Pick Up Trucks

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, haggard said:

I owned a 1500 size pickup with a PA12 (worked fine with bed extender) and had the same concerns as you. Don't want to leave my rods outside, wanted to lock them in the cab. My pickup was a regular cab, not even a 4 door. It worked, and just barely, for my max length 6' 9" rod. It could be stored at an angle, just barely. My M.O. was carry the rods on the PA horizontal storage while driving, but cram them into the locked cab if I was away from the truck. Worked fine.

 

The PA12 is a heavy beast. Awesome yak, very comfy for long days on the water, and the quality and features are unmatched. It's the Cadillyak. But be prepared for its weight, and you really need the pedal drive - it can be paddled but it's not great in that regard. Doesn't need to be trailered, but you'll want to launch and load very close to the water, and if not, at least have a tote system.

 

I absolutely loved mine but traded down for a Hobie Passport. I miss the large dry hatch, fully adjustable comfy seat and the 4-rod horizontal storage, but no regrets.

 

Any specific questions just ask.

 

if you have rails or a place for mighty mounts:

 

https://www.mariner-sails.com/ms-horizontal-rod-holders.html

[ATA]

On 7/12/2022 at 6:40 PM, Jeffrey Walker said:

So i’m in the market for a kayak, at first o wanted something ultra lightweight and portable but now i’m leaning towards getting a real rig, like a hobie PA 12.  

 

So my car lease is up and so i’m now thinking a pick up truck would be great to make transporting even easier 

 

however, in my current car,  small suv, i always have a few rods just in case i stumble upon a pond or something.  So having the internal storage is really handy and allows me to keep my stuff secure but always at the ready.

 

if i get a pick up truck, i’m going to lose that internal storage, as i’m not gonna have rods loose and free inside the bed of a truck. so i’m curious if anyone has a pickup and has this dilemma. 

 

i don’t see how a few 7ft bass rods are going to fit inside of even a 4 door pickup.  

I have 9' rods inside my pick up truck. Also I have add camper shell to have closed storage room at the back. my truck bed is 6.5' and I can put rods up to 7.5' at the back very easy. Ill try to find the pictures or take new pictures and send them to you.

[J Francho]

[flyfisher]

 

11 hours ago, WRB said:

What’s the difference between pulling the yak out of a pick up bed vs off a trailer. 

If you have the $$$ for a pick up vs a grand for a trailer, go for it!

Tom

Depending on the trailer you can back it in and launch it just like a boat.  the yakima trailer and others like it are advertised as a roof rack on wheels which is accurate.  I have an older model sportsrig trailer which is basically a yakima style but made here in the US and i can't launch directly into the water but it is still easy to load and unload.  

What is funny is I am looking at my next vehicle and want a truck so I don't have to use the trailer any more.  It is super convenient but I think a truck would be even easier to load and unload in my situation.

[Jeffrey Walker]

A trailer is just another thing to add to the equation. no thanks 

[padlin]

Don't know if it's the same for a loaded kayak but I have a Bass Raider that I carry in the 8' bed of my F150 4x4, fits fine. The issue I have is lifting it high enough to get it started on the tailgate, very awkward position. A trailer would solve this as they are lower, but I really don't want to deal with a trailer. For now I use a pair of 2x4 ramps when I'm alone, much better.

[Jeffrey Walker]

if anyone has any videos or pics of how you manage this, that would be helpful

 

 

[steve carpenter]

Im 75yoa and fish mainly ponds now which most have no ramps. Boat is a 14 foot fiberglass jon boat. I have a tilt trailer with electric remote controls and rollers instead of bunks. Back the trailer wheels to the edge of the water, the trailer tilts and I slide it into the water. Use the winch to reload it. Helps to have 4 wheel drive also.  Only when it is extremely muddy have I had a problem.

[Jeffrey Walker]

Thank you steve!

 

Does anyone know is a 12ft kayak can safely fit inside of a chevy tahoe?

[CountryboyinDC]

I see a van in your future.  Start growing that handlebar mustache and mullet to complete the package.

[haggard]

On 7/13/2022 at 8:39 PM, WRB said:

What’s the difference between pulling the yak out of a pick up bed vs off a trailer. 

For lightweight yaks not much. Beyond that? Weight and convenience.

 

Trailer can be backed into the water and the yak floated without hitting the ground.

 

Pulling it out of the bed, need a tote or cushion system if you don't want the heavy yak scraping pavement.

 

"Everything in life is a tradeoff." (wise HS teacher said)

 

[haggard]

On 7/13/2022 at 8:53 PM, VolFan said:

Now don’t you try to bring your pragmatic logic in here at this point…dang Volunteers…

When Vol logic fails, you can always check with a 'dore  

 

[WRB]

OP is asking about Hobbie PA 12, weighs about 128 lbs, 12’ long. 

Tahoe is about 6’ cargo depth with seats folded down. 

Try dragging 125 lb kayak ($4,500) across the ground, not going to work without damaging the hull at the end of the day fishing and lifting the kayak into a pick up truck bed.

It’s down hill launching and uphill going home.

Tom

[hunterPRO1]

i just put the butt of my rods in the floorboard of the passenger seat facing the roof on the opposite side of the truck. my longest rods are 7'6 and i have no issues.

[schplurg]

On 7/12/2022 at 6:40 PM, Jeffrey Walker said:

So i’m in the market for a kayak, at first o wanted something ultra lightweight and portable but now i’m leaning towards getting a real rig, like a hobie PA 12.  

 

So my car lease is up and so i’m now thinking a pick up truck would be great to make transporting even easier 

 

however, in my current car,  small suv, i always have a few rods just in case i stumble upon a pond or something.  So having the internal storage is really handy and allows me to keep my stuff secure but always at the ready.

 

if i get a pick up truck, i’m going to lose that internal storage, as i’m not gonna have rods loose and free inside the bed of a truck. so i’m curious if anyone has a pickup and has this dilemma. 

 

i don’t see how a few 7ft bass rods are going to fit inside of even a 4 door pickup.  

 

Minivan, hear me out. Cheaper than SUV, usually a bigger interior with a lower floor, especially with seats removed. More practical than my old Tacoma pickup (storage security). Can go in a store without worrying my gear will get stolen out of my truck bed. Put yak on top or trailer it, put rods and gear in the van. 

 

Two sliding side doors are so awesome. Took out the seats, made a rod rack for the ceiling. I built a removable bed with drawers for it (camping kit). And I never ever get pulled over.

 

I specifically chose a minivan when my truck died for camping and fishing. Best vehicle I have ever owned, you just have to be okay with driving a minivan. I couldn't care less what people think about that. I laugh at them in their station wagons....I mean SUVs.

 

 

 

[Jeffrey Walker]

3 hours ago, schplurg said:

 

Minivan, hear me out. Cheaper than SUV, usually a bigger interior with a lower floor, especially with seats removed. More practical than my old Tacoma pickup (storage security). Can go in a store without worrying my gear will get stolen out of my truck bed. Put yak on top or trailer it, put rods and gear in the van. 

 

Two sliding side doors are so awesome. Took out the seats, made a rod rack for the ceiling. I built a removable bed with drawers for it (camping kit). And I never ever get pulled over.

 

I specifically chose a minivan when my truck died for camping and fishing. Best vehicle I have ever owned, you just have to be okay with driving a minivan. I couldn't care less what people think about that. I laugh at them in their station wagons....I mean SUVs.

 

 

 

im digging this!

 

Kia has a new minivan looks pretty sweet

[Darth-Baiter]

i had the truck prior to even considering a kayak.  i went with the option i already have.  kayak in back, rods and gear inside the truck.  if i wanted a rod full time in my truck, i would use my travel rod.  as it stands, i dont stop to fish on a whim anymore.  life gets in the way and crushes spontaneous fishing.

 

A Pro-Angler will fit in a long bed tacoma.  i've done it.  with carefull strapping, you dont even need the bed extender.  with my camper shell, i do.  i am not crab crawling inside every time.

 

if i had a long bed 2 wheel drive tacoma, with the 2.7L.  not the prerunner, but the lower street truck version that gets better MPG, it would be sick.  

 

 

[VolFan]

On 7/15/2022 at 10:08 PM, haggard said:

When Vol logic fails, you can always check with a 'dore  

Only if I can get past the gated entrance, through the receptionist, and up to the penthouse then MAYBE I’ll ask your executive assistant if they can call you on the course!

[haggard]

10 hours ago, VolFan said:

Only if I can get past the gated entrance, through the receptionist, and up to the penthouse then MAYBE I’ll ask your executive assistant if they can call you on the course!

 

19 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 

"Keep coming... it's okay.. you got room" 

 

[gimruis]

On 7/17/2022 at 6:19 PM, schplurg said:

you just have to be okay with driving a minivan

 

[Tatulatard]

I have both a compact wagon thing and a full size pickup I use to move my kayak. The little wagon is the superior kayak transportation vehicle.  I can put the kayak on the roof rack and lay all my rods in the back or even mount them to a headliner rod rack.  With my truck and its 5.5 bed I have to have it sticking out past the tailgate with a flag on the end.  I also have exactly 4' past the tailgate which is to my understanding the maximum allowed protrusion meaning that I can't transport a longer kayak in my truck.  For context I transported 16' deck boards with my little wagon yet my truck can't even do that without a trailer.  

 

The best vehicle is probably a minivan or element because you can load a kayak or two on the roof, mount rods to the headliner then get up from the front seat and go lay down in the back and sleep.  The worst is a compact truck.  The bed is too short to transport a kayak without having an understanding lawful amount sticking out and the cabin is too short to fit one price rods.  My neighbor has gotten I to kayak fishing and has a Tacoma.  He has to trailer his kayak and stick his rods in some stupid tube bolted to the roof.  It screams "I bought the wrong vehicle for my hobby".  Luckily bolting tubes, stretchers and tents to Tacomas is in voge right now as "overlanding".

[Tatulatard]

I'll add that there is likely to be some minor damage car topping a kayak.  I use an extension to single person side load making it as easy as it gets.  I extend the front rack out and then bring the kayak along side the car and put the bow on the extension then pick up the back and put it on the rear rack and finally shove the bow off the extension and onto the front rack.  Still there is the risk of it falling off the extension and wallowing on the ground and smacking the car or the side of the Kayak scraping the paint when it is lifted or lowered.  My little wagon has a few dings from this happening but it's ok because its a cheap spare car winter beater and fishing vehicle that I own.  

 

My point is don't do this is you are going to lease a vehicle.  I wouldn't want to it if financing to own even.  Not your title not your car.  Buy something that you can afford with your own money.

[J Francho]

19 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

The little wagon is the superior kayak transportation vehicle.

Our other vehicle is a Matrix, and that thing swallows up cargo.  I still use my truck for the kayak, but I could easily switch over to the hatch back.

[Tatulatard]

On 7/13/2022 at 8:23 AM, Jeffrey Walker said:

Anyone transport a kayak inside an suv?

 

I've seen someone do this with a honda element.  I want to get one after seeing what people can do with them.  People put motorcycles back there.  I wanted a minivan as a new daily but was afraid of the fwd automatic transmissions dieing.  They all have this problem because the big v6s destroy those little sideways autos and none come in manual.  The element doesn't make enough power to kill its transmission and even has a manual option. Too bad they go for so much and have poor mpg.  

[roadwarrior]

I had an Ocean Kayak that I transported on top of a c CRV.

https://www.oceankayak.com/