Truck bed extenders for Kayak and ball hitch question

[Haris122]

I ended up getting me an extended cab truck with the 6 foot bed. To my surprise, with the tailgate down, I'd have almost 8 feet of supporting surface to work with, which i think is going to be plenty for even the 12 foot kayak, once I strap it down good. Still will need a red flag or something, but that's no big deal. This one also has the rectangular tow hitch thing anyways, so if I would need the extender at some point, I wouldn't need to get anything special done to the car before I buy it, but i doubt I will really need it.

Now it's just a matter of finding enough room in the back of the cab for all my stuff. Hopefully I won't miss the crew cab option for that aspect too much. I had even found a good deal on a lone crew cab one with the longer 6 foot bed (I don't get why they're so rare compared to the 5 foot crew cab ones but whatever), but opted for the extended cab one instead, cause the monthly payment with that one would've approaching the top of my "ceiling". Maybe at some point I'll get a camper shell for it too, and then I'd be really set.

[Gavin]

Congrats on the new truck.

[Flysmallie]

On 5/16/2018 at 10:39 AM, Gavin said:

Check out the prices on hitch receivers at etrailer.com...should not cost that much...You could get a Tracrac for a bit more. Home Depot carries them but not at every store. You wont have to give up any bed space with one.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TracRac-TracOne-800-lb-Capacity-Universal-Truck-Rack-27000-01/203346592

I understand the issues of dealing with loading a boat that high by yourself. It sucks and I wouldn't want to do it every time I went. But these would be nice to have if you are taking big trips where you have a bunch of gear. Once we get the boats in the bed it's a little cumbersome to load the rest. 

 

[moguy1973]

3 hours ago, Haris122 said:

I ended up getting me an extended cab truck with the 6 foot bed. To my surprise, with the tailgate down, I'd have almost 8 feet of supporting surface to work with, which i think is going to be plenty for even the 12 foot kayak, once I strap it down good. Still will need a red flag or something, but that's no big deal. This one also has the rectangular tow hitch thing anyways, so if I would need the extender at some point, I wouldn't need to get anything special done to the car before I buy it, but i doubt I will really need it.

Now it's just a matter of finding enough room in the back of the cab for all my stuff. Hopefully I won't miss the crew cab option for that aspect too much. I had even found a good deal on a lone crew cab one with the longer 6 foot bed (I don't get why they're so rare compared to the 5 foot crew cab ones but whatever), but opted for the extended cab one instead, cause the monthly payment with that one would've approaching the top of my "ceiling". Maybe at some point I'll get a camper shell for it too, and then I'd be really set.

If you put it diagonally you'll have more than that with the tailgate down.  You don't need a red flag unless something sticks out more than 5' beyond the end of the truck.

[Gavin]

Loading alone with a Trac Rac is not that bad. I slide my Coosa over the bed rails in between the rack, hop in the bed then lift it on the bars from there. Loading from the side to up top is a two man job. Usually a tie a boat in the bed for a day trip two car shuttle type deal. Have a Thule aero blade to add to the cab on my Supercrew when I haul my 17' canoe, kayak, 2 kid kayaks, bikes and a 31' bumper tow camper for a family float. Did not want a 5th wheel since you loose the bed and boat storage up top. Have seen kayaks and canoes on top of 5th wheels before though. Gotta be a pain to load that!

[Gavin]

If you get a cap for the back they make racks got those to. I like the open bed better. Holds more stuff. Dry bags would be a good idea for any personal gear you decide to toss in the bed. I really like Sea Line, Bought 2 15yrs ago and never an issue with leaks, have replaced a few plastic buckles & snaps though.

[Al Agnew]

Guess it just depends upon how dedicated you want your truck to be for hauling your boats and gear.  Personally, I want mine to be as good at hauling that stuff as possible.  I have a GMC Canyon, kinda mid-size pickup, 6 ft. bed (can't believe anybody thinks a 5 ft. bed would be better).  When I bought it, I began the search for the perfect rack system, coupled with the perfect cap.  I wanted a cap that rolled up and got almost completely out of the way, not one of those that raise up on hinges.  I wanted racks that didn't interfere with the cap and that would hold two canoes or kayaks.  Problem is that nearly all the covers used clamps to hold the framework on the inside of the bed, and most racks also attached the same way, so you ended with the two in conflict.  Finally found a set of racks that attach in the stake pockets, and a cap that rolls up nicely.  That way I can haul the canoes on the racks and have plenty of (more or less) dry storage space for the gear.  Or, I can haul two canoes on the racks and up to two more canoes or kayaks in the bed.  Or roll the cap out of the way and carry a load of firewood that sticks up higher than the sides of the bed.

[Gavin]

Think you are taking about a bed cover, not a hard shell fiberglass cap with windows, etc. Truck Caps are not cheap, but you can make a good bare bones home on the road out of one. Add a frame under your sheet of plywood. Store stuff under. Sleep on top. My Ambitios Union Trade friends were doing that for a couple years when the construction biz sucked.

[Haris122]

Thanks guys. I like the open bed too, I just feel like it'd be nice to have the camper shell just so I can put stuff in the bed, and not worry about it getting wet, or someone just grabbing stuff out of it. My dad has one of those folding bed covers, I think that would be my 2nd choice. Not as much stuff you could put in, but it's cheaper too.

So then I guess as far as the red flag goes when you load the kayak, it doesn't have to be 5 feet from where the tailgate is when it's up, just 5 feet from wherever the tailgate ends if down, before you need the red flag?

[snagged in outlet 3]

I have the hinged fiberglass top on Ram 1500 Crew Cab.  My 8' Pond Prowler fits under it when it's closed tailgate down and locked.  I put it in there the night before a trip and back it up to my house so you can't get it out.  Then I just add a few things in the morning and take off.  The hinged top limits loads but it is great for keeping things safe and dry.  Nothing will keep a determined thief from getting your stuff though.