TexasKayakFisherman.com

I finally had to buy a new to me truck ( 3 years old with only 14000 miles) after my last truck hit 300,000 miles and started showing a little wear. The new to me truck is a GMC Sierra Crew Cab with the really short bed about 5'-6" long. This means I will have to carry a yak on an elevated bed rack of some sort so the yak can extend over the cab. Since I am old and weak my next yak will only be 10 to 12 feet long. Fabricating a rack is not in the equation these days. Please pass on information about good types for mounting on the bed rails. A camper shell is not going to be installed on this truck. I have had camper shells on the last three trucks so I have not been following the rack developments for 20+ years. Thanks for your help.

I have a cheap one that I use only occasionally. Steel and made in China...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KB1V1 ... ref=plSrch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It works well enough. I attach it to the bed rails with these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002R7X7 ... TF1PZD2DKB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheap, and effective. The aluminum ones out there are a lot nicer, but this one is satisfactory for the rare times I use it. I have a cheap j style rack and some Malone wing-type mounts that I put on it. I modified it a bit. I chopped down the top of the uprights some and tack welded the pieces together. They have odd set screws holding it together that are... probably adequate, heheh.

I have got this rack on my truck. Worked great for kayaks before i got a trailer and also doubles as a good place to put wood and rods. I put two lengths of 2 5" PVC on top as a support for the kayak.


https://www.realtruck.com/adarac-truck- ... gQodnFsKEA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm using the same racks as DumpTruck but also using the J Hooks...........
https://www.amazon.com/TMS-Pairs-J-Bar- ... XB64G4XWZC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Though I did have to get longer mounting bolts.

I use a Thule system thats adjustable. I could haul anything from ladders to kayaks. Now that my kids are older and are getting their own kayaks, I placed them on my trailer without any modifications. They are bold on. Run anywhere from 300-500, but I have had them for 9 years and going strong.

Thank you everyone for the help. Now I know more of what to consider in my search.

Have you considered the goal post option and just load the yak in the truck bed and have it extend out?

I have a Thule rack for my truck, but I find it very difficult to get my yak on that rack. I have to say I am fit and able to lift heavy stuff, but lifting it up would require you to lift overhead and that was a challenge by myself. If you have a buddy along, not a problem.

So i only use the rack only when i have to carry two yaks. When i travel alone, I just use the extender and load the yak in my 5.5' long truck bed.

I guess it also depends on the type of yak you have. I had the Big tuna as shown and a Native 14' Manta Ray.

Hope this helps

Thank you for your help. I am talking about when I am towing my home and carrying a yak. It cannot be in the bed and extend out back.

Nomad,
I'm assuming, since you're looking for a bedrail rack, that you have a bumper-puill trailer?
I have a similar setup, an F150 Supercrew with a 5.5' bed, and a 30 foot bumper pull travel trailer. I just put my pelican 10-footer in the bed of the truck, riding on top of the tailgate. I have a folded tarp on the top of the tailgate and an old rug against the front of the bed to keep from scraping thru the paint. A ratchet strap across the handles, and hooked in the rear tie-downs, keeps everything from sliding around.
I checked the other day, and measured 6' from the corner at the front of the bed to the top of the tailgate, so I would feel comfortable hauling up to a 12' yak this way. (I have clearance to the front of my trailer) I would probably add a second strap at the front tie-downs for piece of mind if I had a 12'.
Cinching down the kayak does mash the bottom of the kayak in at the tailgate, but I haven't seen any problems or had kayak issues in a year of hauling it this way.
Something to consider before you go buying hardware.

Kirk B.

If you feel too old to lift it that high go for the lower version and use a red flag or a single tail light that you can plug in and attach to the back of the kayak or add two lights to the upright bars on he extender if you are really worried about someone rear ending you.
This way you don't have to worry about the high lift after paddling all day and you could rig up a winch in the bed if you really need the assistance.
The extender is also easier to put on and take off the truck if needed in my opinion. You have 5' of the yak in the truck and the rest hangs out to the bar. Get some durable and strong foam padding for the bar to ease any strain on kayak from bumps.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pick-Up-Truck-B ... 3641.l6368

Kirk B you understand my situation correctly. I plan on doing a couple up to my trailer today and getting an actual measurement of what length yak I can safely carry. My last truck had a longer bed and I could carry a 10 foot yak safely resting on the tailgate. In fact I carried a yak all over the west like that for 8 years. My trailer has an extremely short "leading frame" so my "yak space" is much more limited than most travel trailer tongues. Thanks for reminding me to measure before buying something.

How do these forums get hijacked so easily? Anyway, if you come up to the Austin area, give me a weeks notice and we/I can build what you want for just the cost of parts. You seem like a good dude, always posting helpful tips and encouraging others, so I would be happy to help you out.

Thank you Welderdude. I appreciate the offer.

My need has been resolved by extending my travel trailer tongue. That lets me truck bed carry a yak while towing. Thank you for all the help on this effort. See you on the water and the road.