Truck Rack

"All these clamp-in systems mean any joker with a leatherman or pliers could walk off with my $600 rack system in about 2 minutes."
I use one of the clamp ons systems and used to worry about that but I've had it for 4 years on my  f150 and have just stopped being concerned. Having said that I don't really leave my truck I in any dicey areas. Craig's idea of the $99 special seems reasonable.
T2

What I have done in the past is drill a small hole in the inner portion of the bed and route a cable type gun lock through it. Then they have to work for it and maybe someone will notice.

That would require 4 locks on all the units I was looking at. Which I do have a pile of those just layin' around....which I just happened to....find...eh, on the sidewalk. Somewhere. I forget.

sounds like you may already have your solution, but:

I have a Ford F 250 crew cab and also needed a solution for when we tow our travel trailer.  I explored all sorts of options to get kayaks on the truck while towing.  I ended up with the standard roof clamp on Yakima bars with the "Boat Loader" arm installed in one of them.  When I bought my stuff, Yakima had a promo going for a free set of locks (to make it so people can't unclamp the rack from your roof).

I've used this rack for a Hobie Oasis Tandem, a Pro Angler 12,  and an Outback (not all at the same time :-).  Never had any issues.  While the "boat loader" arm is a pretty simple add-on, I can solo load an Outback or Oasis using it, even with the high roof.  Although if the trailer isn't hooked up, it's sometimes easier to pull the yak in the bed, then shove it on the roof from there (that's how I had to do the PA12).

"All these clamp-in systems mean any joker with a leatherman or pliers could walk off with my $600 rack system in about 2 minutes."
I use one of the clamp ons systems and used to worry about that but I've had it for 4 years on my  f150 and have just stopped being concerned. Having said that I don't really leave my truck I in any dicey areas. Craig's idea of the $99 special seems reasonable.
T2

What I have done in the past is drill a small hole in the inner portion of the bed and route a cable type gun lock through it. Then they have to work for it and maybe someone will notice.

That would require 4 locks on all the units I was looking at. Which I do have a pile of those just layin' around....which I just happened to....find...eh, on the sidewalk. Somewhere. I forget.

I got a pile of them also... They were handing them out like ensure at a retirement home.... After I rattled off the list of fire arms the guy handed me a big bag of them.

FAIL

The HFT ladder rack won't fit my truck. The flat spot for where the front bracket would bolt in is too tall for the base tube.

Back to square one. I knew this wasn't going to be a $99 fix.

I told ya bring it over with some square tube steel 

I've had this setup for years. I don't tow anything yet but the yaks only extend about 18" past my tailgate. It's a Yakima system. Truck racks, 66" crossbars (I think) and hulley rollers front and back. I've had mulch and gravel dumped between the uprights with no issues so far ...

I've had this setup for years. I don't tow anything yet but the yaks only extend about 18" past my tailgate. It's a Yakima system. Truck racks, 66" crossbars (I think) and hulley rollers front and back. I've had mulch and gravel dumped between the uprights with no issues so far ...

That setup is a beauty !

Does that system have any mechanism to lock it to the truck ?  They are pretty spendy.

Apologies in advance.  Keep this going, guys.  I have a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab - 6 feet of bed (with the tailgate down) - a Revo 13 to try to haul, and no idea how to get it done.  No trailer to dodge, but it seems the answer for me would be parallel to what works for Pinstriper.

The Harbor Freight bed extender standing upright looks promising, but I have to figure-out how to put a rack on the cab...

Funny how complicated it seems the first time you start thinking about it...

Tinker, or anyone else for that matter ... I love building shit plain and simple you provide the material and come see me in Garibaldi on a dry day that I'm not busy and we will custom build one spacific to your truck. Shoot me a message to get the ideas flowing.

Tinker, or anyone else for that matter ... I love building shit plain and simple you provide the material and come see me in Garibaldi on a dry day that I'm not busy and we will custom build one spacific to your truck. Shoot me a message to get the ideas flowing.

Yeah like there is a dry day when you won't be out fishing ?

Apologies in advance.  Keep this going, guys.  I have a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab - 6 feet of bed (with the tailgate down) - a Revo 13 to try to haul, and no idea how to get it done.  No trailer to dodge, but it seems the answer for me would be parallel to what works for Pinstriper.

The Harbor Freight bed extender standing upright looks promising, but I have to figure-out how to put a rack on the cab...

Funny how complicated it seems the first time you start thinking about it...

The intent to use the bed as my primary mode is why I made sure to get a 6.5' bed and could only get supercab instead of the 5.5' crew cab favored by soccer dads everywhere. And which also drover my max kayak length to 12'. With the tailgate down I have 8.5' of supports length.

You don't need a rack for the cab roof, just match the tail extension height to the bed.

I have an idea, and it is only slightly over your $99 solution (by about $1800). Get an inflatable Hobie. I love mine.   You can fly on planes with it, too.  Actually, I do use it when I haul my camper. It fits in the back of the mini van. 

Other than that, I think custom may be the way to go. Grab some square tubing like Mojo said, and find a friend with a welder. Cutting is easy with a sawzall and metal blades.

I see, so instead of buying an $800 rack system, I should buy a $1900 kayak ?

She will never go for it, I'm tell ya.

Yeah this might be a Mojomerica product in the making.

You don't need a rack for the cab roof, just match the tail extension height to the bed.

No, no, no!  I want it riding up high where everyone who sees it will think I'm cool...  Or: I'm not comfortable adding 7-1/2 feet straight back from the cab of the truck if I can avoid it.  Flags and lights and safety stuff to keep someone from trying to cornhole me with a Hobie?

Would be the cheapest and easiest way for me, but I have to share the road.

I hadn't thought about finding Mojo on a dry day - unless it's a warm day and he's fishing for beer.

Fishing is my third love guys ....first is family, second is building shiza from scratch... So yes I will forgo a day fishing to build a rack or mod a trailer...... I should get together with INSAYN we could start a custom metal company called "INSAYN MOJO"has a nice ring to it.