for those of you that own a 12'-9" kayak (specifically Bonafide PWR129), have any of you transported it around in the bed of a truck?  How does that work out for you?

 

I currently have a 10ftr, and will be upgrading to the Bonafide PWR.  The length is a little concerning.  I'd really prefer not to have a trailer.  The kayak is long enough as it is.  It would be easier to haul in a truck if possible.

 

I do have a hitch extender that I currently use for my kayak.  I'm hoping it would do just fine if I get a 12ft+ kayak.

 

anyone have experience with this?

Bonafide SS127 user here.  I use a bed extender with no issues.  I just need to be aware of where the end of the kayak is if I have to reverse. Other than that, I don't worry about the overhang.

I have a crew cab so a short bed.

thanks. same here, I have a crew cab short bed.

glad it works  well. that's what I was hoping to hear

@slowworm when hauling the SS in the truck bed, how difficult is it to unload/load the kayak into the bed of the truck due to the kayak's weight?  assuming you cart it to the water with wheels. 

I lift the bow onto the bed extender, then lift the stern and push it onto the bed. I'm 57, moderately active with an office job.  I'm not 30 and finishing concrete.

 

Yes, on the wheels.

I tote my ss127 in the back of my Titan. I think it’s like a 6’ bed maybe? I don’t use an extender. I load it stern first. At the boat ramp, I put my Titan step down, grab the stern handle and lift and drag it into my bed. Then, I pull off the ramp and go about securing it in my bed. I use straps, not ratchet straps, and go through the scupper holes to my “loops” in the bed of my truck. That’s it. Have about 4’ sticking out. Leave my flag on all the time. 

I ended up taking my Bonafide PWR for it's first test drive this past weekend.  I put it ass end in first.  I don't have a motor installed so I was able to push it all the way in.  that kayak certainly has some weight to it.  that'll take some getting used to.

 

I put a cam strap on both the left and right side, utilizing the scupper holes.  I used the bed extender and strapped it to that to help with potential bouncing as I was going down the road.  drove for an hour and a half on the freeway with zero issues.  went well.  I did remove some items off the kayak, just in case.  but I feel most of it could have stayed aboard.  

 

one thing that i did struggle with, was lifting the kayak up a tad, in order to remove the extender so that I could slide the kayak off the bed of the truck.  one hand to lift the kayak and hold it slightly up, and one hand to remove the extender.  all in one motion.  I think I ended up using my back on the underside of the kayak to help lift.  that way I had two hands to remove the extender.  that was the only real issue.

 

now, once the motor and batteries get installed, we'll see what kind of issues I run into due to overall weight.  

 

but everything went well with the 6ft bed (with tailgate down).  just a lot of weight.