12 foot heavy kayak on top of ARE topper with Yakima round bars?

I’m trying to venture into the world of kayak fishing. Daunting how much there is to consider. Only one of which is transport. I have a 6 foot Tacoma truck bed. My truck is (thankfully) stock height.

I am leaning towards a bed extender, but this takes up bed space for road trips. There is a lake in AZ that hooked me on bass fishing when I was 13 and I vowed to go back.

anyone carrying a 12 foot boat on (approx)6-foot spaced Yakima round bars? I don’t mind buying any accessories to secure the boat. I have a shoulder injury that creeps up periodically, so I would have to lift “smart”.

please help. I searched but the waters are muddy.

 

I've carried a 16' canoe on my Leer with Yakima round bars with a 4' bar spread (5' bed). Never had any issues on or off road.

 

I believe someone makes a side loading system where the cradles tilt down to assist with loading. Instead of lifting on to the cap/bars, you only need to lift to the side of cap, then everything tilts up to the top.

 

You'll be fine with the top and Yakima bars (circle takes the square) get yourself some NRS Cam Straps, on one boat 9' straps will be fine. I've hauled a metric shit ton of kayaks on the same setup.

https://www.nrs.com/product/1440/nrs-1-hd-tie-down-straps

 

You tie down the bow and stern?

 

Thanks. Never knew those existed.

 

70lb kayak on leer shell. Thule square bars spaced to max on 6’. ed. No problems in years.

 

Never have. Synch it down with NRS cam straps.

 

No problem, definitely use those and not those God awful POS ratchet straps with hooks.

 

Bed extender. Malone trailer. Thule Hullavator (spiffy lift assist).

 

like everything, i over-thought the problem. it barely cantilevered past the tailgate. approx 3.5'.

i'll work on the rooftop option as well if i have cargo in the truck-bed as well. i got the boat home with zero fanfare.

 

Bed and load straps works for me. Not as "outdoorsy" looking but works.

 

17' 65# touring boat, 15' solo Old Town canoe and a 9' playboat on my Yakima round bars at one time plus various combinations of two touring kayaks, bicycles, cargo box, etc. No problems. The touring boat is a bit of a PITA to load (I've also got bad shoulders) but I manage; put a towel down on the back to help prevent scratches. I also carry a small aluminum Harbor Freight step stool (watch for the coupons and they're like $20).

I love my NRS straps, been using them for years now and currently own at least half a dozen but any new straps will be Roller Cam (https://www.rollercam.com/).
Some of the guys on ExPo recommended them and I gotta agree, they're easier to use.

 

Nice!

I like them. But honestly the roller is a nice solution to a non-existent problem. I have generic straps that the shop gave me for free when I bought my kayak from them. NRS copies. I love them as well.

 

Yep, they all seem to work about the same but I find I can get the two roller straps a little snugger, a little easier and they're essentially the same price. If I've forgotten my little step stool then I have to stand on the rear tire and the sliders so it makes it a hair easier. I have no plans to throw out my NRS straps and the way they last it'll be a long time before I need any new ones. I just hate seeing people use ratcheting straps and deforming their hulls.

 

Ratchet straps, man. That’s too much tension. I use those for lumber!

 

Never been an issue on my ARE