Hobie Outback in a Pickup Bed

Recently bought a F150 with a 5.5 ft bed and looking options for hauling my Outback. I have a trailer that holds two kayaks and gear, but want to also haul the yak without the trailer.  It seems there are a couple options. Bed extender in the hitch or the Thule towers on the bed rails.

What do folks use in pickups?

The Boonedox bed extender has been awesome for hauling kayaks without the trailer. Would definitely recommend it if you can swing it price wise. Thule towers weren't really any option since I have a tonneau cover.

Bed extender with shark saddles on the crossbar and another set on a 2x6 in the bed.

Congrats on the pick up! I just recently bought a Outback and I use the Boone Dox Bed Extender.

Bed extender (Slayer Propel 13) in my Chevy Colorado with same size bed...

How much are the bed extenders? Some square tube steel and your set, I got a welder!    Why go mild when you can go wild! Lumber racks are a good option and you wouldn’t need a cradle if your bars are set apart at the proper distance, kayaks ride better on the gunwale... just saying!

I use these: https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-rack/truck-and-van-racks/thule-tracrac-tracone-_-27000xt to haul a Trident 13 on a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab but I'm getting a bit tired of getting the darned thing up on them.

I've thought about a hitch-mounted bed extender but can't get past how the kayak is right there, at hood level of the vehicle behind me.  Surprises me how many folks can touch my safety flag when we're at a stop light with the kayak on ladder racks.

I once used the fold out bed extender to haul my Revo 13 - wasn't my smartest idea, but it worked.  You might be able to do a better job of it with the shorter Outback then I was doing it with the Revo, and that would be my preferred way to haul any kayak that fits.

I love my truck bed extender.  Best $50 bucks i have spent.  I can carry a hobie and a revo in the back. If i am fishing alone i set up the kayak the night before and i am ready to fish as soon as i pull up.  I just slide out the kayak.  Super easy to load and unload.

This one is similar

https://www.harborfreight.com/truck-bed-extender-69650.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+All+Products+-+Higher+Sales+Items|New+Products+-+%284%29+Price+%2450-70|69650&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=sDyfGut0V|pcrid|278918121558|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|slid||product|69650|&pgrid=54194078542&ptaid=pla-296487505349&pcid=1458484684&intent=Higher+Sale&gclid=Cj0KCQjww7HsBRDkARIsAARsIT7KfmWk6AUPm50tW4uV2mIxGUqwvpWHuPkyJFBtgsafnJGJuoyrVvQaAqULEALw_wcB

Try upgrading to the 6.5 foot bed. With the tailgate down that gives you 8.5 feet. Angle the boat and you are only maybe 3' unsupported, no problemo.

Try upgrading to the 6.5 foot bed. With the tailgate down that gives you 8.5 feet. Angle the boat and you are only maybe 3' unsupported, no problemo.

IS your advice to buy a new truck? 

Try upgrading to the 6.5 foot bed. With the tailgate down that gives you 8.5 feet. Angle the boat and you are only maybe 3' unsupported, no problemo.

IS your advice to buy a new truck? 

I figured if you had something authoritative in print, it might make the case easier with The Finance Committee.

In all truth, a longer bed for the kayak is the primary reason I went with a Super Cab instead of a Crew Cab.

My 12.5 Pelican 130 fits well enough in the bed of my 04 Toyota Tundra's 6 foot bed that I have decided I need no other method to haul it. With the tailgate down I have about 5.5 feet hanging out. 2-3 ratchet straps and it doesn't move. For further security I close and lock the canopy rear window. Even with no straps the window blocks the seat which keeps the kayak in the bed.

Recently bought a F150 with a 5.5 ft bed and looking options for hauling my Outback. I have a trailer that holds two kayaks and gear, but want to also haul the yak without the trailer.  It seems there are a couple options. Bed extender in the hitch or the Thule towers on the bed rails.

What do folks use in pickups?

Go with a bed extender. I have owned a BooneDox T-Bone for 8 years.  I have a Nissan Frontier with a short bed.  I've hauled two Outbacks and a PA together.  The T-Bone is a Great product, Made in USA and made from aircraft grade aluminum.  It's super light weight.  You can go lower cost bed extender from Harbor Freight but they are at a 90 degree angle and easy to back into something at that angle.  Outdoor Emporium in Seattle sells them or online through ACK.com

My 12.5 Pelican 130 fits well enough in the bed of my 04 Toyota Tundra's 6 foot bed that I have decided I need no other method to haul it. With the tailgate down I have about 5.5 feet hanging out. 2-3 ratchet straps and it doesn't move. For further security I close and lock the canopy rear window. Even with no straps the window blocks the seat which keeps the kayak in the bed.

Careful on a hot day with that much hanging off. My ocean kayak got some damage/warp that way. The weight of the end pushed down on the bottom of the boat

Go with a bed extender. I have owned a BooneDox T-Bone for 8 years.  I have a Nissan Frontier with a short bed.  I've hauled two Outbacks and a PA together.  The T-Bone is a Great product, Made in USA and made from aircraft grade aluminum.  It's super light weight.  You can go lower cost bed extender from Harbor Freight but they are at a 90 degree angle and easy to back into something at that angle.  Outdoor Emporium in Seattle sells them or online through ACK.com

This is just me thinking too much (again) but I'm wondering how the curved T-Bone bed extender makes it harder to back into something when it's deployed compared to the possibility of doing it with any other style of bed extender.