Kayak Transportation Idea

Hey everyone, I'm looking to be able transport 2 fishing kayaks (probably under 12 feet). My wife and I go fishing and the spot is only about 5-8 miles away so we don't need it to be super construction. A low profile rack system is in the works for longer hauls, but I had an idea and wanted to run it across yall.. I was wanting to get 2 cargo bars, mount them almost to the floor of the truck bed, then add the kayaks mounts too that bar. Would that be too much weight on those bars? If i put them on the bed of the truck it won't be such a hassle getting them down. If this is way or or you have any other ideas, let me know too! Thanks!

 

I'm guessing those bars won't handle it. Are the cargo bars load bearing?

At 5-8 miles....lower the tailgate (or maybe even leave up, so the kayaks are angled out the back), strap the crap out of them and drive slow.

 

not sure about loadbearing but I could try to find some that are. Maybe I just strap the crap out of them and use the money for a lo-pro rack

 

Ther is no way those bars will hold. I have toyed with the idea of the following:

1. buy galvanized pipe from big box hardware store and cut to width of utility track system.
2. weld plate onto each end of pipe
3. Drill hole in plate to match the t-slot nut that fits into utility track
4. Bolt cross bar / plate to t nut.

I am just learning how to weld and thinking of ideas but this has been one on my mind for awhile. I think it could work and be a cheap and functional alternative

 

Another idea was to get some yakima (or whatever brand) mounts and try to bold them to the bed of the truck, but that would leave holes unless I could add rubber grommet to cover it. Sorry just thinking out loud

 

yeah I am always nervous about drilling through the bed / truck in areas that there aren’t already holes!

looks to be 63” from track to track. If there was a way to thread the ends of the pipe, you could even screw the premise flanges onto each and. Then thread a bolt through the flange into a t nut in the track. Would make a for a very easy install and removal without having to break the entire thing down each time. Unbolt and slide the whole thing out of the track and store…..

 

Do you have a DC or Crew? I have a Crew and carry two ten footers. If I am only carrying them I just strap then in the bed with tailgate down- fits well. If I am towing something or need to use the bed to carry other items too- I use this rack a made. Rack has double duty as a kayak rack for storage of them when not used to haul them.

 

Those hitch extention brackets are pretty slick and they arent too expensive. A heavy duty one may be able to handle 2 stacked. I got mine for like 60 bucks from Lowes, more than sturdy enough to handle my 2 man kayak.

 

I've been looking at those too but I need to measure the width. I didn't make the mistake of getting a double person kayak for my wife and I. especially for fishing, as soon as she hooked in to one, I 'd be in the water

 

If your kayaks are worth any amount of money....don't risk them falling out the back and damaging or worse...causing an accident to vehicles following you.

Buy a Rhino, Thule or something removable. My Thule comes on and off in under 2 minutes for my canoe. When it's not in use, it sits in my shop.

 

Bad idea. Don't weld galvanized steel.

 

Yeah the double man kayak isnt my ideal, but it was 100% free so i cant argue with that. That picture is similar to what im talking about but it looks flimsier than the square tubed one I got. I think its rated for 300lbs but I got the "junior" one. I think the beefier one is rated to like 500 lbs which should be plenty for 2 singles.

Edit: I guess that is a square one.

 

Just grind off the galvanizing compound in the weld area, weld, chip, grind, apply spray on cold galvanizing compound. I do this a few times every single month. Rust free construction.

 

actually found a guy on Amazon with a tundra and review, only $80 too

 

Nice, cant beat that price.

 

good to know; as I said I am novice welder. Learned something new today. Guess I would use regular pipe then…..

 

Ask for mechanical tubing. It's for structural applications.

 

Best option yet. Will look manly too.

 

I put my 11' in my crewmax straight in the bed, then run a strap from anchor point to anchor point around the end of the kayak. Ain't going anywhere.