Kayak Problems...UGHHHH!

I am ready to pull the trigger on a Jackson Coosa HD... BUT I can't come up with the magic combination to haul it. I have a Diamondback 270 aluminum tonneau. I attach my bikes to the top with fork mounts. If I run with the tailgate down it would stick out a country mile. The boat weighs 85lbs so throwing it on the roof is pretty much out of the question. A trailer is a pain in the ass and Wouldn't allow me to take it on camping trips... How are you guys hauling boats by yourself on a Crewmax? The canoe on there in the picture is kevlar and only weighs 47lbs... I can flip it over and grab it like I'm going to portage it, then set it on the roof... Not really possible with a kayak.

 

Did you look at bedracks? you would lose the tonneau through. I bought a leitner designs one that I use for a kayak and for RTT.

 

I can build a rack, but the weight of the boat I want is what is killing the deal. I thought about putting some rollers on the rear bar of the rack. I figured I should check with the brain trust on tundras first... If it can be done, one of us has likely done it LOL

 

Oh how I wish I had a Jackson Coosa.

 

Sub'd. I just bought a SB Tundra and have been thinking about how I'll haul my fishing yak. I just put it in the bed of my Tacoma but it's a full size bed. I'll probably buy an hitch bed extender. Not ideal having it hang out the back that far, but oh well.

 

I use a Yakima Long Arm.

 

This is what I did to carry my kayaks. I’ve used it to carry other items as well and have made some really long treks with it. This setup allowed me to have a rack system and as well use a cover system as well.

I use the following for my setup,
Undercover Flex Cover for the bed cover.
Thule TracRac SR, sliding rack and slide rail bars.
Aluminum U-channel ¾” H, x 1.50” W, painted black, spacer
Longer bolts to accomandate the U-channel spacer.

I used this system, because it allows me to put away the racks when not in use.
Also TracRac makes an extension over the cab area to extend the length of the rack support area. So it should be idea for super long kayaks.

 

Can you guys seriously get a 85 lb fishing kayak up on those racks alone? I probably just need to hit the gym lol.

 

I use a Thule hulavator. It opens up and hangs on side of truck. You can then lift it into position on top of rack

 

I have a 13' Hobie and I believe it weighs 70lbs. I use a Thule roof rack with a side extension to prop up the yak at the front and then slide up the rear up the bar.

Riveting the yak with extra hand holds help with any slippery sides

 

I second the Thule Hullavator. It’s pretty helpful. Have used it for several years with a pescador 120.

Not sure how it’d work with crewmax/bedcover but it’s better than heaving a heavy boat to the top of the truck.

 

I have a coosa HD and I put mine on the roof every time I go out. At first it seemed impossible to do it myself but it’s really not that bad.

 

I can do the weight, it's just the awkwardness and lack of handles that has me worried. The hitch extenders are off the list at the moment due to wanting to take it with me on vacation with the camper. I am thinking about making a custom read bar that has rollers on it. Then I would be able to push the boat on from the rear. The height of the truck makes it hard. As I stated earlier, the canoe is 47#... It is literally quick and easy to load. I don't have a good feeling about double the weight LOL.

 

Ok if this is a dumb answer, sorry.
1. Bed extender when you aren’t using the camper.
2. When using the camper put the kayak inside or on top of the camper.
3. I haven’t done it, but it seems like it wouldn’t be hard to make rollers for the rear rack like you said, and just slide it up and over if you decide to go that way.

My ‘yaks are cheapies, I just throw them
In the bed at an angle and tie them down.

 

Just a thought Damn good price point

https://youtu.be/Fp_octslLf0

 

You can keep the tonneau with some racks like the Thule TracRac

 

if weight is of concern here is this dude loading his way up high by himself.

https://youtu.be/gC6F_JmzseU

 

Beautiful kayak, 12.6' and 85lb does make it awkward, you want to avoid tweaking your back. I think any in-the-bed solution takes away from transport storage. I'd maybe try moving the rack system back like this:



With the gate down (and rear window down as a precaution) loosen the kayak holder and move it the side. Prop the kayak on the rear bed rack rail over some scrap tent nylon to prevent scratching the kayak and crest it over from the ground standing at the back of the truck. Hop on the DB and lift the front that's now sitting on the DB onto the roof rack and make all your final adjustments.

Having bikes I used to transport like this but this is a light kid's 8'. Now I have a larger one and put both kayaks in our travel trailer. I'm assuming you're not pulling a TT.

 

I have a Diamondback HD. I've been thinking about getting one rear ladder rack from DB and one roof rack for the cab. This would give me good spread on the kayaks while still allowing access to the bed. Rear bed via the tailgate, front via the front panel.

 

Marc, are you still able to fold your cover. I have a backflipX2 and if it does fold this will definitely will work for me. Thanks

 

Ive been trolling these forums for several years. I saw your post recommended on my Google news feed and finally decided to register and reply :shrugs: I had a similar dilemma to you, but I had two kayaks and the (entire) roof wasnt an option. In the end I ended up getting two Oru Kayaks: https://www.orukayak.com/

I now fit TWO kayaks in my bed (or on the smittybilt rack) and the weight of both of them is less than a single normal kayak. The only gripe that “hardcore” kayakers have with it is the common complaint of the lack of tracking (no tracking fins on the bottom)...so I 3d printed two slide-on fins (designed them to snap off sideways under 30lbs of pressure as to not rip the hull) and epoxied them on, it glides and tracks better than my carbon fiber Kanghua (17ft). The Oru’s are super light and extremely durable. Ive taken mine in gnarly conditions and have put these kayaks through biblical torture tests, they are very durable. Plus the whole kayak lights up at night and flocks of bikini clad women tend to ask lots of questions. Sure there’s a guy every now and then but I just pretend to not speak english and wave my hands around like a buffoon. (Im joking)

I bought my first Oru off of ebay, new in box for $600. I paid full price for the second and recently ordered the tandem Oru for guests. I will be able to fit all 3 in the bed of my truck or on my smittybilt rack.

*in addition I tend to drive fast ...all the time ...and I don't feel any weight or any aerodynamic drag with the Oru’s.

 

Damn, i could buy one of this instead of buying the track rack. Too bad I already have two kayaks i got from my sister in law.

 

That's pretty cool.

 

Went to the kayak shop and found a Jackson Cuda LT... Kind of a compromise, but 56lbs... This is do-able. I have a similar design to JoshuaA , but my yakima bar is on the front of the cab rather than the back. I have a diamondback 270 with the gull-wing front lids and the flip up back. The cross member is where the rack is and leaves access to the lids, unless the bikes are mounted on top. I really like the Coosa HD, but I lifted it today and it is very awkward and heavy. I am going back to the Kayak shop one day this week to test ride a few different boats and see how stable the Cuda is or isn't. I am a huge pain in the ass when it comes to things like this. Between OCD and my "buy once, cry once" policy it takes me forever to pull the trigger.

 

Thule Hullavator or Malone Telos.

 

Yep, your version of the panels are smaller, then mine. It will definitely clear.

 

Here’s how I haul mine. 12ft.
If I had a 13 ft I’d consider one of the extenders. But at 12 it’s not necessary.

 

Awesome, thanks for the reply , that definitely made my decision so much easier. Thanks again

 

So after all my angst about going to the CM from my regular bed Taco, I loaded my kayak and it will ride fine with the tailgate down lol. I was getting ready to pick up a hitch bed extender at Harbor Freight and said screw it. I might still need one but not for this.