bringing the kayaks

[mlrxaide]

I've searched the forum, searched the internet and my brain is fried. We have a 2016 f150 6.5' bed with a soft tonneau cover. Trying to find options that don't cost more than the kayaks to bring them with us seems to be impossible. We've tried to find kayak racks for the truck using the stake pockets and the cover and they are expensive. We've looked at kayak racks for the camper and the options are also really expensive. We don't have a way to put the kayaks in the camper. We have a Wildwood 230bhxl so can't angle the kayak. Or at least we don't think we can.

Any suggestions that don't include drilling into the truck?

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by mlrxaide

I've searched the forum, searched the internet and my brain is fried. We have a 2016 f150 6.5' bed with a soft tonneau cover. Trying to find options that don't cost more than the kayaks to bring them with us seems to be impossible. We've tried to find kayak racks for the truck using the stake pockets and the cover and they are expensive. We've looked at kayak racks for the camper and the options are also really expensive. We don't have a way to put the kayaks in the camper. We have a Wildwood 230bhxl so can't angle the kayak. Or at least we don't think we can.

Any suggestions that don't include drilling into the truck?

How about a ladder rack that fits into the stake pockets? Or, make your own rack out of galvanized pipe. Put sections of hose on the legs where they fit down into the stake pockets to avoid damage to your truck bed.

Here is an inexpensive one from Walmart https://www.walmart.com/ip/TMS-800LB...SewAodaFsJsgom

[Kimber45]

how long are they? I bet they fit. run the slid out. put them in at an angle on the floor and run the slide in. Problem solved. I have seen people carry them on the back of their rv (if you have a receiver hitch on back)

[Was]

If you have the super crew cab, you could get roof racks for the cab. Permanent ones may be pricey, but temporary ones are cheap.

[upflying]

How about an inflatable kayak?
https://www.rei.com/c/inflatable-kayaks
Side mount truck ladder rack?
https://www.etrailer.com/Ladder-Rack...Ladder%20Racks

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by Was

If you have the super crew cab, you could get roof racks for the cab. Permanent ones may be pricey, but temporary ones are cheap.

I bought roof racks and the J-racks to hold two kayaks on the roof of my Silverado Crew Cab. Since we tow a fifth wheel, there was no way to put on a ladder rack. IIRC, I have over $500 - probably closer to $600 - tied up in roof racks.

[Pure Luck]

I use these, works great!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by upflying

How about an inflatable kayak?
https://www.rei.com/c/inflatable-kayaks
Side mount truck ladder rack?
https://www.etrailer.com/Ladder-Rack...Ladder%20Racks

The reviews on the side mount ladder racks from e-trailer are all good, but it sounds to me like you have to drill holes in the truck bed to mount them, and the OP said he didn't want to drill holes in his truck.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Look at the Yakima rack pieces. We had a F550 Crew Cab, a 5th wheel, and wanted Kayaks. We went to a kayak store, advised senior sales manager he could sell 2 of everything to go kayaking if he could find a rack to fit the roof and clear the 5th. The racks clamped to the roof inside the doors.
Yakima was the answer.
Have since sold the truck and 5th, but now have something else. Same racks, just different “towers”. In fact, when I went to buy the new towers, the guy at the rack store bought my Ford towers for his personal truck.
The initial cost may sting, but, over the years I have used these racks on a cargo trailer, a utility trailer, a Sequoia with factory roof rack, and in the storage building.