I've seen many a pickup lately with a kayak loaded in the bed and sticking out way more then four feet beyond the back of the truck. I've often wondered what the law is about objects sticking out the back so I did a little research and found an answer of sorts. Apparently anything more then 4 feet beyond the rear bumper is not legal if whatever is sticking out the back isn't flagged (red) or have a red light if transported at night. I read a post somewhere about a guy getting a ticket but the reason given was the yak stuck out more then four feet.. just FYI so when the DPS officer stops you and issues a ticket at least you know he's not out to get you!

In the 10 years I've been kayaking I've never heard of anyone being pulled over because their kayak extended beyond 4 feet of their truck bed.

not illegal. just have to have a red flag tied on the back, believe its 12"x24" for the size of the flag

Yea, I remember there was a thread about a guy on here or TKF that got a ticket for extending past the limit last year.

references please for your research and answer.

Found the info below at this site: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.547.htm

Sec. 547.382. LIGHTING EQUIPMENT ON PROJECTING LOADS.
(a) A vehicle transporting a load that extends to the rear at least four feet beyond the bed or body of the vehicle shall display on the extreme end of the load at the times specified in Section 547.302(a) ("Duty to Display Lights... at nighttime"):
__(1) two red lamps visible at a distance of at least 500 feet from the rear;
__(2) two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width and are visible at nighttime at all distances from 100 to 600 feet from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps; and
__(3) two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet from the side.

(b) At all other times, a vehicle transporting a load that extends beyond the vehicle's sides or more than four feet beyond the vehicle's rear shall display red flags that:
__(1) are at least 12 inches square;
__(2) mark the extremities of the load; and
__(3) are placed where a lamp is required by this section.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Perfect, so not illegal just have to display the correct warning devices. Thanks.

I carry my kayak in the bed all the time, use a flag all the time, never have displayed lights, but you can see my tail lights and my brake lights with my tailgate down.

*12" squared

My solution...LOL

Flacracker beat me to posting the statute...

It seems REALLY stupid to make a law about the lighting/flagging of objects extending "at least" four feet from the body of a vehicle when in fact all such loads are completely illegal like your officer said. I'm not saying I know the law better than him, but if it is in fact illegal (or more precisely, if you're supposed to have a special permit for such loads), the state needs to do a better job of making the public aware of the restrictions. There's an awful lot of people transporting yaks in the back of trucks these days.

I don't know what it is about the regulations pertaining to kayaks and their transport, but it seems like whoever is in charge of this at the state level goes out of their way to make it vague and confusing. Ever read the regs about legal lighting while in the water? TOTALLY SCREWED UP!

Like many others, I've done it with a flag for years and never been pulled over. Had highway patrol on other LEOs drive next to or behind me for long stretches and never been stopped. Where did this happen? Sounds like that county/municipality is instructing their officers to increase revenue if you ask me...

What he said!

no permit needed.

if the load is under 4 feet then nothing is required.

over 4 feet during the day time flagging is required

at night time add two reflectors/lights

Yup looks like the original poster just read it wrong. If beyond 4 feet was a problem no one would need bed extenders

State of Texas Drivers handbook.....available online from Tx DPS

My questioning started with the guy that got the ticket from the DPS officer who said anything more then four feet was illegal, but like mentioned above how the law is to be enforced is unclear even to the officer. I knew about the four foot rule and the flag requirement which didn't make sense if loads over four feet were illegal. Somethings fishy and it ain't just me