How to fit two 10-foot kayak in the track bed?

[TheGoodEgg]

I am trying to figure out a way to load/unload the kayaks without having to buy expensive kayak racks. Any suggestions?

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[MakinDoForNow]

I am trying to figure out a way to load/unload the kayaks without having to buy expensive kayak racks. Any suggestions?

What is budget $$?

 

[Steve Urquell]

$60 harbor Freight hitch extender

https://www.harborfreight.com/truck-bed-extender-69650.html

 

[TheGoodEgg]

What is budget $$?

Well, it's not about budget (though I'd rather not spend a bunch of money). Some of the kayak racks out there are a pain to put on and take off for occasional recreation with kayak. I'm afraid in the end I am just lazy enough to just leave them in the garage and not use them often enough. A hitch extender sounds like a solution but to extend more than half of the kayak out from the bed seems kinda ... unsightly. Also, when I park, I will need to take the extender out or fold it up.

 

[Steve Urquell]

Here's what @Trucklett2023 s looks like. The long yak is 10' 4". Short one is 9'6"
Maybe he'll chime in about it.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Well, it's not about budget (though I'd rather not spend a bunch of money). Some of the kayak racks out there are a pain to put on and take off for occasional recreation with kayak. I'm afraid in the end I am just lazy enough to just leave them in the garage and not use them often enough. A hitch extender sounds like a solution but to extend more than half of the kayak out from the bed seems kinda ... unsightly. Also, when I park, I will need to take the extender out or fold it up.

I am thinking about about making 4 rectangular pieces out of strut channel which could be bolted together and bolted to the channel or threaded holes in the bed. After those are assembled they could be bolted to each other and to truck bed with 12 to 16 bolts. Would make a light weight over cab rack that could be broken down for flat storage. I would think you could get a better over cab setup cheaper that would be no harder to install after doing so a couple of times

 

[Trucklett2023]

Amazon:
MaxxHaul 70231 Hitch Mount Pick Up Truck Bed Extender For Ladder, Rack, Canoe, Kayak, Long Pipes and Lumber) , Black , 37 x 19 x 3 inches https://a.co/d/g6e1Udi

comes with reflectors and a flag! It differs from the harbor freight one because it has vertical side guards.

 

[Trucklett2023]

Here's what @Trucklett2023 s looks like. The long yak is 10' 4". Short one is 9'6"
Maybe he'll chime in about it.

Thanks for the shout-out! I replied to the thread with some photos and the link!

update: it’s working great and we have hauled them multiple times with no issues! Extremely easy to load and unload the kayaks!

 

[TheGoodEgg]

Love the photos. I am going to order this and give it a try.

 

[Steve Urquell]

Thanks for the shout-out! I replied to the thread with some photos and the link!

update: it’s working great and we have hauled them multiple times with no issues! Extremely easy to load and unload the kayaks!

What I really like about this solution is that you don't have to lift the kayak high up. Much safer on your back.

 

[Trucklett2023]

Love the photos. I am going to order this and give it a try.

I think you’ll be more than happy with it! I know I am! It’s also multi purpose and you can use it if you’re ever hauling longer lumber or anything else!

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...A hitch extender sounds like a solution but to extend more than half of the kayak out from the bed seems kinda ... unsightly...

IIRC, with tailgate down, "extended bed" length is 6½ft.
So for a 10'4" kayak shown in the photos, you would have less than half of it out beyond that. You'd still need a red flag on the kayak end, though.

 

[Tim d]

$60 harbor Freight hitch extender

https://www.harborfreight.com/truck-bed-extender-69650.html

Is that a 10 foot kayak? Would it work for two kayaks?

 

[Ran9erboy84]

I bought a universal roof rack off of ebay and the bed extender off Amazon.

 

[SteveW12TCA]

Amazon:
MaxxHaul 70231 Hitch Mount Pick Up Truck Bed Extender For Ladder, Rack, Canoe, Kayak, Long Pipes and Lumber) , Black , 37 x 19 x 3 inches https://a.co/d/g6e1Udi

comes with reflectors and a flag! It differs from the harbor freight one because it has vertical side guards.

This looks great! Any issues with securing and transporting both kayaks together? The link on Amazon only shows one kayak.

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