13.5' kayak on a topper shell

Found a great deal on a used kayak but it's huge and I'm wondering what the best/safest way to transport it would be. I have a Prinsu rack on the topper shell, but not on the cab. So if I centered the kayak on the rack, I'd be overhanging at the back by 4 1/4' and the overhang at the front wouldn't clear the cab, which would make the bow tie down tricky.

What's the right way to do this?

 

Cab rack also would be good

 

Would be perfect, but reading the posts about drilling the cab, pulling the headliner etc sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

 

I haul my 13' kayak in the bed with the tailgate down. I strap it down and just add the required red safety flag.

Edit: I have a CrewMax.

 

I use a THULE with the canoe attachment (it can be used with canoe or kayak). It can be removed when not in use, so I fit in the work parkade.

The Thule Portage (canoe system), works with SIT on top kayaks as well. You would probably need the dedicated Kayak rack system for a sit in.

I like the ability to put it on or take it off, in under 5 minutes. NO Drill.

 

No photos, but I pack a 13’ kayak and a 12’ 6” SUP on my canopy with regular load bars and the typical kayak cradle/SUP carrier. I center(ish) them on the canopy, and am far enough forward that they cannot hit our travel trailer at full turn.


CrewMax, and I don’t tie the nose of the kayak or SUP down. Just the main straps. They ride solid. Just hauled this setup over 3,000 miles in July. No issues.