OEM Roof Rack with 2 Kayaks - is it possible?

Hey all - I have a 2nd Gen Tacoma with the OEM roof rack installed, and I was thinking about buying 2 kayaks to use for the summer. Is it possible to attach 2 10' kayaks to the OEM roof rack without any additional racks?

UPDATE: I just want to thank everybody for all of their responses, it was all extremely helpful. I went ahead and bought a pair of 10' kayaks and just strapped them into the bed with the tailgate down. First I put them on top of each other, but it seemed to dent the bottom kayak a bit. So now I just strap one to each side of the bed and it works great. They hang out a bit, but it worked perfectly fine. I will definitely be using these a lot more now that I know I can easily transport them.

 

Probably not a good idea with just the oem roof rack, as the kayaks would be parachutes up there since they'd be leaning into the bed

 

I was wondering if there was someway to tie them up similar to this picture below with the OEM roof rack, or if there was something I needed to do to get them to hook up like this.

 

I would think two kayaks strapped level to the roof would be a breeze for your truck. In the picture the guy has a cradle but I think multple bungies or straps would be fine. I have hauled my one laying down flat in the bed with the gate open and a flag on the end. I think you could do two just as easily. Nothing to it.

 

Even with a 5 foot bed? I am not familiar with Kayaks since I don't own one, but if I could get this to work that would be awesome!

 

Depends on length of kayak - I hauled my 10.5 foot easy and would be comfortable with a twelve in a short bed.
Kayaks are of course very light - it does not take much to keep it in place in the bed. That said, I triple strap stuff like that - bikes etc - so that even if two failed the thing stays in. Stuff your jackets and other stuff in the cockpit if sit-in - strap down on top or otherwise secure stuff in it if it is a sit-on-top.

 

This is extremely encouraging. I am looking at 10 foot kayaks, so if I could pull off something like the below picture, I would certainly like to do that. I didn't know it was legal or possible with my Tacoma.

 

My bet is those are not tens. 12s easy I think. A ten or two you will have no problem.

 

I've hauled a 10' kayak in my short bed, but I have a bed extender that I put down. I personally don't see why you couldn't leave the tailgate down and strap them in using the d-rings at the back of your bed though

 

The advantage of the bed over the roof is of course better aerodynamics - and ease of load in and out.

That is exactly as I have done - no extender.

 

Awesome - thank you for the input! I'm pretty sure I'm going to pull the trigger on this and give kayaking a shot now that I know they are easy to transport with my Taco.

 

I do have one additional question around this, what are the legal requirements if the kayaks are hanging off that much from the truck? Is it just as simple as putting a flag on the end of them?

 

Two kayaks will be wider than the rack so unless you add a 'J' rack to your current setup putting them in the bed is the best option.

 

I am able to carry a single 10 foot kayak in my short bed with my tailgate down, you bought a truck, use the bed. whats the point of the bed if you use the roof?



Not my truck but this guy seems to have no problem with 2 10 footers, might be 12 feet

 

Those specialized carriers should be exclusive for fancy pants fiberglass racing kayaks. Most other plastic resin kayaks are rugged enough to just toss in the back.

 

That I couldn't say in your jurisdiction - I would ask the local kayak canoe shop - or do as I did and just did it - I would hazzard a guess you have seen similar in your locale and didn't think twice about it.

 

On a previous vehicle (2006 Pathfinder), I stacked a pair of "sit-on-top" kayaks on top of each other onto the oem roof rack. I ran the rope through the holes and had no issue.

I have the same pair of kayaks, that I am trying to figure out how to carry on my Gen2 (currently w/o roof rack). I may overthinking it - I will probably just load them in the bed flat as mentioned above. I may even keep the Tailgate up so they stick out and upward.

 

I have a longbed with a 6ft bed and haul a 8.5ft kayak in the bed. Tailgate is up and it just rests on top of it with a bit hanging over.

I'm not sure I'd like a 10ft/12ft kayak hanging out of a 5ft bed though

 

You could check out www.yakima.com they show multiple options for factory roof racks even for kayaks. Not sure what is available for the Tacoma's factory roof rack. You could also go with numerous available bed racks.

 

Check your state laws. In Texas ...

Sec. 547.382. LIGHTING EQUIPMENT ON PROJECTING LOADS.
(a) A vehicle transporting a load that extends to the rear at least four feet beyond the bed or body of the vehicle shall display on the extreme end of the load at the times specified in Section 547.302(a) ("Duty to Display Lights... at nighttime"):
__(1) two red lamps visible at a distance of at least 500 feet from the rear;
__(2) two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width and are visible at nighttime at all distances from 100 to 600 feet from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps; and
__(3) two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet from the side.

(b) At all other times, a vehicle transporting a load that extends beyond the vehicle's sides or more than four feet beyond the vehicle's rear shall display red flags that:
__(1) are at least 12 inches square;
__(2) mark the extremities of the load; and
__(3) are placed where a lamp is required by this section.