Carrying Canoes/kayaks

I have a 06 Access cab SR5 with a 6ft bed and I have a little 12ft aluminum canoe and I am looking to haul it around this summer. I'm not sure the best way to do so without spending a fortune. I could get a bed rack, but that could leave stuff in the bed to get wet. I could get a cap, but those can be really pricy and hard to find used that fit. Any suggestions/setups?

 

Problem - Need to haul boat while keeping crap dry. Low budget.

Solution - find a used contractor rack. Put boat on rack. Organize crap into plastic bins. Like this:

 

This guy is on to something… thank you!!

 

Caps are easy to find, and condition dictates cost, $300-$1500

contractor style caps have roof racks on them already

 

Caps are really nice for the job but yes, $$$.
My setup



Goal Post rack from Amazon or HF will do the job.

If you put it in the bed, you will need lights at 12'

$57 ECOTRIC Truck Bed Extender Pickup Truck Bed Hitch Mount Extension Rack SUV Lumber Ladder Canoe Boat Kayak Long Pipes w/Flag 750lbs Capacity

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AW6BEBK

$70 PENSUN Truck Bed Extender, 2 in 1 Design Foldable Pick Up Truck Bed Hitch Mount Extension Rack for Canoe Kayak Ladder Lumber, 800lbs Load Capacity, w/Reflective Tapes (Truck Bed Extender)

https://www.amazon.com/PENSUN-Desig...ocphy=9031027&hvtargid=pla-2281435180058&th=1

 

Do like we used to do before Yakima and Thule were a thing, build a rack out of 2x4s that you can slide in and out of the bed as needed. If you need it to be compact for storage use wing nuts instead of bolts on part and you can quickly disassemble it. It's a shame we don't have stake pockets and side tie down hooks anymore like a proper truck bed but once you throw your straps over it it's not going anywhere.

 

You've got a 6' bed. You can leave the tailgate up and slide it in then strap it down. You don't need anything but a couple of ratchet straps.

I have one of these that I use with my 5' bed. With it flipped out I have a 6' bed and I carry my 12' kayak easily. You could have a 7' bed with one.

$139 SOENBOO Truck Bed Extender, Aluminum Retractable Tailgate Extender, 49"-61" Adjustable Length, Drill Required, Fits for Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Maverick, Santa Cruz

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9Y7KVVL/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=50ded36430b45908339be52f93de956d&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1744840382&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&pd_rd_w=4snw0&content-id=amzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942%3Aamzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_p=8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_r=QVFHV64RY8FWE367CGC7&pd_rd_wg=jU79i&pd_rd_r=f57260b1-f6aa-4ca6-b8e3-c48d13882960&th=1

Or you could buy one of these.

$60 MaxxHaul 70231 Hitch Mount Pick Up Truck Bed Extender For Ladder, Rack, Canoe, Kayak, Long Pipes and Lumber) , Black , 37 x 19 x 3"es

https://www.amazon.com/MaxxHaul-70231-Extender-Ladder-Lumber/dp/B01D4CXIKY?adgrpid=1337006703459702&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vhdcN8EdxYJf7SmLef9ej_nAPmyW4uu5R-87phV85kdXi9JGg26FScnny1tPIldYNKX15YWlk4xh9mUodWBp5b7tqnphc8HP9PpouA-jp6b3PeUTNW_PRytVRKuGRkJerv63ikDwoFNWss6u2x5aXRYoL5mu0lLheDgruYe1Ci-_5_JZYnc2e-hXipFfpQHpEEMn6yvRx78Er-pTQL0jmhA7o8ndMFhmROnnrJ2JG33R6BSagssi15PhgTUut_RbY310D52Mk_HVRtUeIm5osp8aSfx4mRSI0_rt75emUQU.59-XmmYom_AglZX-6nxA7cjUqT1Px1juYsE6-dT72AM&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83563158066885&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80231&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83563264023456%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=7031_13212372&keywords=truck+extender+bed&mcid=d0856517aa3a37eeb9e93b44fd33bcbc&qid=1744840494&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.9fe8cbfa-bf43-43d1-a707-3f4e65a4b666&th=1

 

15' yaks

 

In Oregon...

Your overhang on the back of the vehicle cannot extend more than 3/4 of the length of the wheelbase of your pickup truck bed, regardless of the extender (there is nothing in Oregon law that exempts length limits based on an extender). You would need to measure first your wheelbase and then multiply by . 75.

I suggest looking at your states laws and determine if 1) lights are needed, 2) flagging is OK, 3) allowable length.

 

Do you just have the foam blocks bungeed on? Thx

 

Yes. Makes that surface about level with the boards in the bed while giving a bit of cushion.

They are actually gunwale blocks that typically fit on canoes to carry upside down on a vehicle rooftop

 

Hey all! I feel this is one of the subjects that we all tend to overlook here. It honestly depends on the size of our item (how heavy, how long). Heavier kayaks are a pita to get on top of a rack. Tie down points are limited as someone else said. Bed storage takes away a lot. I went with an "uptop" truss system when I was building up my design and go between a lift system for the kayak to go on top or just slide it into the bed for short local trips (bought a cheapy bed extension for I think $60 off Amazon/walmart that works great). The great thing about the truss is that you can add whatever to help like a roller on the back with sliding things up as well as all the tie down points. I went all out, but you only need the rack for the canoe/kayak. Mine is way overboard (but it was my retirement gift from the military to myself).

ps. my kayak is just under 11ft and weighs about 120 lbs. to give you an idea of what you can do

 

Thx

 

KB Voodoo VRS kayak rack with TMS cradles.

 

Went out over the weekend and it was easy and straight forward. No lifting over the head or anything like that. My bed is also short a foot due to the retrax cover I have on it and it still fits and travels nicely.

 

I use both roof rack and hitch extender for my canoe depending on the situation. If just staying on pavement going to a local/public launch, I'll use my bed and the extender. Super quick and easy.

If I'm going off road to a remote pond, my canoe is up on my roof rack.

 

Yeah, but did you catch anything?

 

Didn't fish too much! I wanted to test out my new fishing poles/reels, kayak wheels, layout of my gear on the yak, and scout the waters. I'm prepping up for the snakehead season, so it'll start shortly. Trout and shad season are over, so I'm going to hit the stripers next from boat. There is a season for everything....and I'm thinking about trying the carp/catfish just to hang on for dear life and go for a kayak sled ride.
Obligatory fish pics!
3 new rod setups (2 spin/1 bait)




Snakehead

 

Lower tailgate. Slide it in. Strap it down. Attach a red flag to the end that sticks out. Go fishing.

This is my 12 foot Sportsman PDL in my 6 foot bed. This kayak is heavy af, but it slides well on the bed. 3 attachment points with the straps keep it secured in place.