score!

 

Great Looking setup! Do you just have the two rails on the shell? I am planing a build similar but I can't decide if I need to have rails on the shell AND the cab, or just the shell.

 

Just the shell. Works just fine.

 

Picked up an older style TracRac system from HomeDepot a while back, about $100 less than current model. Snagged some used Holy Rollers and Mako Saddles on Ebay for $70, solid deal. I was going to trim some off the top of the rack, but the current height allows me to throw my 14' Grumman upside down and have about 1" between the tip and the top of the cab.

 

So that works, when all I'm carrying is kayaks... If I'm carrying anything more like I usually am a rack is necessary. I've had a very successful trip (documented earlier here) with 4 people, luggage, coolers, basically a bed full of supplies, and then 2 kayaks.

I'm going to be moving to a roof rack for the kayaks and reusing the bed rails for a roof top tent. That way I can actually keep my hitch clear and use the space under the RTT. Overall it should be a very solid setup. I haven't quite seen one like it yet, but it's not exactly revolutionary.

 

did u get a roof rck?

 

OEM roof rack with a harbor freight bed extender. My 14-ft Old Town was snug as a bug for 1200 miles. We even got 20mpg at 70mph!

 

TracRac is a great product for hauling canoes. I have had it on my Ford Ranger for years and am planning to add it to my 2013 Taco as soon as I get rid of the Ranger. The shortcoming of mounting oTracRac on the Taco is that there is not a TracRac sliding rail product offered for the Taco composite bed. That eliminates a great feature of the TracRac, the ability to slide the rear rack towards the cab when you want to use the bed as a truck bed, like when you put a tractor, tiller, sled or load of dirt in the bed....
The issue I have with hitch mounts is that you need to remove them to open the gate on the truck....that dog don't hunt.
Cap mounted racks are fine if you have a cap...I don't.
Thule looks like another option....but I don't have experience with them...I've been a TracRac, Yakima user. Can anyone compare TracRac and the very similar Thule products?

 

Bringing this up from the dead. I am buying my first kayak. It is 9' can I strap it in my short bed with tie downs and drive 80-85?