Hello all, new to the kayak world here. I hope this is in the right place but i have a quick questions for you guys, what do you feel is the best/correct way to secure a kayak into the bed of a truck? I have a 6 foot bed and 10 foot kayak, so now i have to figure out how to get a square peg into a round hole. Original thought was to put the point of the kayak in the back of the bed (tailgate), and put the other point on the roof, and with the kayak face down strap it into the bed. Now this raises many concerns, mostly that i'm worried about the ratchet straps damaging the kayak, as i hear people say it is a threat. My other thought was maybe to do two of those ratcheting cargo bars that go into the bed and use those as a roof rack type setup and get the J style mounts to secure the kayaks. (Keep in mind i'm probably going to end up transporting 2 or 3 kayaks after everybody gets one). Aside from that, theres like the bed extender deals that go into the trailer hitch, but i haven't added a hitch to the truck yet. I also don't have anywhere to store a trailer right now, or else i would have bought a boat instead.

Any ideas, tips, pics of what the best way to go about this is? How are you guys hauling yours? Thanks guys. Looking forward to getting into this whole kayak fun, been looking at it for about a year now. Hopefully i can bump into some of you guys at the lake.

I also have a 10ft kayak that I put in the bed of my truck when heading out. I leave the tailgate down and put it in at an angle and none of the kayak passes the tailgate. I have a 6 foot bed as well. I use a tie down strap on the front and one on rear. This keeps it from sliding backward or tipping. I use enough pressure to keep it from sliding but I do not use the ratchet straps either. This has worked well for me as I've driven on 30+ MPH winds with it in the back and it barely moved.

Now for multiple kayaks, others might be better suited to answer that.

simple and cheap

I bought this rack set up from tractor supply for $30. My truck is fairly new so I did not want to drill holes
into the bed rails. If you don't mind drilling into your bed this is a cheap way to go. I fixed mine to where
I wouldn't have to drill into the bed. Cost me about $15 more bucks to modify.




http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/travellerreg%3B-truck-rack-500-lb-capacity

A bed extender and hitch aren't too pricey.



If you're going with multiple kayaks and are short on storage space, a trailer with a retractable tongue may be more suitable.

http://www.harborfreight.com/truck-bed-extender-69650.html

this works great for me. I have 2 kayaks on it no problem, and could probably swing a third if necessary.
However, with a 6 ft bed, Im not sure a 10ft kayak would reach the bed extender. My wife's tarpon 100 BARELY reaches the extender, and I only have a 5 foot bed. I guess you just wouldn't slide it all of the way back against the cab.

I would just load flat in the bed with a little sticking out of the tailgate and go. I don't think you need an extender for a 10' kayak unless you have a toolbox or something. When I was putting my PA in my bed (with an extender since it's 14') I would tie two from lines from the nose to each side of the truck and strap down the back.

When I carry my Ride 115 in a truck (no extender), I like to make a big loop (with rope) that will slip over the end of the kayak (snugs as you pull it toward the wider part of the yak) and then run a rope from each side to the tie point in the bed on each side to keep it from moving side to side.

I just throw my Ride 135 in the bed of my truck and roll with the tailgate down with a red flag tied to the end of the yak. I use the non ratchet type of straps and just pull it snug. The yak isn't going to go anywhere. I have a 6' bed also.

I used to carry my cuda 14 in the back of my truck w/o a bed extender and never had any problems. probably not ideal, but it will get you by. for a 10' yak, probably will be just fine. Any longer, get a bed extender.

This topic in the rigging section has several options.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/9806381/Hauling_Kayaks_(TRUCKS)#Post9806381

I use the one in the link below. I have a '98 Tacoma and A 12' yak. I run some straps or bungees through the handle of the kayak at the from of the bed and secure them to some brackets I have on the bed frame for a little added security and it also helps limit the nose of the kayak from swinging. I use a uni-to-uni knot to tie the rope and attach ratchets to the rope on each side. It's worked well for me, and I'm always a little nervous hauling it around but I've never had any problems.

http://2flyfish4.blogspot.com/2013/04/kayak-tie-down-tip.html

You can build a rack pretty cheaply; if you have a welding machine and a chop saw it's quick and easy. I've also seen them made with wood. I've seen the bed extenders on sale at Harbor Freight and Northern Tool for as low as $40; I doubt you could buy the materials to build your own that cheap.