Kayak rack question

riven1950 wrote:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27974612/p/1.cfm

We finally bought a rack system for the f150. Posted some pics at above link.

thanks for all the help!!

I see you followed my suggestion...looks nice!

wbrown62 wrote:
There is a great way to tie down the bow. Raise the hood of your vehicle and at each front corner under the hood near the seam you will notice a bolt. This is a fender bolt that can easily be removed. Take a piece of webbing strap and double it making a loop several inches in length. 3 or 4 should be plenty. Make a hole through the 2 ends of the loop (or install a grommet). Pass the fender bolt that was removed through the holes in the strap and then replace and tighten bolt. You now have a loop of webbing at each corner that you can pass a line through to tie down the bow of the yak. When not in use, the loops can be tucked under the hood out of sight, out of mind until needed again. Keeps from crawling on the ground looking for a tie down point under the front of the vehicle. If you look closer at Oak Orchards website, you will see these loops for sale, but you can easily make them much cheaper.

Although I have never used a tie-down for the bow of my kayaks, that is a great suggestion.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27974612/p/1.cfm

We finally bought a rack system for the f150. Posted some pics at above link.

thanks for all the help!!

Yes Riven, the rack over the cab of the truck can be moved forward or back as long as there are doors on each side (rear). It has large clips that fit under the door jamb and then it sorta clamps down.

The cheapest approach with the most flexibility is a contractors rack. Second best options are the racks made by Thule and Yakima that mount to the side rails of the truck and use the mount holes already provided by the truck manufacturer.

Overall the Thule racks and rack mounts are much better built than the ones from Yakima and there is little or no difference in cost. The Thule version for pickup rail mounting is the Xsporter Pro. A much less expensive version is the Bully rack:

http://www.realtruck.com/bully-truck-rack/

Check with the kayak manufacturer as many are best stored out in the sun upside down and not on the hull (as they will oil can if this is done). If you can go this route then you can take a contractors rack and along the cross braces wrap foam or outdoor carpet and tape it in place and use this to support the kayak. With a cable lock you can secure the kayak to the rack.

Try this for the back of the bed. Thule makes something, but it's a double and the front would need to go where the tool box is. Thule does make a crossbar thing that you can attach to the naked roof of the truck. Believe it fits in the door channel. So you could possibly put it in the rear door channels. There are also suction cup type cross bar holders made out there. And you can put those anywhere on the naked roof. Just have to google. Might consider a regular truck rack and changing your mounted tool box in for one that sits more inside the truck and not hang over the top of the bed.

wbrown62...Thanks for the pic and tie down info. Your setup looks like what I need except I will have to move the truck bed rack back behind the tool box, and maybe use a car top over the rear doors instead of the front like yours. Think that would work?

Can the car top carriers be moved forward and back on the roof as needed or do you have to buy one for the front or back of roof?

I use pool noodles for my yaks and also load them top side down. They just seem to fit better. As far as tie-downs, it is recommended to tie on bow and stern lines as well as the normal straps around the yaks at the x-bars. I never use a tie down on the stern, but almost always use a tiedown on the bows. The only time I do not tie down the bow is if I am traveling a short distance at a slower speed.

There is a great way to tie down the bow. Raise the hood of your vehicle and at each front corner under the hood near the seam you will notice a bolt. This is a fender bolt that can easily be removed. Take a piece of webbing strap and double it making a loop several inches in length. 3 or 4 should be plenty. Make a hole through the 2 ends of the loop (or install a grommet). Pass the fender bolt that was removed through the holes in the strap and then replace and tighten bolt. You now have a loop of webbing at each corner that you can pass a line through to tie down the bow of the yak. When not in use, the loops can be tucked under the hood out of sight, out of mind until needed again. Keeps from crawling on the ground looking for a tie down point under the front of the vehicle. If you look closer at Oak Orchards website, you will see these loops for sale, but you can easily make them much cheaper. Good luck.
The pic below shows my setup and the bow tie downs can barely be seen.

I have exactly the same vehicle as you. I bought a set of Thule racks for the roof. I carry a 17 foot canoe on the roof with no problem. This year we bought 10 foot kayaks and I also can carry both of them on the roof(not at the same time as the canoe. I have no problem with either configuration. The bars on the roof are spaced apart as much as they are on many cars which also carry them on the roof. I carry the kayaks right side up on a couple of cradle type carriers. I have cockpit covers to keep the rain out. To make loading the kayaks easier, I slide them on the roof rack carries from behind. I stand in the bed and slide them both in. Much easier than trying to get them up from the side. Strap them on and attach bow and stern ropes and you are ready to go.

I don't know how you use your truck, but trac rac has a nice rack with extension over cab available. It is not cheap but if you are using your truck for other work, then may be worth it.

http://www.tracrac.com/pick-up-trucks/tracrac-g2