What's your kayak rack setup?

[subquark]

Yep, after I turned 70. Loading/unloading a hundred lb+ kayak (every weekday) on the roof isn't going to happen too easily.

I'm 62 and loading hard-shell kayaks was too much for me and my crappy shoulders.

We went to 12'6" Sea Eagle inflatables. They're that drop-stich material like inflatable paddle boards and at 10 psi, they're incredibly rigid. I can stand my 200+ pounds on it and it doesn't flex.

Anyway, at 32 pounds apiece, they aren't too bad. With gear, they're closer to 40 pounds each.

We have a little dolly to haul them to farther spots, etc.

They perform very well for us with our small lake day trips here in New England.

they both fit in that Corolla's trunk!

but much easier in the Ranger - that's an insulated dry bag, works great

inflate with electric pump - sure miss my Cheech

the one and only Cheech - what a good boy he was =)

love ya little tough guy

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[allcos]

I'm 62 and loading hard-shell kayaks was too much for me and my crappy shoulders.

We went to 12'6" Sea Eagle inflatables. They're that drop-stich material like inflatable paddle boards and at 10 psi, they're incredibly rigid. I can stand my 200+ pounds on it and it doesn't flex.

Anyway, at 32 pounds apiece, they aren't too bad. With gear, they're closer to 40 pounds each.

We have a little dolly to haul them to farther spots, etc.

They perform very well for us with our small lake day trips here in New England.

they both fit in that Corolla's trunk!

but much easier in the Ranger - that's an insulated dry bag, works great

inflate with electric pump - sure miss my Cheech

the one and only Cheech - what a good boy he was =)

love ya little tough guy

I have a Tandem Inflatable as well, but prefer my Hobie Lynx(63+ lbs): for the lake and Hobie Outback(103+ lbs): for salt water fishing. I try not to use a cart because I kayak every weekday and want to get to and from the water in short time. Lifting these only 2-3' compared to ~6+ ft is a God send for an old fart.

 

[Zrider]

Yea, I started a thread on this last year. For myself, I just load it in the bed and strap it down, but I do also use a bed extender.

 

[my2fish]

My 20-yr old son is the fisherman of the family - so we got him a fishing kayak. I bought a Harbor Freight bed extender for when we are transporting just the kayak and that's simple enough and easy.

But then I also bought the Harbor Freight aluminum ladder racks for when I need to pull a trailer (my double Sunfish trailer for my toys... the Sunfish sailboats). Kayak worked great up on the ladder rack, plus it left the bed open to also bring my mountain bike. 500 miles round trip and I didn't have any concern with it riding up there.

Bonus pic of me sailing on Lake Michigan.

 

[gwhalin]

I put my NuCanoe Unlimited on top of my SmartCap. Bit heavy but can generally manage without too much trouble. I use this kayak mostly for duck hunting and need my bed for lots of decoys and other gear.

 

[LaBalbe]

I have the Adarac M series. It's only 12" high but they have a higher version as well. You need to drill for the side rails on top of the box but it's an awesome rack system and tonneau compatible.

Have you got pictures of that set up? I've been looking to do something that will work around my tri-fold tonneau cover for carrying skis and the roof basket that I used to use on my old SUV for the odd time that I need to have additional cargo capacity.

 

[Brianj67]

Have you got pictures of that set up? I've been looking to do something that will work around my tri-fold tonneau cover for carrying skis and the roof basket that I used to use on my old SUV for the odd time that I need to have additional cargo capacity.

I really like the set up. It would be a bonus if I could get a second set of uprights and have a high/low option.

 

[LaBalbe]

I really like the set up. It would be a bonus if I could get a second set of uprights and have a high/low option.

Are you able to slide them forward when they're not in use, or how hard is it to dismantle? From the looks of it, it's just the two bolts at the bottom of the uprights, and/or another two attaching to the crossbars. Would the crossbars fit in the bed of your truck (I also have a SCREW) if you took them off? Without the crossbars, would the tonneau cover clear the uprights?

Lots of questions, I know, but this is what first led me to this forum three years ago, and I still haven't come up with a solution that I like or which will oblige me to swap out what I already have for a more expensive version with fancy doo-dads.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Have you got pictures of that set up? I've been looking to do something that will work around my tri-fold tonneau cover for carrying skis and the roof basket that I used to use on my old SUV for the odd time that I need to have additional cargo capacity.

I use the Truxedo Elevate rack system. It’s a Tslot setup so no drilling. Can set to 3 different heights ( 18”,23” and 28”). Loosen 4 capnuts and the rear rack can slide all the way up to the front one. Got a great deal when I purchased them through @Stage3Motorsports

 

[Brianj67]

Are you able to slide them forward when they're not in use, or how hard is it to dismantle? From the looks of it, it's just the two bolts at the bottom of the uprights, and/or another two attaching to the crossbars. Would the crossbars fit in the bed of your truck (I also have a SCREW) if you took them off? Without the crossbars, would the tonneau cover clear the uprights?

Lots of questions, I know, but this is what first led me to this forum three years ago, and I still haven't come up with a solution that I like or which will oblige me to swap out what I already have for a more expensive version with fancy doo-dads.

They move wherever on the track easily. Loosen the bottom bolts and slide. They also lift off easily. The crossbars do fit in the bed. My tonneau rolls up inside and under the bars. I have them spaced for my Thule box and two bikes. Considering a clamshell rooftop tent just for fun.

I also looked at the Truxedo kit as well since that's the brand of roll up tonneau cover I have. I found it expensive and didn't like the fact it's clamped inside the bed edge. I have drilled and bolted my tonneau at the back because it would push down when closing it with just the clamps. I feared carrying sea kayaks on bars that are only clamped at the base wouldn't be good. I read good reviews on the system, just my thoughts.

 

[Brianj67]

I use the Truxedo Elevate rack system. It’s a Tslot setup so no drilling. Can set to 3 different heights ( 18”,23” and 28”). Loosen 4 capnuts and the rear rack can slide all the way up to the front one. Got a great deal when I purchased them through @Stage3Motorsports

I looked at this set up because it's the same brand as my tonneau. Do you find the clamp system is solid enough? My fear was the combination of 16' kayaks, highway speed, rack base clamps not holding on. I had another brand on my last truck but they clamped on the bed rail. Downside was you couldn't use a tonneau cover.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I looked at this set up because it's the same brand as my tonneau. Do you find the clamp system is solid enough? My fear was the combination of 16' kayaks, highway speed, rack base clamps not holding on. I had another brand on my last truck but they clamped on the bed rail. Downside was you couldn't use a tonneau cover.

Have never had to retighten them. Not a ton of miles on it but several long trips with two 12 footers on it. I think I put a couple extra clamps on each side.

 

[Brianj67]

Have never had to retighten them. Not a ton of miles on it but several long trips with two 12 footers on it. I think I put a couple extra clamps on each side.

It looks like a great system and the adjustability is a huge plus! It was about 3x the price of mine at purchase time unfortunately.

 

[LaBalbe]

I use the Truxedo Elevate rack system. It’s a Tslot setup so no drilling. Can set to 3 different heights ( 18”,23” and 28”). Loosen 4 capnuts and the rear rack can slide all the way up to the front one. Got a great deal when I purchased them through @Stage3Motorsports

I have looked at the Elevate, but it's a little pricey for my budget right now, and I can't get a straight answer on whether it would work with my tonneau cover; it's the Ford branded tri-fold one, which I think is basically a Bakflip, but again, I can't get a straight answer on that either.
I do like, though, that the Elevate system is easily modifiable, both in position and height.

 

[taildraggerpilot]

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