Ok, I'm sure this has probably been discussed before but with all the new people we have joining the Kayak community, it probably needs to be brought up again. I started thinking about this when I upgraded my truck and my new bed is shorter than the old one.
I'm not really worried about getting a ticket, but I can sure see someone running into the back of me or clipping me going thru a intersection, then ending up in a lawsuit from someone wanting to make a bunch of easy $$$. Even if the court found you not negligent it could still cost a fortune to defend yourself.
Just something to think about.

I think this is the current law here in Texas.

Great reminder Pelican. Also, when measuring the length of the kayak extending from your vehicle you need to from the body of the vehicle. Not the bumper. Not the end of the the tailgate in the down position. The body, as in where the tail lights are.

Actually, that law pertains to commercial vehicles/trailers.
It is a violation in Texas if your load on a standard vehicle extends more than 4 feet past the vehicle.
I've been a cop for 30 years and don't know of anybody I've ever worked with that has cited someone for having a boat, canoe, or kayak sticking out of their bed more than 4 feet. I highly recommend that you have a flag on it. Like pelican said someone might try to sue you if they accidentally strike it.

Jerry, where can I verify this is only for commercial vehicles & trailers?
All I can find indicates that it would include pickup trucks.

Pelican that is the one that pertains to all vehicles. Your right in which once your load extends past four feet and you don't have the proper marking you could be held liable for some idiot running into whatever is sticking out of your vehicle. Heaven forbid that someone gets killed from slamming into your kayak but you could face some serious charges. Just something to think about.

The charges aren't serious. The lawsuit will be.

When transporting my newly purchased Outback home from Mariner Sails it was hanging pretty far out the back of my pickup. I had a stupid Dallas driver in a low slung mustang actually merge in behind me and ride underneath my kayak for several hundred yards. A brake-check was in order but there was no way that I was going to risk damaging my new baby.

They can be if they try and file manslaughter charges on you. Let a trooper work a fatality accident like that.. I've seen a failure to secure load (ladder fell out) suspect try to get indicted for manslaughter.

The civil suit like you mentioned, whole other story.

Good points to think about. I routinely carry my Ride in the bed of my truck (with a bed extender) and have never been pulled over. But in today's society, an accident could set me up for a lawsuit. Something to think about.

Bert brings up a good point here. "bed extender" actually extends the overall length of your vehicle allowing you to legally carry a longer load.

Albert is right, in that charges could be filed a number of ways for being criminally negligent.
The real bottom line here (and thank you pelican for posting it) is always practice as much safety as possible.
It will not only protect your investment (yak/vehicle) but it may save someones life.

I roll with the bed extender and numerous red flags off the back. I have been pulled over in Euless for excessive load, while not using the extender. I wasn't cited, but warned. I think he just wanted a close look at the Hobie Pro Angler.

i currently have lights rigged up to my bed extender, and after reading this i am going to remove them i have broke them 3 times loading and unloading my 90lb yak. If im parked un-level and im loading myself it slides down and breaks the lights. after reading this seems i do not need them, just a flag. ill keep the reflectors on for visibility.

KILLER KAYAKS?


We got pulled over 2 weeks ago while pulling a trailer.
Officer ran the trailer plates which were expired
He also gave me a citation for having only one chain attached to my truck $$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$

I have a bed extender with reflector tape on it and a big red flag hanging off the tip of my canoe and have had many cops behind me and actually seen one checking it out pretty close but never got pulled over. You don't need to over do it, just have a marker at the end of your load and you'll be fine

A red stop/brake light on the tail of the boat is the way to go IMHO. Since using one, I've noticed drivers keeping well back whereas they run right up on a red flag. I use a tail gate extender so added a female 4 way plug on one end and a male on the other. Plug in to my standard 4 way on the truck. Zip tied it up to the crossbar. The light is a led with about 5' of wire with a female connect on it. Held on with a simple bungee. It is the first thing to go on when loaded and first thing to come off...haven't broken it in 2 years. Works dang well ;-)