For my part - if you’re on a budget at all, get your propulsion and safety figured out first so that you’re not skimping and miserable on those items later. You’ll use a pfd and paddle every trip. Buy those first and then figure out the rest of your budget. 
 

anchor trolley and electronics would be next though 😀

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! I drove out to a local lake (10mi.) got up to 55 mph. I didn't like it hanging off that much though. 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! I drove out to a local lake (10mi.) got up to 55 mph. I didn't like it hanging off that much though. 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

Sorry I didn't think it posted. 

10 hours ago, LokiDawg said:

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! I drove out to a local lake (10mi.) got up to 55 mph. I didn't like it hanging off that much though. 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! I drove out to a local lake (10mi.) got up to 55 mph. I didn't like it hanging off that much though. 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

Sorry I didn't think it posted. 

Drop your tailgate and hook ratchet straps to your bumper or other low point just behind your taillight.  If you use bumper, stay away from where it turns toward front.  Don’t overtighten it…just snug enough that you can’t slide the kayak sideways.  Add a strap laced through your molded handle at the front. I’m guessing you have factory tie downs on the side of your bed near the front.  Cinch this tight and you’ll be fine.  Depending on your local LE, you might need to tie a red flag to rear of kayak.  For hauling mine in the dark, I tie a large reflector on the rear.  The reflectors on the small poles that people use to mark their driveways work great.  Remove them from the pole and drill a hole through plastic frame for inserting para cord.  And the ones I purchased are red on both sides so very visible as it flops around at 60-70 mph.
With tailgate down, I haul my 11.5 in an S10 with 6’ bed or a Toyota with a 5 1/2’.  (For a little more security I did end up using a multitool and cut a 1 1/2” triangle into my bumper returns specifically for the strap’s hooks)

Cam straps.   No ratchet ones; too easy to go too tight.   And just run it in the bed.   The tailgate adds support length and you don’t have to lift it as high.  Get a red flag.  Not just because it’s legal to.  You owe it to the person following you.  A flag really sends a universal message out.  

4 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Cam straps.   No ratchet ones; too easy to go too tight.   And just run it in the bed.   The tailgate adds support length and you don’t have to lift it as high.  Get a red flag.  Not just because it’s legal to.  You owe it to the person following you.  A flag really sends a universal message out.  

Yeah, if you’re not paying attention those ratchet straps can really get away from you.

On 7/2/2025 at 6:15 AM, LokiDawg said:

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! I drove out to a local lake (10mi.) got up to 55 mph. I didn't like it hanging off that much though. 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 

Thank you for all the feedback y'all.

 Trial ride...lol I think I'll need a bed extension! 

Lol with my truck with a 5.5 foot bed I put my tailgate down with the kayak stern to the back of the bed and run a single ratchet strap across the kayak from the two rear tie downs in the bed.  The strap runs in front of the front seat posts behind the side handles.  Tightening the strap drives the kayak back and down into the bed.  I also have mine in the bed instead of on top like that.  If I want to put it on top of something I car top like this.  Even in the shortbus I can put it in the back with the tailgate down and it doesn't stick out that much.