tacoma + kayak

Just recently picked up the truck and was planning on getting a fishing kayak soon (prob 10-12footer). I was thinking about using a "J-rack" with the OEM roof rack. The fishing kayaks seem to be wider and heavier than regular recreational kayaks, so I'm not entirely sure it would fit properly. Does anyone use J-racks for your fishing kayaks? Or would I need to get a saddle-style rack instead? TIA!

 

Could just get a bed extender and throw it in the back. That's what I used to do. Here's my 2014 with an 11.5' kayak so a 12' wouldn't be much different.

 

I’ve used em all. Haul my yaks about 2x’s a week. J racks are least stable. Hull design on fishing kayaks grab a lot of wind. Bed extender are great. I use them when I’m hauling more than 2 kayaks. I haul a lot of gear in the bed so that doesn’t work for me. Saddle racks are my go to racks. I also have been using a Thule Hullevator recently. Always use a bow strap and tie down.

 

I thought about doing the same in my DCLB but if I want to bring my bikes and kayaks I'll need another solution. I'm thinking a hauler rack like a TracRac to hold the kayaks and put our bikes in the bed along with camping gear.

 

I use a Thule kayak stacker on my rack. It should work with the OEM rack as it just clamps around the bar basically. That’s a 9.5’ Pelican for my wife and a 10.5’ fishing kayak for me.

 

I just put my Outback Kayak in the 6' bed of my truck with the tailgate down. Tie Down straps keep it from sliding out.

 

I think that's how I'll go about it, too.

A nicely radius on a T-bone receiver brace from Boon Dox, I believe it is. Will give me good clearance on various terrain and angles of approach as my launch spots may be far off main roads.

I've been holding off on tool boxes and bed covers until I get my fishing yak and get it all figured out.

 

This is what we do with our 14’ canoe. Works great.

 

I built this for mine, but since I also built the boats, I wanted something unique.

 

This. 11.5 kayak.

 

Everyone said to go this route so I did. Except I have 2, wider than average fishing kayaks. I loaded them up and thought "this works great!". Then I realized I had no where to put my gear. I've got to figure out some kind of rack solution without spending $600+

 

That’s exactly why I was hoping to be able to put it on top of the OEM roof rack...would like to be able to use the bed for gear.

 

Big thread on the same topic here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-transport-kayaks.445705/

I have very specific requirements for my set up. I need to transport a 16' and a 14' open water kayak, I want the Truxedo tonneau cover closed while doing it, and I want the rack system to be easily removable. The access cab makes these requirements much more difficult. Everyone seems to make cab racks for the double cab, but they shy away from the access-cab.

After much deliberation, I've decided on a Rhino-Rack Vortex bar for the cab, which will use the kayak saddles from my old TracRac SR system, and a Yakima Dry Dock for the trailer hitch, which will use Yakima kayak saddles. I'm not crazy about hitch mounted racks, but I really don't have a choice. Toyota really needs to add stake pockets to these trucks one way or another.

Once I get everything test fit and the boats loaded up, I'll post some photos in the thread I linked.

 

I’m also in the truck bed extender club. For my 12.5’er. I love the fact loading is so much easier as I don’t have to hoist the thing high onto a roof rack.

 

This is what I use.
https://www.etrailer.com/Ladder-Racks/Toyota/Tacoma/2017/59799.html?vehicleid=201734799
Easy to take on and off once it’s put together, really solid too. Eventually I’ll get some saddles for the kayaks but right now we just strap em right to the bars.

 

Got any pics of your setup??

We have a short bed rack over top of the tonneau cover with a t-bar out the back attached to my hitch. Can haul 2 13' yaks VERY stable too. We have a short bed. The yaks lay down flat. Tried J-bars on it but like them laying flat better.

 

I'm on the fence about the J hooks vs the adjustable saddle ones. Why do you not like the J hook?

 

Just throw it in the back, and go!

 

Where are you tying the bow strap?