Best way to haul a kayak?

[pj07Limited]

I've been thinking of buying a kayak (10 or 12 foot) but am a little unsure of how I would haul it around. I'm thinking the best way would be to just haul it in the bed with the tailgate down, I believe this will work well if I stick to the 10 foot kayak and develop a system for securing it to the in-bed tiedowns which will leave 4 foot hanging over the end that I can just tie a flag too and hope nobody rear-ends me.

The roof rack carrier in the link below seems good but it also seems like it could be a pain, especially since the roof is not that long and the bow and stern would need to be tied down to the front/rear bumpers.

http://www.lombardfordaccessories.c...productID=13272&categoryID=34&productTypeID=7

After more research I think this trailer hitch bed extender is the way to go (the reviews are really good), with it I can haul a kayak in the bed of the truck or use it in conjunction with the roof rack to put the kayak up high and still use the bed for cargo. I was a little worried about having to stick with a smaller kayak since I am 6'4 200lbs, using this system should allow me to haul a 12 or 14 footer with ease.

http://www.amazon.com/Extend-A-Truck-944-Truck-Bed-Extender/dp/B00008BKX5/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

If anybody has experience hauling kayaks with their ST I'd like to hear your suggestions. I really do not want to use a trailer just for a kayak or two. Right now the bed extender seems to be the way to go, I can see it being useful a lot of other purposes too.

 

[bigwheel17]

I have several kayaks and carry them on my 2010 Sport Trac all the time with only foam pads on the factory cross bars (set as far apart as they can go). My kayaks are 13 and 14 feet long and I use cam buckle straps to tighten them down on each bar. I have never used front and rear tie-downs and have logged several thousand miles with kayaks on board at highway speeds (80 mph). I used the same method on my 2005 Sport Trac but had Yakima cross bars instead of the factory cross bars.

I looked into all kinds of options when buying my 2010 Sport Trac and decided to save money and keep it simple. I have had no problems. Almost every store and manufacturer of racks will recommend using front and back tie downs. I was worried about messing up the paint. I make sure the straps are in front of the ****pit and behind some other hooks on the kayak to keep it from sliding forward or back. When I shake the kayak after strapping it down, the whole truck moves. I watch the kayak through my moonroof to be sure it doesn't move and it never has.

Here is a picture of my truck with the kayak on top.

https://picasaweb.google.com/bigwhe...?authkey=Gv1sRgCN63ta_C9a2afQ&feat=directlink

 

[pj07Limited]

Thanks for the info and pictures BigWheel, it's good to know that the factory roof racks can handle it and that the wind resistance from the kayak isn't too much, even without the front/rear tiedowns. I do plan on getting some good blocks and straps no matter how I decide to haul it.

P.S.
I like the wheels and the aftermarket grill.

 

[bigwheel17]

Thanks pj07Limited. Good luck with the kayaks. I think they are a great way to get out and enjoy nature. Have fun.

 

[mooshin]

I don't have any input on the kayak, but what wheels are those and in what size? They look great.

 

[bigwheel17]

Thanks for the compliment mooshin.

The wheels are made by Fuel and they are the Gauge model. They are 18". I am not sure that they regularly manufacture the 18" in the right lug pattern and offset for our trucks. I do think they make the 20" wheel that has the right lug pattern/offset.

I looked long and hard for an aggressive looking wheel that had the right specs for the Sport Trac. I wanted to stay with the 18" size to save money. I was driving the guys at Discount tire crazy because we couldn't find a wheel that I liked that fit the truck. I lucked out when they talked to a guy at the Fuel Headquarters and he had an 18" wheel with the right offset that was blank (not drilled yet). They agreed to drill the wheel with the right lug pattern and I had my wheels.

I was not a big fan of the chrome stock wheels so I am much happier when I walk up to my truck now!

 

[mooshin]

18x?
What offset?

 

[bigwheel17]

18X9, can't remember the exact offset. I will ask the next time I am at the shop I bought the wheels from.