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Kayaks and bestops

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jackwithcorona, Apr 2, 2011.

  1. Apr 2, 2011 at 10:51 AM
    #1
    jackwithcorona

    jackwithcorona [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mike
    Eastern Mass
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    13 DCSB SR5 4x4
    bestop supertop, rubber bed mat, weathertech floor mats
    does anyone have experience transporting two regular size kayaks with a bestop? i understand the no roof rack for the bestop (or any that is reasonably priced) i just wanted to know what experience y'all have with this.
    i have a few ideas, mostly just stuffing them in the bed with the tailgate down (not preferred) or purchasing one of those kayak kits for cars without a roofrack (does anyone recommend a brand?) or lastly, biting the bullet and getting an aftermarket roof rack... and if so please let me know what you have done. this goes for anyone with a cap and no racks on top of it.
    as always, thanks in advance.
     
  2. Apr 2, 2011 at 2:07 PM
    #2
    jackwithcorona

    jackwithcorona [OP] Well-Known Member

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    bestop supertop, rubber bed mat, weathertech floor mats
    bump
    mods, if you know of a more appropriate forum for this let me know but i couldnt think of anywhere else to put it
     
  3. Apr 2, 2011 at 6:51 PM
    #3
    TerryS

    TerryS Well-Known Member

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    Cape Cod, Mass.
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    '19 Barcelona Red DCSB TRD OR
    Roof rack, step boards, window visors, hood protector, tonneau cover, bed extender & small lift kit.
    Mike, wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but if I'm going out alone, I just throw it in the bed. If I'm going out with others, I have a small kayak trailer that will hold 4. Seems to me that you're on the right track with something like lightweight bars that attach to the bed rails so your kayak is suspended above the bed and you can keep your Bestop on. I'll be interested to read what others might offer.
     
  4. Apr 2, 2011 at 7:33 PM
    #4
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

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    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    My thought is to get the pads for the cars roof, they come with straps. This next part is either the deal killer or not ..... get 2" unistrut square tubing and use that to build a "T" support bar up from and out of the trailer hitch.That assumes you have one. The obvious downside is if you build it in its simplest form , the tailgate will be blocked.
    Unistrut is just a brand name of square channel, they have holes every inch on all 4 sides. Once out of the hitch,you could use 1" or 1.5" to save weight and money.Also for vertical support, you can use 2 sizes close and allow it to be telescopic to adjust height to the task. Also Im assuming a 14' sea kayak, not sure how it will work on a squirt boat n such.
     
  5. Apr 2, 2011 at 7:36 PM
    #5
    paintdiddy

    paintdiddy Machine gun shits

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    I best part of the best top is it folds down.couldn't you put a thick foam on the back of cab and strap it down that way?
     
  6. Apr 2, 2011 at 7:46 PM
    #6
    jackwithcorona

    jackwithcorona [OP] Well-Known Member

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    bestop supertop, rubber bed mat, weathertech floor mats
    these are all good replies, and i appreciate the input so far. i want to attempt to keep the bestop up when travelling (storage), and i dont need the tailgate thing my kayaks go on the roof of my wifes car on their sides. i want to be able to camp out of the truck, and have the kayaks to go along, and not have to shove two saoking wet kayaks in our sleeping area.
    but ANYWAYS, to make a long story short, i want them on the roof and i wanted to know what my cheapest/most reliable options would be. i will buy an oem roof rack if that is the best option, but i would like to go cheaper than that, but i dont know about the foam block roof racks for universal application. if anyone has used these, its just for kayaks and thats all, and i want to know if they are even worth purchasing, or i should go all out and buy a legitimate rack. reading other threads, others seemed to shy away from the universal racks but it didnt seem like they were using them for kayaks, and it seemed like noone had ever bothered with them to begin with
     
  7. Apr 2, 2011 at 7:52 PM
    #7
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

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    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    Yea, that bestop makes for a unique challenge.
     
  8. Apr 2, 2011 at 7:57 PM
    #8
    GSD

    GSD Well-Known Member

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    Nitto terra grapplers,raider cap with thule tracker two roof system, 13 inch rubber antenna, wire harness mod, seat belt chime mod
    I think the only good option is an aftermarket rack on the roof of your truck with a decent kayak rack on that. My experience with Kayaks is that you want them nice and secure on a proper rack especially if you are on the highway. My two Yacks cost alot of money and I don't want to be stressed on my vacation wondering if they are gonna fly off and kill someone.
     
  9. Apr 2, 2011 at 8:17 PM
    #9
    TerryS

    TerryS Well-Known Member

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    Roof rack, step boards, window visors, hood protector, tonneau cover, bed extender & small lift kit.
    It seems to me that the framework is the toughest part, since it must stand around the Bestop without touching it. A ladder rack could be used, such as to be seen at http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...0QGrramKDA&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:23,s:0 although it need not be so stout. And it should be removable. There are welders who could make you something or modify a commercial rack. I'd look on Craigslist too.
     
  10. Apr 2, 2011 at 8:26 PM
    #10
    indycross

    indycross Well-Known Member

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    Dripping Springs, Texas
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    what size yaks (length) are you running? I have a ocean kayak 12' (roughly about 60 lbs dry weight) and carried it in my bed primarily.

    My buddy has a nice set up with a roof rack/hitch set up that potentially take some of the load off of your bestop; however they still may require a roof application as well (just for added tie down security)

    the hitch option is similar to this:
    http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-DryDock-Hitch-Adapter-Carriers/dp/B00066YTZA
     
  11. Apr 2, 2011 at 8:37 PM
    #11
    GSD

    GSD Well-Known Member

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    Nitto terra grapplers,raider cap with thule tracker two roof system, 13 inch rubber antenna, wire harness mod, seat belt chime mod
    Could you not just do this with the bestop on the back?

    images.jpg
     
  12. Apr 2, 2011 at 9:17 PM
    #12
    jackwithcorona

    jackwithcorona [OP] Well-Known Member

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    bestop supertop, rubber bed mat, weathertech floor mats
    Gsd is on the right track. I've come to the conclusion to get a roof rack but I'm not sure which one to get. The oem is good, and I have a kayak rack from my wifes truck and the small river kayaks fit fine there. I appreciate all the help guys
     
  13. Apr 3, 2011 at 6:40 AM
    #13
    GSD

    GSD Well-Known Member

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    Nitto terra grapplers,raider cap with thule tracker two roof system, 13 inch rubber antenna, wire harness mod, seat belt chime mod
    I have had Thule products for a long time and and have never been disappointed. There are a few trucks on here with the Thule bars and the farring in the front for wind that look badass.
     
  14. Apr 3, 2011 at 7:40 AM
    #14
    jcayce

    jcayce Well-Known Member

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    If you haven't bought the Bestop yet, don't do it:

    http://www.softopper.com/Truck_Racks_and_Accessories-list.aspx

    Don't get me wrong, I like the look of the Bestop and prefer the windows on the side, I just don't like how it looks where it meets the cab. I thought about ordering one and bending the frame near the front to make it line up with the cab better but bailed on the idea thinking that there was no way the fabric would stretch.

    I ordered the softopper last weekend with the bike racks *(Inno above the bed rack system for sale soon!)*
     
  15. Apr 3, 2011 at 2:22 PM
    #15
    jackwithcorona

    jackwithcorona [OP] Well-Known Member

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    bestop supertop, rubber bed mat, weathertech floor mats
    I already installed the bestop and the gap is actually better than in the photos as I was going to be critical of that same point. Looks like a roof rack is gonna be the option, now which one... that's a whole other thread
     
  16. Apr 3, 2011 at 2:36 PM
    #16
    mntbiker2008

    mntbiker2008 First I derp.. then I herp

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    I have a yakima rack for my car. Check out craigslist for Yakima rack. I scored my mounts, bars, and 3 bike attachments on there for $175! I used to sell Yakima racks at a bike shop. they have mounts that you shut the door on top of (Q Tower)

    [​IMG]


    I would get the Q towers, cross bar wide enough for the truck, and if it works, I just bought the Yakima Evenkeel for my kayak. It only holds one though. if you want to hold 2, the Yakima kayak stacker or hull raiser is decent. The only reason I didn't get those is because the kayak sits on its side and that can be an issue with wind.
     
  17. Apr 3, 2011 at 2:40 PM
    #17
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Well-Known Member

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    A few bolts are different.
    4 boats with Yakima
    [​IMG]

    this is the result, too much weight + worn/deteriorated foot pads = F'd roof
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Apr 3, 2011 at 2:44 PM
    #18
    GSD

    GSD Well-Known Member

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    Nitto terra grapplers,raider cap with thule tracker two roof system, 13 inch rubber antenna, wire harness mod, seat belt chime mod
    That looks risky on the highway! Nice work though.
     
  19. Apr 3, 2011 at 2:56 PM
    #19
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Well-Known Member

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    A few bolts are different.
    the dent was from 70mph for 80+ miles. If the boats were going to fly off the roof was going with it the way we had them tied. I will never do that again though, non of those boats are under 12 foot, longest was 17'.
     
  20. Apr 3, 2011 at 3:24 PM
    #20
    mntbiker2008

    mntbiker2008 First I derp.. then I herp

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    holy crap! well I don't thing the OP will be carrying that much weight! that canoe alone probably weighs a crap load!
     

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