Securing Yaks on Small Pickup

What is the right way to do this on a pickup without a rack?

Depends on the length of the yak and the bed. before i put my racks on my small toyota pickup i'd have about 4 feet of sticking out the back. It want ideal but strapped down I never had a problem.

6ft bed.... 13.5ft kayak...

I use an "Extend-a-Truck" for my F150.  They work well and its not cumbersome to carry around.  I've had 3 yaks in the bed tied down to it and it wasn't a big deal. Link below should help.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=extend-a-truck&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4342144529&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14818712461517650095&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_eyjnnxwd1_b

I put a Hobie PA 14' into the back of my standard Toyota 6' bed all the time. The first 8' of the boat is supported (6' bed + 2' tailgate), the last 6' hangs out. The two lines that go from the end of the boat back to the truck need to be very tight to keep it from shifting back and forth. I should mention I have a custom bumper that widens the back of the truck by about a foot and the lines tie to that to decrease the shallow angle strain.

I wouldn't trust straps for this job, unless they were the 2" wide ratchet-type truckers use. It really comes down to rigging it right, knowing your knots/lines/breaking strength and how to rig. If you have any doubt about your rigging skills then don't do it, just get the hitch extension.

What is the right way to do this on a pickup without a rack?

I've seen kayakfisher put 1 end over the cab of his Toyota and the other end is still in the bed. He just straps both ends in and I've seen him do it with 2 kayaks. It's not very aerodynamic but it can be done.

Dino Abulencia
HOW-NWest

I got a used lumber rack for my ford ranger for about $200.  It works great. Try Craigslist.  You'll find other uses as well, it's even good at hauling lumber. :-)

Bed extender like Nate described is the best option.  Aerodynamic and very secure.

If you know someone that works with metal, they skills be able to whip it up realty.   

A used lumbar rack us a decent second.

I've also had mine just in the bed of the truck, strapped up tight and on their sides.

As you can see in the picture, mine is double decked so I can transport 4 at a time, or 2 and still have room under them for camping gear.

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Or just turn it into a car.
The girlfriend has a canopy and bars on top of the canopy. Plus all your gear stays dry.

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I use the Extend-A-Truck.  Works well.  Though if I start getting more yaks for the kids and whatnot, that decking setup Lee has would be a big improvement.

Back when I had a '92 Ford Ranger, I bought a $50 roof rack from K-mart. The bars were only a couple feet apart, but you could put 2-3 kayaks on it. No worries on the highway with ratcheting straps and the front ends tied down to the front bumper. Today's trucks lack the gutters, but you can do the same with the foam pads or moving blankets if you don't care if the roof gets dented or scratched a bit. Otherwise, the bed is the best option. Secure the front to an anchor point and strap the middle to the tailgate.

Spare time, spare tube, some metal glue, voila! 

I built mine out of uni strut, look it up no welds needed and they sale it at every home depot

I built mine out of uni strut, look it up no welds needed and they sale it at every home depot

Thanks!!!

Harbor Freight is your friend.  This one can be adjusted for width. Though, I would consider possibly lowering it slightly ($92.99):
http://www.harborfreight.com/interests/truck/250-lb-truck-ladder-rack-66187.html


Or the truck bed extender.  I have one of these, but I re-did it so it goes vertical so I can put an 18 1/2 foot canoe on top my super cool mini-van ($49.99).
http://www.harborfreight.com/truck-bed-extender-69650.html