Xfactor -- Bed Extender Deformity -- Stand Up Assist Strap

[Dannowar]

get some mako saddles so it cradles the V

[5-20]

Cool, thanks. Appreciate the suggestions. I'll look into all of that -- and the mako saddle looks good.

Bring on the thoughts about mounting a stand up assist strap.

[jruiz]

I developed a crack from loading that way. Have sinced moved to having it upside down.

[Dannowar]

In my opinion, if you need help standing up, your balance isn't gonna let you stand long. I'm a very agile person with great balance and I've almost lost it while taking a leak on the malibus

[alanw]

Is the extender so high that it keeps the main portion of the yak off the bed of the truck? Are you strapping it down real tight? You can try strapping it from the back of the kayak to the extender instead of over the top of the yak. I think the best way is probably the saddle setup as mentioned. I haul my kayak without a bed extender with no problems, and I usually have some gear in it so I'd rather not transport it upside down.

For an assist strap I would attach it to the front handle attachment points.. they should be plenty strong enough.

[5-20]

Originally Posted by alanw

Is the extender so high that it keeps the main portion of the yak off the bed of the truck? Are you strapping it down real tight? You can try strapping it from the back of the kayak to the extender instead of over the top of the yak. I think the best way is probably the saddle setup as mentioned. I haul my kayak without a bed extender with no problems, and I usually have some gear in it so I'd rather not transport it upside down.

For an assist strap I would attach it to the front handle attachment points.. they should be plenty strong enough.

The extender's as level with the bed as it can be -- in the lowest setting. I'll fool around with all of that a little more.

Thanks for the suggestion about the strap -- I briefly thought about doing that, but I also wondered if having the anchor point so far up front would let the front of the yak pivot or shift when I put my weight on it and that maybe it wouldn't be a very stable feeling. But that is a good suggestion and I can always loop a rope around the handle and give it a shot and see how that goes!

Thinking about hitting lajolla tmw am........


:wsb :

[tomahawk]

Upside down is the easiest solution. Malibu says not to store it on the bottom and I would think that translates to hauling unless you use saddles. I have 2 other suggestions. One use 2 pieces of 2" pvc about 6 feet long, that rest on the extender and in the bed. Nestle them in the grooves in the hull nearest the center. those are reasonably flat and the pvc will create a nice uniform support and distribute the load. This is much better than the point load you are currently applying to the hull. Second stand the kayak on edge with one bulkhead on the extender. Place a 2x4 across the floor of the bed directly under the other bulkhead. Secure the kayak in the vertical position. You might need to add a post similar to the yakima hull stacker. However you do it don't over tighten the hold down straps. The straps holding hull down just need to be snug. Of course you need straps from the back of the bed to the center/middle of kayak.

[PescadorPete]

I use rollers:

[5-20]

Originally Posted by Dannowar

In my opinion, if you need help standing up, your balance isn't gonna let you stand long. I'm a very agile person with great balance and I've almost lost it while taking a leak on the malibus

Haha, well, if I fall overboard, I'll climb in and do it all over again. How does that saying go... a little water's never hurt anyone...

It's just a little awkward trying to stand up from such a low position with your body essentially splayed out and your butt on the yak. It's not the way most people normally get up from the ground or a similar position. I'd just like to make doing that a little easier.