Kayaking is a fantastic option to experience the great outdoors and has also become extremely popular in recent times. The biggest challenge with kayaks is how to transport a kayak in a truck to and from the water. Transporting a single kayak is difficult enough to handle, let alone two. This article will focus on the best way to transport two kayaks on the truck.
Roof racks are an excellent option to transport kayak waters, as a lot of individuals own a car or SUV that has a roof rack. However, I can assure you that kayaks are heavy and difficult to lift up overhead. Also, lifting them up on top of a car isn’t simple for everyone.
If you have an auto, the bed is big enough to have space for kayaks. But what happens if you have two kayaks? Moving two kayaks on the bed of a truck requires meticulous planning. Do not worry, we’ll aid you with all the details when you make your way to your favorite paddling location.
Can a kayak be stowed in the truck bed? Yes, kayaks will fit inside the bed of a truck if its length is approximately 8 feet, and you place it diagonally. You will require a long bed pickup truck as well as a couple of sturdy tie-down straps to secure your kayak to the bed of your truck. If your bed in the truck isn’t big enough or the kayak is too large it is possible to use the assistance of a rack or bed extender. Recommended reading a similar article Kayak Rack For Truck.
Table of Contents
What is the average size of truck beds?
If you are planning to buy an inflatable kayak and place it on the bed of your truck, it is essential to determine the size of the bed of your truck is. The precise measurements of your truck will assist you to figure out what size kayak can fit inside the bed of your truck. It is also possible to determine the best technique you could employ to lock your kayak to the bed.
Typically there are three types of truck beds: short Standard, Long, and Short bed. We will now look at the common dimensions of the three kinds of beds for trucks:
- A truck with a short bed has 5 feet of the truck bed.
- A standard-sized bed measures 6.5-foot long.
- A long-bed truck comes with an 8-foot-long truck bed.
All of the measurements we’ve listed below are just average lengths of beds for pickup trucks. If you take into consideration the length of the bed and the length of the bed, most trucks have a width between four and five feet. This measurement has been provided taking into consideration that the tailgate can be up. If the tailgate is closed it is necessary to add an additional two inches to the truck bed. You can however secure your kayak to the bed of your truck with an overhang.
What is the size average of Kayaks?
The type of kayak that you buy will determine how long the kayak will be. A kayak is generally designed so that it can easily accommodate two people. But, a boat designed for use in the ocean or on a lake is larger.
Kayaks are available in two types: touring kayaks and recreational kayaks. Find the size and average of both types of kayaks. The recreational kayaks are typically 8 to 13 feet in length. Touring Kayaks are 14-18 inches in length.
The majority of kayaks will not fit into the truck bed, except if you have a big truck bed and a smaller kayak. You can however put kayaks on diagonals on the bed to overcome the problem. In certain situations, it can add an additional foot of space. You can transport a kayak as long as 9 feet on your long-bed truck.
How to Secure Your Smaller Kayak in Your Truck Bed?
If you own a huge truck bed and a smaller kayak, you could securely secure your kayak inside a truck bed with no additional effort. Additionally, you don’t need specific securing techniques to be carried inside the truck bed for security reasons. The only thing you have to do is to attach cam buckles or tie-down straps to your kayak which are strong and secure with the anchors of the truck bed.
How to Carry the Kayak to the Truck?
If you’re carrying a kayak on your own to the truck, you can hang it from the cockpit or put it onto a trolley if it’s extremely big. Even if it’s just a small kayak transporting it all by yourself can be a bit challenging. It’s a bit of a challenge to figure out the best place to put it. The most effective method is to raise it to an angle to the side of the cockpit, where it faces you. Move it to your right and hold it inside the kayak. Then push it towards you to raise the edge of the cockpit before putting it on your shoulders. You can then carry it, with the kayak in a straight line with the floor.
If you’ve got a companion to help carry it or you’re carrying two kayaks, it’s simpler. Both of you can carry by using the grab handle on both sides of the kayak and walking in the same direction.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Steps to Transport a Kayak on a Truck Bed:
Step 1. Make sure you have prepared the bed of the truck Bed prior to loading the kayak:
Before you put your gear onto the truck, you must first prepare the bed. If there is a cover for your tonneau then you must take it off. Clean your bed and get rid of other large accessories that have been placed over the mattress. Place a mat of rubber on the floor to prevent both your kayak and the bed’s floor from being damaged or scratched. It also helps protect the bed of your truck when you return with your kayak, which has water splashing everywhere. Even if you’ve got an air-filled bed liner, we recommend you use an edging mat made of rubber.
If your kayak isn’t hanging from the bed of your truck, there is a pothole that is large enough or a bump could allow your kayak to take off. This can be very risky for other drivers who are driving. This is why you require two tie-down straps.
Then, purchase your straps constructed of a non-stretchable, non-stitchable material like nylon, which you’ll utilize to secure your kayak and other equipment. We advise you to not make use of ratchet straps since they can harm the boat.
Step 2. Lading Kayaks on the Pickup Truck:
Once you’ve arranged the truck bed of your pickup truck, now you need to load your kayak. Lower the tailgate and carry the kayak on the trolley or ask your friend to carry it for you. Take one end of the kayak and slide it into the other with the hull facing down.
If, however, you have an extender that slides or an extension hitch truck bed you can also load your kayak by letting the bed extender slide open. Be aware that your kayak will be overhanging and you must ensure you don’t violate any law regarding overhangs, or risk the safety of other motorists. It may be necessary to place red flags on the bottom of the kayak.
If you do not want to hang the kayak over your head, you can put it in the water with the tailgate open, and then incline the other end of the kayak into the air. This will definitely lower the chance of drivers crashing through your boat. But you’ll need cushioning on the tailgate, as well as ensuring it is secured to the truck bed to ensure it doesn’t slip out.
However, in the event that you have a larger truck bed or your kayak small, it may accommodate all the way.
Step 3. Carrying and Securing the Kayak on the Truck Bed:
You must now place the kayak in such a manner that it won’t move as you drive. Instead of putting it on top of your truck bed rack, it is better to rest the kayak from corner to the corner. This will greatly reduce the possibility of your kayak falling out. Furthermore, it will be much easier to secure the kayak. If you’ve put anchor points in the truck bed it will be even simpler to secure your kayak.
For strapping the kayak to the shore, you’ll require anchor points. Two nylon straps are needed one for the bow and the other that is for the rear. Pass the straps through grab handles, and then tie them to anchor points on both sides of the mattress.
It is also possible to roll the straps over on top of your kayak at both ends and tie them in place to anchors. The kayak should be secured to the rear of your truck.
Step 4. Affix a red flag to the bottom of the kayak:
(Attach an orange flag at the bottom of the kayak that hangs off the pickup truck beds to alert the other motorists.)
If you’d like to utilize the bed of your truck bed extender that can extend vertically. It basically, remains near the rear gate and has an elevated height at the highest point of the cabin. It is all you need to do is install an extender over the truck cab and place the kayak on it and the truck bed extender on. This is an excellent option for long excursions to make use of the truck bed to store other things. In this case, you’ll require more than two persons to lift and carry your kayak on the extension.
If you own a truck bed roof rack for trucks made of aluminum that can be used to transport the kayak and not pose a danger to drivers. Place the kayak upside down and then secure it onto the mattress of the rack with straps made of nylon. The increased height may make it difficult to drive within areas with no obstructions on the top.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Process to Carry the Kayak to the Truck
If you’re carrying a kayak entirely by yourself from the boat to the truck you can carry it around the cockpit or put it up on a trolly in case it’s big. Even if it’s a tiny boat, carrying it by yourself can be difficult. It’s a bit of a challenge to figure out the best place to hold it is where and how. The best method is to raise it to an angle to the side of the cockpit so that you can see the cockpit facing you. Bring it over to your right side, then hold it within the kayak and move it to your left so that you can lift one of the edges of the cockpit before putting it on your shoulders. After that, the roof rack of your car while making sure that the kayak is parallel in relation to your ground.
If you have a friend to carry the kayak with you or you have two kayaks, it’s simple. You can each carry it using the grab handle at both ends of the kayak and walk in the same way.
Tips for Loading Multiple Kayaks
If you’re loading several kayaks and the tailgate is up, keeping it in a straight position is not a good idea because keeping it in an angled position poses dangers even if it is secured securely. You should put it on the truck bed flat, with the tailgate closed. If you have a larger kayak, you can install a broad truck bed extender that is as long as the truck bed.
Another alternative is to put it up on the truck bed rack of your truck. There are 4 kayak racks for the roof rack, or a saddle or j-cradle, and two on each bar of the rack. Just place the kayak on either side and then secure it using cam straps.
Properly Tie Down a Kayak
Make sure that the kayak is properly set on the truck bed as well as in the rack. If it’s hanging from the bed, at least a portion of the kayak needs to be inside the truck bed. Secure both sides of the kayak using cam straps. It is not necessary for knots, simply run your straps over the buckles, then bring them towards the sides of the kayak. If you are carrying it on the bed, secure it to the hooks for tie-downs. When you are at the rack, you should tie the cam straps on each side of the rack where both the stand’s vertical and bar of the roof rack meet. Make sure you tie one end around the strap so that it does not come loose during driving. Shake the sides of the kayak tied down to ensure it’s strong enough to last for the entire journey.
Strap Down the Bow and Stern
The bow and the stern of your kayak will be the primary source of the drag caused by air when it is carried on a truck bed rack. This could cause it to turn and twist and also loosen the straps. This is why you must ensure that you secure both ends of the kayak too.
In the beginning, begin by tying down the secure portion of the bow like that grab handle. Use the rope or use a ratchet to attach it to a secure part of the front of the cab like a tow hook. If you don’t have a hook with two hooks, you can make use of the hood loop straps that are placed on either side of the cabin. It is recommended not to connect your hood straps to the plastic portion of the cabin. The same procedure is applied to the stern too.
The above steps are suitable for conditions in which a kayak is able to fit in your truck bed. If only a couple of inches of the kayak are resting on one of the edges of your lower tailgate, then this method will help to get it out. But, this method is not effective if you are using a large kayak and the bed of your truck isn’t sufficiently long enough to carry the kayak safely.
Let’s look at alternative ways to transport kayaks in the truck bed
Some Best Practices to Haul a Kayak on Your Truck Bed
If you own an inflatable kayak that is more than 11 feet and is more than 11 feet long, it’s not possible to attach it to your truck bed while maintaining safety precautions. If you can do it, however, it’s not recommended. But, you could use some suggestions or methods to carry large kayaks in your vehicle. Let’s look at all the possibilities when you own an extremely long kayak.
Do not tie down your kayak when you are in a hurry
Make sure you take your time and pay attention when securing your kayak onto the bed of your truck. Find the appropriate equipment and strapping equipment to ensure the kayak remains at its position. Take a measurement of the kayak’s overhang and check whether it’s within 4 feet. If you’re driving in darkness be sure to be equipped with the right lighting to clearly display that there’s an overhanging cargo in the truck bed. Finally, you should tie a red flag on the top of the kayak rack.
Make use of to cover your cockpit with a car cover
If you’re traveling at 60mph, imagine how much air drag the kayak is bound to experience and how much of it will build up inside the cockpit. As a result, your kayak could be flying out of the mattress. If you strap it tightly it could be able to bend and then deform. Overall it’s risky to not keep the cockpit closed. Therefore, we recommend using the cockpit cover to protect yourself from accidents like this.
You can drive at an acceptable rate
With your kayak aboard it isn’t possible to sprint to your location. Be sure to drive at a sensible speed and at the same time keep an eye on your kayaks to look to see if they’ve moved or slid. While driving, your kayak, it should be securely secured. In order to not hear any sound coming from the bed of your truck. If it is you hear noise, it’s time to stop the truck and examine whether the kayaks are doing.
Check the load timing to time on your journey
The risk of transporting a kayak is high due to its hollowness and lightweight. If the straps aren’t tied properly, the kayak will fall over the mattress. Therefore, ensure that you check every now and then and ensure that the straps are tight. You must be vigilant when carrying a kayak over the top or on top of the bed.
Utilize to draw the Bow and the stern lines
Even if you’re laying your kayak on the bed of your truck it is necessary to tie down the bow and the stern of your kayak. Attach the kayak’s two ends by tying ropes to the bed of the truck. Straps can stop the kayak from slapping and will keep the kayak anchored to the bed of the truck. A stern and bowline can stop it from sliding away.
Use Truck Bed Extender
If you own a long kayak that is stored in the bed of your truck, then a bed extender for your truck will solve the problem. This kind of item is specially designed to attach to your hitch for you. It can be added a couple of feet to the bed of your truck that can help offer support for multiple kayaks at each time.
Utility Racks are also an ideal alternative for carrying your large kayaks
Utility racks can help move your kayak from the truck bed to the top of the bed of your truck. The ladder or utility rack is able to support up to 800 pounds of weight. This means that you are able to move two kayaks at the same time. They are also a safe choice since they do not stay at eye level with other motorists in the roadway.
Safety Tips to Consider
You may use any method to carry kayaks in the bed of your truck. However, you must adhere to the local laws and ordinances, and the local laws and ordinances. Properly secure the kayak’s straps down using the straps. One last thing to be thinking about with your kayak is the possibility of it hanging over.
Certain states are governed by “overhang laws” for truck beds that you must follow when carrying a kayak inside your vehicle. In general, these laws stipulate that you must put up the red flags or reflectors at the bottom of your kayaks so that other drivers can see that kayaks are present inside the truck. In the absence of this, you could be at the risk of being caught and ticketed. This is why you must keep these red flags in mind regardless of the amount of overhang there.
Pros and cons of the kayak transportation on a truck
The process of loading your kayak onto the side of the car and then tying it down occasionally will be a bit difficult for you. There are some aspects you must be aware of when loading your kayak onto your truck bed. You will require a bed liner and a durable mat to safeguard your cargo and foam blocks to cushion yours.
It is also possible to use cables locks which are great to stop burglars from getting into your kayak. They can be wrapped around the handle of your kayak as well as an anchor point making it difficult for anyone to access or to steal without authorization.
Let’s now look at the advantages and disadvantages of loading your kayak onto the bed of your truck.
How to remove the Kayak
When you’re ready to empty your kayak very first step to take is to park your vehicle on a flat surface. You shouldn’t place your vehicle in sloping zones or in areas packed with massive pebbles.
It is possible to make use of a boat ramp which is a good idea initially however it could make your kayak slide away from you when unloading. If you’re in no way using the cart you can unhook the straps and then put a brake on the wheel.
Then, you must rearrange the bed of your truck and use a bed extender to the point where the kayak reaches the tipping point. Lower the back end to the surface as well as onto the wheel, and then go back to the forward of the vehicle and remove the nose and let it sit on its own.
You can then wheel your kayak into the water by using the wheel that is in the keel or on your cart. If you’ve got an overdrive, you’ll be able to connect the drive once the kayak’s hull has been placed in the water.
You may be interested in reading more articles on What Should You Do When Approaching a Low-Head Dam in a Canoe or Kayak and Can you get a DUI on a kayak.
Conclusion
Moving kayaks into the bed of a truck is one of the most convenient methods of transporting kayaks. There’s no need to fret whether you can lift your kayaks high to place them up on top of your vehicle. You’ll also be able to reverse straight up to the water’s edge once you’re ready to unload.
Although trucks with open, clear beds are the best for this type of kayak transport Truck beds that have camper shells and covers for tonneau are also a great option in transporting kayaks. The strategies we have discussed can be applied to these models of trucks, too.
In the final analysis, the single most crucial factor is to be sure of the straps on your kayak and tie-down points. If you aren’t able to move your kayak forward or backward, or side-to-side after you’ve tied it down chances are that the wind won’t be able to move it, either.
It’s not a bad option to ask a trusted friend or paddler to double-check your work prior to leaving. There’s no reason to think that you shouldn’t be able to check twice (or maybe triple!) make sure you check the strap-down work before setting off.
By following the steps that we’ve laid out above, the process of attaching a kayak to the truck bed is easy and repeatable. We hope that you find these steps helpful and as always we wish you all the best for your future kayaking adventures!
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