Transporting 2 kayaks in truck bed: Tips and Tricks

Transporting 2 kayaks in a truck bed can be difficult, but it is possible. The first step involves finding a suitable kayak carrier for your vehicle. There are many types of pages that work for different vehicles and budgets. For example, if you have a pickup truck, you may consider getting a rack system so one of the kayaks will fit on top of the other while strapped down securely with ratchet straps.

We’ve all been in a situation where we’ve run out of room to store our kayaking and fishing equipment. With a conventional cargo van, you can transport heavy items without overload, but it isn’t easy to carry them due to the weight. If the load is small enough, you could purchase a container van and use it as a camioneta, but this isn’t always practical. On the other hand, trucks provide a solution to this problem while also carrying heavy loads.

How to Transport Kayaks in Truck Bed Complete Guide with Steps:

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to transport two kayaks in a truck bed:

1. First, ensure your truck is equipped with tie-down points in the bed. If not, you will need to install some.
2. Measure the length of your kayaks and the width of your truck bed to ensure that both kayaks will fit securely.
3. Place the side of the kayak by the side in the truck bed, with the hulls facing down.
4. Secure the kayaks to the tie-down points using ratchet straps or ropes. Start by attaching one end of the straps or ropes to the tie-down points on one side of the truck bed, then run the straps or ropes over the top of the kayaks and attach them to the tie-down points on the other side of the bed. Ensure the straps or ropes are tightened securely, but be careful not to overtighten, as this could damage the kayaks.
5. To help protect the kayaks during transport, you can place a tarp or blankets over them. Ensure the tarp or blankets are secured to the truck bed so they don’t blow off during travel.
6. Finally, ensure the kayaks are secured and balanced in the truck bed before hitting the road. You don’t want them to shift or move around during transport, which could be dangerous.

That’s it! With these steps, you should be able to safely and securely transport your two kayaks in your truck’s bed.

STEP 1: Prepare the truck bed for loading.

To make transport easier, most trucks come equipped with various hefty attachments. However, you don’t need any of them to move the kayaks. As a result, our first step would be removing all the needless extras from the Truck’s bed.

We would then remove the tonneau cover and replace it with a rubber mat. The rubber mat protects your bed and the kayaks from harm and keeps them clean. It will also protect your mattress from all of the water that will drip off of the Kayak on your journey home.

Get non-stretchable straps, ideally constructed of nylon, to tie the kayaks to the Truck. Stretchable straps lack the firm hold of non-stretchable straps. Furthermore, ratchet straps can harm the Kayak if used too tightly, so we do not recommend them.

STEP 2: PUTTING 1ST KAYAK IN THE TRUCK

It is time to load the Kayak on the bed once you have completed all the preparations. To do so:

1. Lower the tailgate.
2. Bring your Kayak near or ask a friend to assist with a trolley in bringing it closer to the Truck.
3. Keep its bottom side when lifting it from the front and pulling it onto the bed.

Load it by keeping the extender open if you have a sliding bed extender. However, this method entails overhanging the Kayak. Therefore additional security is required. Furthermore, to ensure that you aren’t hazardous to other motorists, you should hang red flags at the end of the Kayak.

You may carry it with a tailgate if you don’t want to hang over the Kayak. Support the back of the cabin by angling one end of the Kayak up in the air. It lowers the chance of other motorists hitting your Kayak. Furthermore, it creates a lot of room for another kayak. However,

You would need to use the same technique for bigger kayaks.

STEP 3: PUTTING 2ND KAYAK IN THE TRUCK

Depending on the method you used to load the first Kayak, you must use one of two methods to load the second. For example, if you positioned the first Kayak on its bottom without angling up one side, you’ll have to put the second Kayak on its one side with the Truck’s one wall resting on it.

However, if you lower the first Kayak on its side and angle it up, you’ll have plenty of room to store the second Kayak. Then, position the boat in the middle of the bed and close the tailgate. This method is applicable when both kayaks are less than ten feet long.

You must utilize a different approach if the kayaks have lengths greater than 10 feet. The second Kayak is placed over the first because you cannot simply put it right over it to avoid damage and scratches on both kayaks.

As a result, you’ll need to acquire two wooden logs approximately the same size. The dimensions of these logs must be three inches larger than the broadest width of both kayaks. In addition, each record should be covered with a slip-resistant material, such as cloth or rubber.

Put the two logs over the top of the first Kayak, each on one end. There would be no friction between the second and first kayaks if you placed them on top of each other now. As a result, neither Kayak will be damaged or scratched due to this mistake.

STEP 4: ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BOTH KAYAKS

It would help if you secured them firmly to guarantee that the kayaks do not move away. This is where a lot of people make mistakes. Many individuals use five or six straps to tie the kayaks, which is not the best method. When you employ numerous belts, their strengths are dispersed unevenly. Some straps would have to offer excellent stability than others, causing them to break.

As a result, rather than employing numerous straps, utilize only lengthy and robust one. In this way, the kayak’s resistance levels would be equalized. Nylon straps are preferable because of their high tensile strength and resistance to scratches.

Tying the front or back anchoring point on the side of the Truck with one end of this strap is an excellent way to secure both kayaks. Next, pass that rope over both kayaks and then under them, as shown. To accomplish this, you’ll need help from your buddy to raise both kayaks. Repeat this procedure until you’re satisfied with how firmly the two kayaks are tied together.

Tie the rear-anchoring point to the other end of the straps if you start in the front. Tie it with the front anchoring point if you begin at the back. However, ensure that the strap’s first end is connected to the other side of the Truck than where the second end is tied.

Conclusion: Transporting 2 kayaks in truck bed

In conclusion, transporting two kayaks in a truck bed can be done safely and securely by following a few simple steps. First, ensure that your truck is equipped with tie-down points in the bed, and measure the length and width of the kayaks and truck bed to ensure a proper fit.
Next, place the side of the kayak by the side in the truck bed, with the hulls facing down, and secure them to the tie-down points using ratchet straps or ropes. To protect the kayaks during transport, you can place a tarp or blankets over them and ensure they are secured to the truck bed.
Finally, before hitting the road, ensure that the kayaks are balanced and secured in the truck bed to prevent them from shifting or moving during transport. Following these steps, you can transport your two kayaks with confidence and peace of mind.