Tacoma Bed Extender Question

[stevie951]

the civic is no more, I'm likely looking at a newer tacoma.. I got my 14 footer and 13 footer kayak, am I going to need a T-bone bed extender to safely transport or do they usually fit snug in the bed? & same with a PA, can it be safely strapped in the bed w/out an extender?

All this is preliminary but i'm just starting off the search so i figured I'd start here as My 14' civic took me from Malibu to Mako Bob's with my thule roof rack but all good things must come to an end

Still have the Thule rack so may stick with a small compact and continue with the good gas mileage, or may just say fuck it and get my little baja traveler now while I have the chance...

if you have any other suggestions on make and model it would be appreciated; simply looking for convenience along with the best gas mileage (I know tacomas aren't the best on gas but I'm willing to bite that bullet)

[Iceman]

yes definitely recommend a bed extender to support the load better and red flag it. I think your Tacoma bed choices are 5 or 6 foot

[summers in kuwait]

I have a 2013 Tacoma short bed. The bed extender is mandatory. I have put a variety of kayaks in the back: PA 14, Outback, Tarpon 120, Revolution 13. When I went into my Revolution 16, I had to get racks.
As Andy mentioned, make sure to red flag the load.

Brands are going to be one's preference, but having had an old Hilux, I think Toyota makes a very reliable truck.

I would also recommend looking at the Subaru line. Good cars, AWD and decent stock ground clearance.

[SoCalEDC]

As someone who has both rook rack and truck bed extender options, I wills ay that if you can get a rack to load the kayaks on top of the vehicle, it will be much more convenient. its a little higher of a lift to get them up there but finding parking in normal parking lots or in a garage the night before with half a kayak sticking out of your tuck is much more difficult than it is when the kayaks are on top. It is also nice go have a trunk or sealed cargo area so you can load all of your gear into the vehicle ahead of time and feel semi secure about it, vs using the truck bed. Just my .02 on the subject.

good luck what ever route you go!

[f'nsabiki]

I've been looking for a used Tacoma--you'll be shocked at how expensive they are.

[No Losses]

I have a chevy s10.
I fit a PA 14 and outback with no problems and no extender.