I've been wanting a kayak for years and finally grabbed one. I generally take my boat out on the weekends but wanted something for weekday trips.

How can I safely carry my yak with my tailgate down? I don't want to use a bed extender as that's a lot of swapping around.

I saw something about making a nose loop and using two straps attached to the nose loop, then a strap or two holding it down in the bed.

Is this a safe and acceptable method? I believe more kayak will be out of the bed than in..

I have the same issue.
I ran a strap through the front handle to the tie downs on each side, and also across the kayak at the back of the bed to each tie down. My truck tie downs are low in the bed which allowed me to tighten them down.
I was a little nervous but it has worked so far with no issues.
I also make sure I have a warning flag of some kind since it sticks out so far.
Good luck!!!

I'd get the bed extender and be done with it, doesn't take that much time to mess with.

I carried 2 11.5 footers in my 5 1/2ft bed. Didnt look too bad. Didnt use a bed extender..

you don't need extender. I carry both my 12' and 14' yaks with tailgate down. Just tie a red rag on longest yak.

Get a bed extender. Someone has posted the law about how far your kayak can extend beyond the bed and you might be close. I get a lot of comments from people who see my bed extender and how they want one when they see it in action.

Here's a similar discussion we had last year. Bed extenders are easy to use.


http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...d?#Post11528983

I got rid of my bed extender as i didnt need it. Just slide it in and use a ratchet strap. I loop it around the middle of the yak and tighten down but not very tight, it doesn't need to be super tight.

I think a 12 footer is fine with your tailgate down. I carried my Hobie Revo 11 around that way it was clearly no problem. I put one tiedown through the front handle and another one through the side carry handle. If you don't have a side carry handle you can loop a strap through the handle on the back end of the yak. I strapped the yak so it was against the left side of the bed and it always stayed put.

I went ahead and picked up the bed extender from harbor freight. It's just a cotter pin to swap between the boat and kayak and I'll feel more comfortable taking it long distance.

I feel like this year my longest trip is likely to be with the kayak vs the boat anyways.

you are not required by law to use extender (unless you are driving commercial vehicle -- they have tighter requirements). I have a friend who uses it for legitimate reason -- he is using high-end kayak made of fiberglass, which (unlike plastic) doesn't like driving without extender.

Even with the extender I did two and a half hours drivinf with the kayak and two people almost hit it. Added a magnetic tow light kit from harbor freight for $15 and some zip ties for the wiring so I feel a lot better now.

The bed extender does keep the kayak from moving an inch with just two straps