If you’re looking for a way to transport your kayak, then this article is the perfect place to start. We’ll talk about three ways that are often used and then give you some pros and cons of each one so you can make an informed decision on which method will work best with your situation.
Contents
Clean the truck bed
Clean the truck bed. Before loading your kayak, clear out any debris that may be in there from previous transportations of items. There are some companies that offer a service to do this for you if you don’t want to take care of it yourself beforehand. This will help ensure that when you load up your kayak, the scratches won’t get any worse. The last thing anyone wants is their car scratched by another item while they’re driving down the road!
Lower the tailgate and get the kayak
When you’re done cleaning up the truck bed, go ahead and lower the tailgate. Then head back to your car or garage for that kayak! Ask somebody else around if they can help with carrying it because two people will be able to carry it much easier than one person could on their own. And don’t forget about picking up by using handles at either end! Or you can just get a kayak cart and it will help you move the kayak more easily and effortlessly.
Place the kayak inside the truck bed
To load your kayak onto the truck, first figure out how long it is. If you’re using a pickup with an 8 foot bed and have a 7’6″ boat to store-in then this isn’t too difficult. The most important thing when loading up your new toy for transport will be making sure that there’s enough room left over so you can still drive comfortably if need be!
Once everything appears safe from traffic hazards or other obstacles – lift your kayak carefully with two people lifting together because weight distribution matters here. Next slowly slide it onto the bed of the truck. Now carefully lower it. Don’t be in a rush because that would do more harm than good.
Position the boat
Now since the kayak is placed inside, you need to make sure that it is positioned perfectly. There is no room for error here. One end of that kayak should be up against the wall of the truck, while the other end should be up against something that will help it stay in place. Make sure there is enough space between these two ends so none of them are touching each other or any edges inside your vehicle as this can cause serious injuries to both you and your boat!
Strap the kayak
Now that your kayak is inside the truck bed, it’s time to strap it down. Fortunately this isn’t a hard task because most trucks have anchor points on their wall. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to purchase some and install them before strapping in! You’re going to need two cam straps – one for the bow (front) of your kayak and another for its stern (rear). Simply thread them through the grab handles then pull tight so they don’t come loose while driving around corners or unpacking at campgrounds.
Attach a red flag
You’re not out of the woods just yet. There’s always a secret code to follow in order to avoid any potential accidents when transporting your kayak, and this one is no different. If you happen have an extra-large load on board for transportation, it is best that you attach red flag at the back end so other drivers know what they are getting into before making their turn onto the highway – as well as yourself!
