I am looking in to getting a tandem kayak. With my 5.5' bed, hauling it will be a challenge unless I drop several hundred on a rack system. I'd prefer not to do that until I know I'm going to really get in to this kayaking thing with my daughter.

Question... if I were to just load it in the box, could I use one of those hitch-mounted supports to support the 6' of boat that would be sticking out the back of the truck? Not ideal but, keep in mind that distances would be minimal (initially) for boating.

Second question -- any other options?

Thanks, guys!

 

My daughter has an Excursion. They strap my grandson's kayak to the top. Works great. You need to buy an Excursion.

 

LOL.... you're full of answers.... or something.

 

I put my 9'6 kayak in the bed tailgate down with the extender. Strap it down.

Gheenoe, which is like 13' does the same. Sticks out a bit more, but I've never had problems.

 

Thanks, Barrett. I've been eyeballing a boat I found on Craigslist and have talked with the owner. It's a nice HOBIE but, it's 14'. so, with a 5.5' bed and tailgate down, I'm looking at probably 6' or 7' hanging off the back. Not crazy but, a bit more than I'm comfortable with dangling back there....

 

Haha ^

I have seen those Extend a Bed things work great on a Ridgeline I don't see why it would not work on your truck.

 

Ugh.... did you just compare the functionality of our F-150's to a Ridgeline?

Only joking...

Those extend-a-bed things are said to hold up to 350#... this would obviously be way closer to 50, tops. I just hate the thought of investing in a rack system not knowing if this is 'really' going to work out. I'm excited about doing it now but, once I get in to it, I may have a different opinion.

Thanks for the thoughts/tips guys... keep em' coming.

-RP-

 

Why don't you just weld together your own much more cost effective

 

Sounds like the extend a hitch mounted extender may be your best/most cost effective approach then.

There's also always just throw it over the roof and extender... But that would be a hassle if you transport it on a frequent basis and may make you even more uncomfortable. I've done it with about a 16' canoe... Not as pretty- but it worked

 

Harbor Freight (I know, I know), has one for $50... I may as well just get it and be done with it. From all looks, it's EXACTLY the same one that other places have for closer to $100 (same specs exactly).

For as little as this will be used and the distances that I anticipate, I think it'll work...

Plus, I'm far from an 'adequate' welder (and don't have a welder).

 

I'd just get the harbor freight truck bed extender. It seems like the best option. I would pick up some foam pipe insulation to put around it and call it a day. Plus that hitch extender might come in handy for other things down the road.

You could always build a rack system out of PVC, I have seen a lot of people do that for pretty cheap.

 

BTW. Don't forget you should be able to use a 20% off coupon to knock the price down to $39.99.

 

For $40 bucks I wouldn't even bother making one lol go with the HF one

 

Agreed

 

Yep... that's what I ended up doing and it worked like a champ. Thanks for the tip on the 20% (I used it!)