Kayak Rack Distance

I need some assistance from the physics masters and others here. I have an older tandem Mirage that is 14' in length. I am looking to get a rack to haul the kayak on my truck. I have a 2006 Toyota Tundra double cab. I have a tonneau cover on the bed so any rack attached to the bed would be difficult, if not impossible. I do have a 2" receiver hitch that can be used. Is there a recommended minimum and maximum distance between the racks? Obviously having the racks one foot apart is WAY too close, and having the racks thirteen feet apart is WAY too far. What is the optimum and the min/max distance?

Thx, Rob

Have you actually looked at the spacing of roof racks for your truck? I have a Ram Quad cab and use Yakima racks and carry any of my kayaks, including a 17' sea kayak and have no problems. I take them to Florida and back, from New York State every winter. I just make sure they are tied bow and stern besides being strapped to the rack.

Dave, I was concerned that putting the rack on just the cab would be too close. It is a double cab, so I can have some distance between the racks. I just didn't know if that would be enough. I was thinking of putting one rack on the back of the cab and one coming up from the hitch, but that will probably be seven feet or so. Is that too far apart?

Two racks on the cab and one T bar hitch mount should do it. You can span the 6-7 foot bed easily enough.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt, do I necessarily need three cross pieces? These things aren't cheap, but I am. I think if I have racks on just the cab that would put them maybe four feet apart (I haven't measured it) and if I have one at the back of the cab and one coming up from the hitch that will be about seven feet apart. Is four feet apart better or worse than seven feet?

I think one aft on the cab and the T bar would work.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks mucho!

I started out trying a "T" bar off the hitch and one roof rack. I wasn't comfortable with the span with a 14' kayak, it was supported too far to the ends. My Quad Cab is sort of a cab and 3/4. If you find where on the roof the racks would sit, that is set by the rack company, you can get an idea what the span would be. I think you are better carrying the kayak with the support under the beamiest section of the boat, rather than hanging by the ends. The "T" bar, depending on the brand, could be 18" behind the tail gate. With a 6' bed and depending where the rack sits on the truck, the support could be only 24-28" in from the end. I haven't carried my Revo 13 on the rack, I just put it in the bed of the truck.

Thanks Dave. I will go to the rack shop to see what they have available for my truck. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say as well. I had not thought that a T-bar off the hitch would be 18" farther back.