Hey guys, I recently acquired a new kayak about a month or so ago, and I upgraded from a 10 foot kayak to a 12.5 kayak. For some reason, my 10 foot kayak fit perfect and never had any issues hauling it, the 12.5 has been a little difficult. I haul my kayaks with my truck which is a double cab silverado with a 6.6 bed, but I have a toolbox that takes up some space.  Because of the added space from the kayak, I'm not comfortable with how much it hangs off when I close my tailgate and have been looking at options to better haul it. I've been looking at bed extenders, particularly the ones that go in the hitch and give some extra room.  Anyone have any experience with those? Did it make any more difficult of pulling out of spaces, watching corners, etc?

I used a bed-extender with my 14' canoe the first year - extended cab Silverado, 6'6" bed. Yes, you have to be a little more careful on turns and backing up - but some good wide-view spots on your side-mirrors, or mirrors that extend out a bit from the sides of the truck are a good thing.

 

I've since gone to a trailer for the canoe - much easier for me to launch and land.

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I used a bed-extender with my 14' canoe the first year - extended cab Silverado, 6'6" bed. Yes, you have to be a little more careful on turns and backing up - but some good wide-view spots on your side-mirrors, or mirrors that extend out a bit from the sides of the truck are a good thing.

 

I've since gone to a trailer for the canoe - much easier for me to launch and land.

If I go that route, I'll probably pick up some tow mirrors or something on those lines. I'm not sure if it would be safe to say, but I feel like It would be hauling a mini trailer with it sticking out like that with the bed extender. I eventually probably will get a trailer, but they are pretty pricy. 

Just now, JoshFromBolo said:

I eventually probably will get a trailer, but they are pretty pricy. 

I just got a Ironton PWC trailer from Northern Tool and modified it - total cost was around $600

I don't have one, but when I was looking at the hitch extenders the only issues I saw people complaining about is going from a flat surface to an incline.  As your front wheels go up the incline they hit the ground before your back wheels start going up.  There were a couple that curved up or could be adjusted up to help with this though.

 

What about a removeable side mounted ladder rack?  Although your tool box may be in the way to put the front rack upright. Apex 250 lbs. Adjustable No-Drill Steel Ladder Rack-NDSLR - The Home Depot

I haul my SS127 in an extended cab Silverado.  I use, and have always used, a bed extender.  I also wouldn't want my 1/3 of my kayak hanging off the back of my truck. 

I use a trailer. I bought an old jet ski trailer and am still modifying it. Total cost so far, including new axle, wheels, tires, lights, paint, etc is about 550.

I use the Boondox bed extender.  My 12 foot kayak is just at the point where it may tip out.  Short trips, no. Longer trips, yea. I use it.  

Personally, I'd go with a rack system over a trailer. If I'm going to deal with a trailer, I may as well drag a boat around instead of a kayak.

Leaning towards a bed extender, I like the roof rack a little better, but just imagining how I'm gonna get it on top and then get it down, is gonna be a little rough. 

I don't worry much about the kayak hanging over, so long as it's halfway or so supported.  They're really not that heavy.  If you were looking for one that doesn't drag, the Boonedox one doesn't,  but it's pricey. 

Here's my 16'er on bed extender.  

I took magnetic tow lights ($12 at Harbor Freight) and eventually made them permanent on the bed extender.  

With the addition of a bicycle taillight on the kayak stern, this is legal for night driving.  

 

 

I keep my boat on saw horses in the garage, and it's really easy to back up and slide it on and off.  Also makes it easy to work on rigging.  

I haul around a pa14 with a Sierra and bed extender. I've been using the Erickson big bend extender and it works quite well. I've not had any issues securing it and use three straps in total. Longest drive over 2 hours on express way.

4 hours ago, JoshFromBolo said:

Leaning towards a bed extender, I like the roof rack a little better, but just imagining how I'm gonna get it on top and then get it down, is gonna be a little rough. 

I ran into a guy once who had a small block and fall rigged up to the front of his rack, he used it to haul his yak up into the bed far enough to get the tailgate closed.  He had a padded bar added to the tack to rest the bow on and strapped it down to the points in his bed.  It was a real slick looking set up.  

11 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I ran into a guy once who had a small block and fall rigged up to the front of his rack, he used it to haul his yak up into the bed far enough to get the tailgate closed.  He had a padded bar added to the tack to rest the bow on and strapped it down to the points in his bed.  It was a real slick looking set up.  

I'm sure I could find a effective way to do it, but I don't think its worth the hassle for me, plus I'm clumsy so I know sooner than later I would end up dropping the yak on me or denting the yak and truck taking it off lol.

I've been hauling my kayak using a cheap bed extender from Amazon for years now.  Works great and makes it pretty easy to load.

I also use a bed extender. Added lights to it for safety.

Thanks guys! Gonna go with the bed extender, a lot of options, so just gonna buy one based on reviews and such. Also probably gonna buy some tow mirrors to help with seeing better back there (just a excuse to get them as I like how they look ?)

11 hours ago, kjfishman said:

I also use a bed extender. Added lights to it for safety.

 

 

I have the same bed extender, but I only use it in the upright position along with a removeable crossbar on the cab of the truck to hold my 16' canoe.