About 4 months ago I posted my dilema of how to haul bikes, kayaks, 4 kids, and 6500# hybrid, I thought I would post some pics and details of my solution.
First, I wanted a rack that was reasonably priced, but was easy to remove (i don't want the rack on all year), but I also wanted a tonneau cover for the bed that would work in conjunction with the rack.
I looked at the Trac-Rack system with Tonneau, but at ~$1000 for the rack, and $600 for the tonneau cover, it was just too pricy.
The only other stake-hole pocket racks that I could find were from US Rack, and Head Rack.
I liked the cross bars mounting of the Head Rack system and how they did not need front to back suppot bars.
The Head Rack system ($450) is also set up to work with the Truxedo LoProQT tonneau covers ($450).
As for the bikes, I put several fork-locks on a pressure treated 2x4 and put it up against the front of the bed.
Removing the front tire give more clearance for the kayaks, and also gives me a ton of room at the tailgate for a couple of kids bikes turned sideways.
With the kayaks, I have plenty of room between the end of the kayaks and the RV...even for sharp turns.
The kayaks are 14' long, 33" wide, and weigh about 70lbs (Hobie Mirage Oasis)and fit with plenty of room.
Here is a close up of the ends of the cross bars.
Front stabilizing rope is fed thru the cab behind the front row.
Here we are at a rest stop
Anyway, I hope this info can be of help to those trying to solve the truck rack/tonneau cover/long kayak scenario.
Doug
Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum limit of 640px maximum width to avoid scrolling.
* This post was
edited 07/31/11 07:32am by an administrator/moderator *
Could you resize those pictures to "500" wide.....I won't have to keep scrolling side to side, or reduce the size of my "page" to see the whole picture...
Great idea with the bikes and kayaks.....very impressive. Bike board looks more like a 1x6 deck plank, than the 2x4 you mentioned.
great job, thanks for posting about it!!
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293 The Pets
Just a thought,be carefull to have someone watch when you back up.Those kyaks might hit the camper if you cut it hard.Hopefully they dont,and great job its nice and neat
Yes, backing/cutting hard was a concern, but even at a full turn, they still clear the camper by about 6 inches. I can also push the kayaks up a bit more if need be.
Thanks for the kudos.
Now I just need to kids to get older so I dont have to load it all myself!
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