Pickup truck bed rack

I am planning on transporting my PA in the back of my Pick-up. The bed is 6'6", and with the tailgate down, it is 8' supported. I am considering constructing a rack out of 2x4 lumber with 2" PVC bunks, like is demonstrated on all of the trailers in other threads, and having the wheel wells as stops so that the rack cannot move, then just sliding the PA on the pipes, and strapping it to the bed hooks.

Has anyone else done this, or does anyone have any thoughts on whether this is a good or bad idea. Appreciate the feedback.

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The enemy of "GOOD" is "BETTER"

I just have a bed extender and slide her right in the back. It doesn't stay back there for to long.

With a 6' bed here's what it looks like with/without bed extender. Travels fine wither way. For a cushier deck, rest it on your packing bubble wrap.

u can catch bed extenders at harbor freight on sale, I got mine for 36 bux.

even 69 bux isn't bad considering, but everynow and then u will catch these on sale.

http://www.harborfreight.com/truck-bed- ... 45830.html

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I have the truck bed extender for short trips. Like, you I thought of creating a PVC style bunk to for the short bed and the extender.

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2011 HPA
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X4 on the bed extender. I wrapped the T bar with a split pool noodle & colored duct tape for some cushion. My bed length is only 5-1/2 foot and I've had no issues in transport.

I use to use the bed extender on my Ford F150 super crew w/ short bed 5.5'
I find there's no need for it. I slide it in and ratchet strap each handle to the factory bed tie downs. Has never come loose, has never had an issue.

Similar question sort of. Can I transport one PA in the back of a Tahoe? Would have to leave the back open but wondered if anybody has successfully done this.

Yes you can do it. But it's not the greatest way. I did it because when I first got mine I didn't have a roof rack or a trailer and since I was only traveling two miles to the launch it worked. You will want to clean off the bottom before you load it back in at the end of the day unless you don't care about getting the inside of your vehicle a mess.

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MrGreen

Here's mine in a 2003 Dodge 4x4 short bed with a bed extender.

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I would say the 2X4s and PVC is over kill, unless you are on a cross country tour and will be in the bed for several weeks at a time. but on a day trip or weekend trip too much. Just the bed extender would do the trick.

I had a set of these on my boat trailer till they rusted out on the bottom bend http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/ ... t104366880

I took the roller section off the upper section, they unbolt, and used hose clamps to mount the roller section to the truck extender cross bar. The rollers spin when loading and unloading, makes it easy to deal with when handling the PA.

I covered over the exposed screw and loose part of the clamp with duct tape.

The rollers spin when loading and unloading, makes it easy to deal with when handling the PA.

Great idea we will have to try out. We have a small bass lake close to our own giant lake and want to make short trips out there. About a mile away.
thanks

I

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Arctic Mermaid
Life is just one big Exploration. Enjoy!

I’ve actually experimented with both the homemade PVC rack approach and the store-bought bed extender, so I can give you some perspective on the pros and cons.

Your idea of using a 2x4 frame with PVC bunks works surprisingly well for sliding a PA on and off with minimal effort. The PVC acts like rollers, and combined with the wheel wells as stops, it keeps things fairly secure. However, I’d recommend adding some sort of padding (rubber matting or carpet strips) where the hull makes contact—PVC can be slippery, but over time it may leave marks or wear on certain spots if the kayak shifts during transport.

One thing to consider: wind resistance and overhang. With your 6’6” bed and tailgate down, you’ll have decent support for most of the PA’s length, but the stern will still extend beyond the tailgate. Make sure your strapping points are solid and that you add a red flag to comply with road regulations.

The bed extender is another solid option—less fabrication time, adjustable height, and easy to remove when not in use. Many paddlers (myself included) use a hybrid approach: a basic PVC bunk inside the bed for smooth loading, paired with a bed extender for extra support. That setup minimizes stress on the hull and spreads the weight more evenly.

If you’re leaning toward the DIY route, I’d suggest making it modular so you can pull it out quickly when you need the bed for other uses. Use exterior-grade screws and water-resistant wood sealant to keep the frame from degrading over time.

Either way, a well-secured PA rides just fine in a pickup—just plan for those occasional long hauls where extra support is worth the investment.

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