Kayak Hauling

Looking at picking up a 12'6" Kayak soon, and was wondering what might be the best way to transport it. I have a Retrax Pro XR which eats up the front foot of my 5ft bed, and an ikamper on my bed rack (Outpost HD).

The cover means I only get 5'9" to the edge of the tailgate with it down.

The tape measure marks out about where the aft end of the bat would end up at when loaded in the bed.


And here's a side profile of the truck, doesn't seem like there's a good way to carry a boat up top.

 

You need a cheap hitch style bed extender.

 

hitch bed extender in that situation. I use one a lot.

 

Which one do you have if you don't mind? I see the harbor freight one is pretty cheap, wondering if it'll hold up.

 

If removing your RTT and roof boxes isn't an option for kayak trips, the hitch extender is probably your only option. Otherwise, I'd probably make some kinda spacer for the distance between your roof rack height and bedrack height and just throw it up there.

 

Hitch extender for $60-$80 and a red flag. Or a trailer.

 

Boonedox


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...oQFnoECA0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1LGLx8YEM9z11SGPjiOqe9

 

Yakima longarm for adjustability. Best hitch extender.

 

this one. probably very similar to the HF model. Its solid, and will take much more than a kayak.
You can spend more, but i cant see why.

$65 7BLACKSMITH Adjustable Steel Pick Up Truck Bed Hitch Extender Extension Rack for Boat Lumber Long Loads Canoe Ladder

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079FSSN4P?ie=UTF8

 

Thanks for the info. Looks like one of these is the way to go.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-are-you-mounting-your-kayaks.550622/

This is a really helpful post that has lots of good recommendations. It’s a recent topic with up to date info plus lots of cool set ups.

 

What about something like foam blocks up top with rachet straps? The arm looks like. A great option. This may be an alternative, but you'd have to remove the kayak every time you want to use the tent.

 

Stack them on top....

 

Have you considered picking up an old boat trailer? I got this trailer a few weeks back for $250, and spent a weekend spray painting it and installing a trailer light kit. I'm all in to the trailer for less than $300. I had the crossbars and j-cradles from when we used to put our kayaks on the roof rack of a Santa Fe. The plus side is it keeps the bed open for gear.

 

Yep, I did the same a few years back. Found an old jet ski trailer on Craigslist for $100 bucks that works great. No more having to lift my heavy fishing kayak up onto the roof.

 

Great thread! Watching for ideas myself.

 

I like the Malone trailer for two kayaks and the Yakima bed extender for one kayak. Two boats on the bed extender is pushing it, but possible if you spoon them and strap them right.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-are-you-mounting-your-kayaks.550622/