Kayak in a truck?

How far may a kayak extend out from the bed of a truck in Texas?

In most states that I know of, anything extending past 4 feet needs a red flag during the day and lights at night.

Here you go. Scroll down to Sec. 547.382.

A vehicle may not carry a load that extends more than four feet beyond its rear.

Not saying that it cannot be done, just saying what the law is. YMMV whether you get pulled over or not or whether someone runs up on it while driving. Apparently a lot of people also drive without plates on their trailer too.

I think it was in another thread on here that someone said that a bed extender was counted as the back of the truck so a kayak can't go 4 feet beyond the bed extender.

Well, RBDavis3591 is quoting CMV codes, or Commercial Motor Vehicle codes, not passenger vehicles which include light trucks, trucks and others.

Rules for commercial vehicles are pretty strict. If you slam into the back of a commercial truck carrying wooden or metal poles at windshield height? It turns a fender bender into casualties.

It likely never happened, but some of you older guys might remember the story about the guy carrying a large load of heavy metal pipes in a truck, about 5" in diameter, that he hit his breaks really hard and fast to avoid a pile up, then the load of heavy pipes slammed forward through the back of the cabin . . . and made hamburger patties out of him.

Anyway, yes, you can carry a kayak that extends beyond 4 feet as long as it is properly flagged.

Practically, I don't like the idea much of hanging a kayak off too far, certainly not beyond its "balance point."

A bed extender is the way to go.

Brad

I use a trailer myself and also flag the end of the kayak. Wondering if Transportation Code Chapter 621. General Provisions Relating to Vehicle Size and Weight provides more information for both commercial and passenger vehicles.

http://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-547-382.html

I put lights on my bed extender because I'm always either leaving before dawn or arriving after dusk. Mounting the lights makes it legal 24/7.

Yep, rigging up some lights makes things safe and legal at dusk, dawn, or in the rain.

I made an adapter for my bike rack to carry my Big Rig:


Here is a closeup:


I have an 8' bed with a full bed storage box, so I am just a hair under 4' from the bumper. The adapter keeps the hull from riding on the top edge of the tailgate and spreads the load. I flag it, just to prevent unnecessary delays in my travels.


cricman

I like it

I used to drive a mega cab dodge, with the kayak hanging out the back I swear the rig was 30 feet long, I finally started carrying it on the roof, I had a camper shell so it worked great. i am glad when i traded it in they didnt look at the roof because it looked awful