Need help on securing Kayak better in a truck bed?

Question

I have a toyota tacoma single cab short bed truck! And when i put my (whitewater) kayak in the bed of my truck it hangs out a little! does anybody have a better way of straping a kayak in the bed of a truck? What about a truck bed rack for kayaks is that a good investment or a waste of money?

Answer 1

If you do it a lot, look at Yakima or Thule racks. Not interchangeable, but those are the big names in high-quality gear racks. Yaks, bikes, skiis, etc. For all kinds of different vehicles. Their websites can match your vehicles with your toy and give you the options.

There are dense foam saddles that fit the round bottom of a kayak and make it sit flat on a roof. About $10 each. REI has them. You'd use two for a car roof, I guess one between the boat and your cab roof.

National rafting supply has great straps:

http://nrsweb.resultspage.com/boating/Cam%20Straps

And good straps make a huge difference. DON'T use bungies. They won't hold against the cornering and aerodynamic forces. Get about 4 12-footers and 2 20-footers. Great for when you haul plywood, refridgerators, etc, too.

Do you have those 2"x3" or 2"x4" recievers in the sidewalls? Drop lumber in the back ones and put on a cross piece. Now you can secure the kayak at the back and over the cab.

Stop by a donut shop and ask a cop about state/local rules about overhanging loads. 0-2 feet might need nothing. 2 to 4 feet might need a flag. Over something (4? 6?) isn't allowed. Check locally.