Well now, let me tell ya somethin’ about them pickup truck kayak carriers. You know, for folks like us who like to get out on the water, hauling them kayaks can be a real pain in the rear end. I remember back in the day, we used to just throw ’em in the back of the truck and hope for the best. But times have changed, I reckon, and these newfangled carriers, they make things a whole lot easier.
First off, you gotta figure out what kind of truck you got. Is it a big ol’ Ford F150, or maybe one of them smaller Toyotas? Makes a difference, you see. Some carriers fit better on certain trucks, and you don’t wanna be messin’ around with somethin’ that don’t fit right.
- Now, there’s this one called the AA-Racks X35. It’s adjustable, which is good, ’cause not all kayaks or trucks are the same size. The length goes from somethin’ like 28 inches to 30 and a half, and the width goes from 51 to 71 inches. Sounds fancy, but it just means it can fit different sized stuff, you see.
- Then there’s the Viking Solutions Truck Bed Kayak/SUP Rack. This one’s heavy-duty, made of steel, and they say it can hold a lot of weight. Says it weighs somethin’ like 21 kilograms, which is kinda heavy if you ask me. But I guess that means it’s strong, right? They also talk about it bein’ powder-coated, which I guess helps keep it from rustin’ all to pieces. It’s extendable too, goes from 46 to 71 inches, so that’s good.
Another one I heard about is the VEVOR Extendable Steel Truck Ladder Rack. This one also says it can hold 800 pounds, which is a heck of a lot of weight. Same deal as the Viking one, it’s extendable and you don’t gotta drill holes in your truck, which is a blessin’. Nobody wants to be puttin’ holes in their truck, I tell ya.
And then there’s the MAXXHAUL 50241, a pair of adjustable steel racks. These are the kind you see a lot, just simple racks that get the job done. Nothin’ fancy, but they work, and sometimes that’s all you need. I always say, keep it simple, stupid. That’s what my husband used to say, God rest his soul.
Lastly, there’s these Universal Heavy Duty Aluminum Adjustable Pickup Truck Racks. They say they fit a bunch of different trucks, like Fords and Toyotas. Aluminum is lighter than steel, so that’s good if you’re not as strong as you used to be, you know? And bein’ adjustable means you can use ’em for different things, not just kayaks. Maybe a ladder or some lumber, if you’re fixin’ somethin’ around the house.
So, when you’re lookin’ for a kayak carrier for your truck, think about what you need. How big is your kayak? How heavy is it? How big is your truck bed? And how much money do you wanna spend? Don’t go spendin’ a fortune on somethin’ you don’t need. And make sure it’s easy to use, ’cause nobody wants to be fussin’ around with a complicated contraption when they’re tryin’ to go fishin’.
And another thing, make sure it’s sturdy. You don’t want that kayak comin’ loose on the highway, that’s for sure. That’d be a disaster, I tell ya. So, take your time, do your research, and get yourself a good carrier. It’ll make your life a whole lot easier, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time on the water without worryin’ about how you’re gonna get your kayak there and back.
Tags: [pickup truck, kayak carrier, truck bed, AA-Racks, Viking Solutions, VEVOR, MAXXHAUL, adjustable, heavy-duty, steel, aluminum, kayak rack, truck rack, water sports]
