Loading PA14 in shortbed truck

[Pagzzz]

Looking at getting into Kayak fishing for the first time, and have never owned a big kayak. How does everyone deal with a 14' kayak and a 5' short bed truck? I have a 2013 F150 supercrew with the short bed. I also have a collapseable Thule Rack that I used for carrying my 40lb outrigger canoe ... but I am guessing it is impractical to carry a 100lb+ kayak up on those racks without wrecking my back getting it down/up.

Curious to see what the best solution is for transport

[FoodGeekFish]

Originally Posted by Pagzzz

Looking at getting into Kayak fishing for the first time, and have never owned a big kayak. How does everyone deal with a 14' kayak and a 5' short bed truck? I have a 2013 F150 supercrew with the short bed. I also have a collapseable Thule Rack that I used for carrying my 40lb outrigger canoe ... but I am guessing it is impractical to carry a 100lb+ kayak up on those racks without wrecking my back getting it down/up.

Curious to see what the best solution is for transport

Hitch extenders (Boonedox, Yakima, Rhino Rack) are a common solution if rack loading doesn't make sense.

[Saba Slayer]

The extender works great on my Tacoma with a 6' bed...
I have a few friends and customers that have bought the 12' PA so that they don't have to use an extender...

[Pagzzz]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

The extender works great on my Tacoma with a 6' bed...
I have a few friends and customers that have bought the 12' PA so that they don't have to use an extender...

I definitely need the PA14 since I am a BIG guy, but the extender looks like the trick. Just have to watch those tight turns I guess since it will swing wide, but I have towed 40' canoes, so probably OK.

[LEEZO]

the boondox groovy T-bone is game changer for my PA14. I disconnect it from the hitch and pop it inside my Tahoe when i head out to the water. if there is a way to cable lock or pad lock it to the hitch or truck bed i would recommend that to deter the methmaticians.

[JohnMckroidJr]

3x for the T-bar. Mine is a cheap one off eBay fortified with a towel tie-strapped onto the base to cushion the kayak and PVC with reflective tape added to the goalposts for increased visibility.

[tak100]

I put PVC pipe over the bar the kayak rests on and I have been very happy with the results.

Much better the pool noodles that just couldn't handle the weight.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by tak100

I put PVC pipe over the bar the kayak rests on and I have been very happy with the results.

Much better the pool noodles that just couldn't handle the weight.

I started out with the pool noodles, but like you mentioned they don't handle the weight and created more friction. The folded-up towel is just now starting to break down, but it has been there for several years and provides a soft cushion to push the kayak along.