Kayak Rack Options

Checking to see if anyone knows about an aftermarket product that has some sort of mount that drills into the rails of the bed but the supports and the crossbars can be removed when not in use?

Adjustable supports would be cool too but not a dealbreaker.

I am just curious if there would be a way to use a rack for a kayak, but still be able to kee the tonneau closed.

 

I know this is an old post resurrected, but hats off to all you guys who have the energy and strength to lift your kayaks back onto a rack after a day of paddling. I have a 11’ and 14’ sit on top fishing kayak that weighs 65-85 lbs. I’ve just used a bed extender that attaches to the hitch for mine.

Where I fish requires a lot of paddling and it’s difficult enough to just load it back in the bed when I’m done.

 

I use a hitch bed extender and transport up 16’ long kayaks and canoes. Here’s my set up. I loaded up as much as 4 of them in various lengths. I use a combination of straps and bungee cords. Traveled thousand miles each way a few times with no issues. I just load into the bed, which makes it nice and easy.

 

Trailers are the easiest.

 

I was surprised how few options there are to run racks and tonneau together... fewer still if you want a tri-fold rather than roll-up or retract.

I went with Elevate racks and T-Slot rails, and a BakFlip MX4 Tri-Fold.

Had some Yakimas off my old Tundra so I MacGyvered the landing pads to the the cleats that came with the Elevate system, so I have the option to run the Yakima bars down low if I want. May mount bike fork mounts to that.

I bought the Elevate rails ($200) so they could get installed at the same time as the tonneau cover, then I added the racks later.

The racks come with a high and low setting, but the low was an inch or two too short to let my tri-fold fold, and the high was way too high and kinda' goofy looking, so I drilled a new set of holes for the med height you see pictured.

I wanted them just high enough that my cover would open and my SUP's and surfboards would clear the cab. I don't have a kayak, but my touring SUP is 14' long and wifey's is 12' 6".

I'm real happy with the set-up so far.

 

Yakima HD overhaul truck bed rack system should solve your issues

 

Here is mine:
Add a rack and cover from Agri-Cover.

 

I have 2 10.5 sit on tops (they are wide barges). I just trap them in the bed.

 

Normally for just a quick morning paddle at a local lake with my daughter, I just toss them in the bed resting on the tailgate and strap them down.



For longer trips and times when I want to be able to access cargo stored under the kayaks without unloading them, I built this rack that ties into the cargo rail system. I load the kayaks on top of that and strap them down. Then I can still open the tailgate without having to unload the kayaks. In fact, I’ll be loading my truck like this on Saturday for vacation. All our other gear and food for the week will fit under the kayaks.

 

I like that 119 Discovery Sportsman. Got the same one and it’s a workhorse.