Will this cause damage to the tailgate - buckling ?

This is how I've always carried mine and I've never had any troubles with weight on the tailgate. I think someone else already mentioned above but the first time I carried mine like this, the kayak did saw into the molding on the tailgate. I just put a towel down now and it's good to go.

 

How do you know when you have strapped them down tight enough so they dont go flying off on the highway?

Also is a 5 foot bed sufficiently long to transport 12 foot kayaks over the tailgate like OP wants to do?

 

Well, you tie the front solid with a rope or strap to a front eye hook. This will keep the kayak from sliding backwards.

Then you just put a strap over the top of the kayak to keep it from going up. As long as your straps are connected with locking carabiners then you will never loose your load.

I would say no, your going to have 7 feet sticking up and out of the bed, your focal point will be at the 5 foot mark so the kayak will want to tip out of the bed like a see saw loaded with a fat kid on 1 side.

Also keep in mind that you need a flag if you stick out of the bed more than 3-4 feet (depends on state)

If you plan to move 12 footers, I would say get either a bed rack so they can go partly over the cab, or get a hitch bar to support the rear end.

 

Thanks zpcrowson42 THIS is exacty what I wanted to see. Thanks for providing the pic!

 

For me, when I starts seeing the rachet straps pull the d rings or bed together then I need to stop.

 

No problem! For reference, I obviously have the 5ft bed and one kayak is 9.5' and the other 10'. I've even turned them all sideways and fit a 3rd kayak on there with no issues.

 

Good to know -the 2 yaks i have are each 10 feet long and fit well
Thanks again for the info and pic

 

I own a Sport premium and I've hauled loads of lumber sitting on the tailgate like this with no issues at all... I think he's good. At least I was...

 

i am jealous of anyone who owns a kayak right now. i have been trying to get one for weeks, they are impossible to find right now.

 

If you keeps checking Dicks sporting goods online, AND buy it online when its available you will find one. It took me 3 weeks and I was able to get 2 kayaks. (Had to drive 60 mile but I got them) good luck!

 

Mine came in today. Put the deposit on it on June 27th. My local shop got 3 in today out of an order of 30 for their summer order.

 

For me at least, join a kayak group on social media in your area, plenty of posters always selling used kayaks.

 

Same here, I kept checking dicks, finally a shipment came in and they were sold out by lunch.

Though my first kayak I got for free from a friend who was moving to another state and didnt want to bring it with him. But that was just a recreational kayak that I modified into a fishing kayak. My new one is a actual fishing kayak.

 

I've had a 36" manhole frame, weighing almost 500 lbs, resting about 75% of its weight on my tailgate and the the rest on the bed of the truck. You should be fine.

 

How about 800lb o.o? Asking for a friend.

 

with the tailgate up? pass the gate?

 

Tailgate down, 900 lbs resting on the middle of the tailgate.

 

Damn got my hope up

 

I’m not that crazy, 900 lbs on top of the tailgate is a lot.

 

I just hate driving with my tailgate down... I feel like things will slide out!! HAHAH and its oppose to people.... 6ftbed problems....