Want to bed load a 17t How much bed do I need?

Hey all, about to be in the market for a 17t. Or 14 if I can't solves this one problem: I can't have a trailer. I don't have the space for it without leaving it in my beautifully expensive backyard. I have a Toyota Tacoma with the longer bed (73.2 Inches) and I'm not opposed to getting a bed extender. It looks like with the longest one I can find the 17t would have out about 6 and a half foot. NO idea if that's good or bad, visited a Kayak tryout day and a informative gentleman said that with the T-Bone extender and a long bed I'd be fine, but that was with the 8 foot bed.

Failing that, I found heavy duty bed mounted options that with the hobie cradles might work, getting it up chest high after a day in the sun might be fun, but hell I'm in pretty good shape, or will be after that a few times. I have been able to lift them before but I'm looking at a pulley system attachment to make that work if I don't feeling like lifting but do want to go fishing. (Gotta figure out that skeg thing for clearance though)

Eric

I think you will be fine. I just bought a 14 pa with a 5.5 bed and bed extender and the boat put almost zero load on the bed extender with the extender all the way up. The boat only hangs a foot over the extender. Did you consider storage of the boat yet? I did not consider a trailer when I purchased, but after building a cradle I realized that a trailer for transport and storage might be the best option. Just my two cents.

I have an F150 with the 6.5 foot bed. I have a PA14, and the Lund Bed extender. No issues at all. I put sections of 3 inch PVC over the "uprights" to protect the hull, and I put some carpet in the bed and over the tail gate for both protection and to help slide the boat in easier. Hope this helps.

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Scott B.
Michigan

I had considered a garage hoist system with straps, though borrowing an idea from in here (been stalking the forum without posting for about 5 months to make sure I wanna drop the cash) I was considering a very thick foam pad then straps. This way I could store this bad boy on the ceiling. Immediately after posting this I saw some guys linking to another form with folding Harbor Freight trailers. I am not overly awesome at modding things and do not own a welder though so I am still deciding how to work that. My HOA gets off its ass and enforces the rules when it comes to trailers in plain view.

The end goal would be to buy the 17t and take my 12 year old daughter out on lakes, then maybe a buddy out on the ocean. The PA14 is basically the give up option.

Edit:

Looking at the folding Harbor Freight things, I'd love the cash to buy a hobie trailer but again I'd have to hack it apart and put in joints to make it work for me. I am guessing that *might* void a warranty or two. But with pictures of guy that built the folding trailers up I think I might be able to do this. Some Hobie cradles and plywood (until I can procure a welder, and maybe the skills to use it) and I might be in business. But this brings up another question: For those of you that use PVC pipe is that to spread the load out farther than the purpose built items? I am wondering if the short trailer length might call for PVC rather than the cradles. Still not real sure on how that may hurt my 5 grand investment.

Here's a 6' bed with Harbor Freight bed extender with a 16' Adventure (Revo 16) on it and a 17' TI on top. Your longer bed should be fine. Just be careful backing up and take your corners easily so you don/t smack something with your boat!



PS. This is what the PA 14 looks like with and without a bed extender on the 6' bed. No problem wither way.

Wow looking at the Revo 16 I was like "Hey this could work!" But the PA14 makes me think I should bite the bullet and do the Harbor Freight trailer. I am amazed that it seems to balance in there perfectly without the extender but I think for longer trips (plan to take it to Florida from San Antonio next summer) I ought to just pull the trigger on a decent trailer and figure out how to lock the boat to it.

What's that rack you have there? The original idea was to try that since unlike your Tacoma mine is the cheapy low to the ground edition with tiny little tires, and as such would have only required me to lift the kayak to my chest to load it on a rack.


EDIT:

You know and if I love Kayaking as much as I think I do (and you all do) I may get a PA12 or 14 later this decade. Around the time I have enough money to decide to indulge in a little less physical effort in 'Kayaking for one' I am guessing that's after college, the VA doesn't pay me to indulge.

I have no experience with a Hobie Kayak (but I hope to change that) but I have had a Harbor Freight trailer for around 10 years. I assembled it with help from my son in a few hours. It bolts together, no welding required. The plywood bed is necessary to keep it square. It will not fold with anything more than the plwood on the bed. You could screw pieces to the bed or attach them with the stake pockets but you'll have to store them separately if you fold the trailer up.

Folding up the 4x8 is also a pretty good one man job. I'm 6'2" and 185 fairly fit lbs. I can do it but not with a lot to spare. You fold the back of the bed over the front (somewhat heavy but not bad), then stand it up, then fold the tongue down. When it is vertical and the tongue is up, it is tippy. And 300 lbs. HF recommends this as a two person job and it would be a good idea. If it gets to moving in a way you don't want, one person can't easily stop it.

I like my HF trailer and it is holding up well

I have the 17T and load it in a 6 foot bed with the bed extender. It is nice having a 2nd person just to support it. I have an old rug I put over the bed extender to not scratch up the bottom too much. I lift the front and place it on the extender, and then I lift the back and just slide it forward. A way that is easier when the bed is dry is to just grab the front and pull it in. It is definitely manageable but a trailer would be best.