I need a suggestion for an inexpensive Kayak rack for my Toyota Tacoma Short Bed. I made a PVC rack and used it for years but the UV got to it and it is cracking.

Define "inexpensive." I have a Malone folding rack, it was $150 for a set. There are inexpensive Chinese "J" frame racks for a lot less ($50 for two sets), though they aren't as nice.

Oh, just realized this is for a pickup truck.....that's something altogether different.

quote:

Originally posted by Cooper2011:
I need a suggestion for an inexpensive Kayak rack for my Toyota Tacoma Short Bed. I made a PVC rack and used it for years but the UV got to it and it is cracking.

If you were happy with it make another. You change oil when it's time, change the rack, it's time.

For around $250 you can get a Harbor Freight trailer that will work for 10' kayaks. That's my plan eventually. Loading and unloading kayaks high sucks. I'd rather just hitch and go.

Try Tacoma World Forum.
KB Vodoo Bed Racks.

I have a short bed Tacoma and an 11.5' fishing kayak. I had a friend of weld up a bed extender that goes into my hitch. He welded two tie downs onto the sides of it and I had it sprayed with line-x.

With the tailgate down and the extender in the hitch my kayak is rock solid in the bed of my truck. This setup also allows for multiple boats to be loaded and properly secured. I thought about putting a kayak rack on top of the cab, but quickly realized it would be a pain. My play boat and creek boat were light enough to put on the roof, but for my fishing kayak the rack was my easiest option.

I'm using Yakima Q Towers over the rear doors of my crew cab truck and Yakima Outdoorsman towers on the bed rails. I realize that this in not the low cost option, but it gives the most adaptability for our uses.

I have seen people use one of the generic tubular lumber or ladder racks with the angled saddles. I wanted more spread between my bars and the ability to carry our big boats bull side down.

If you keep your eyes on Craigslist and eBay, you can assemble a pretty good setup for relatively low cost.

quote:

Originally posted by shkuhn:
I have a short bed Tacoma and an 11.5' fishing kayak. I had a friend of weld up a bed extender that goes into my hitch.

My buddy uses a store bought one like that for his Ridgeline, for about the same size boat. Works well for him and simple to load. Though I'm sure he's worried about being read ended. But it's a heck of a lot easier than getting my 14 footer on my Xterra.

You didn't say how long your yaks are but this has worked great for me until I bought my trailer...

http://www.harborfreight.com/t...-extender-69650.html

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
You didn't say how long your yaks are but this has worked great for me until I bought my trailer...

http://www.harborfreight.com/t...-extender-69650.html

+1!

Before I bought my Cherokee and waaay too expensive (but awesome) assisted lift racks from Thule, Mrs.BurtonRW and I used an almost identical bed extender to carry our two Tarpon 120s in the bed of a Nissan Titan.

All I did to secure them was roll down the bed cover and run a cargo strap from one of the front tie downs, out through the carry handles in the back, and back to the opposite front tie down. They were rock solid. Took off the bed extender and locked it in the bed while we were on the water.

Very quick and very cheap.

-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
You didn't say how long your yaks are but this has worked great for me until I bought my trailer...

http://www.harborfreight.com/t...-extender-69650.html

+1!

Before I bought my Cherokee and waaay too expensive (but awesome) assisted lift racks from Thule, Mrs.BurtonRW and I used an almost identical bed extender to carry our two Tarpon 120s in the bed of a Nissan Titan.

All I did to secure them was roll down the bed cover and run a cargo strap from one of the front tie downs, out through the carry handles in the back, and back to the opposite front tie down. They were rock solid. Took off the bed extender and locked it in the bed while we were on the water.

Very quick and very cheap.

-Rob

My wife and I both have Tarpons 120's...Great boats!