Boats in beds.

Does anyone else haul a small boat in their bed? I have one of these and I'm planning a small winch in the bed to pull it into my bed. Any suggestions? Now before someone tells me to get a bigger boat, I'll say that I fish on a reservoir that won't allow it. I can fish on Loch Raven for pennies a day in this thing. Thinking I'll mount the winch on the rail against the cab.

 

Mine won't fit in the bed...

 

Lol. Some of the places I go, it's tough to get parking with a trailer.

 

How heavy is the boat?

 

Probably around 200 lbs with the engine.

 

200 pounds is not bad. As long as the dimensions of the boat fit in the bed go for it. My dirt bike weighs 250 and the truck handles that with ease.
You may want to make some sort of cradle for the boat, something that would mimic a trailer. But the bed of the truck can handle that weight no problem.

 

I had it in to bring it home. It fit perfectly. I'm thinking that it will be hard to get in at that angle from the water. I'd like to keep the cap on it too for when my dog rides around. Thinking a winch from harbor freight would be good to pull it in. I mean it slid nice in on a level surface, but I have a lift and a boat ramp to content with. Thinking a winch would pull it in nicely.

 

I haul my 14'-8" Jackson Kilroy DT with a bar extender. Really great setup and good gas millage too with the tonneau down. It hangs out pretty far, but I have not had any issues yet. I built a canvas cover so on long trips I can pack it full and keep eyes off any gear.

 

Should have bought a long bed.

 

haha, what, to add a foot?! Agree though. Would have fit my 7'-0" rod diagonal. Now they're in the cab

 

I have that same boat diff brand name. Sun dolphin is my branded lil boat. It works fantastic.....You don't need a winch to load. Its light enough to tip against the truck tail gate grab the other end lift up and slide in. I have mine is set up with a little roof canopy and a little trolling motor and a deep cycle rv battery for lakes that allow it. If they are not allowed i just un-hook it from the boat and just use paddles. I also have a transom dolly so i dont have to carry it all the time....It's like giant wheel barrow and i have wheeled it down some rocky stuff and up to 1.5 miles to get into small ponds reservoirs and lakes you would never see a boat in. But they are allowed in them and this a canoe or similar boat is the only way to get in these spots.