New Rack System

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eyedoc
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Location: Portland, TX

New Rack System

Post by eyedoc »

I’ve struggled with deciding how to transport the yaks and think I’ve hit pay dirt. I have to carry 3-4 every time I go (plus gear), but a lot of places make a trailer a PITA either for parking or just getting turned around.

I had them vertical in the back, but then I’ve got the seats, rods, tackle, pfd, and I’ve only got a 6.5’ bed so they stuck out almost further than they were in (I’ve got a roll too tonneau).

So, after a little research, a little more money, a bit of ingenuity, a little metal work and a bit of frustration, it’s perfect! Crossbars in the t-slot of my retrax pro, vertical stackers and a bed extender...the only change I’m going to make is to fab a tongue with an arm that I can raise up so I can park in normal parking spots (city parks, etc)Image
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Neumie
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Re: New Rack System

Post by Neumie »

Damn, that's slick.
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Ron Mc
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Re: New Rack System

Post by Ron Mc »

agree, that's a very nice job.
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eyedoc
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Re: New Rack System

Post by eyedoc »

Thanks, guys. I kept debating whether to just get a trailer (which would be a hell of a lot easier to load), but it’s just a lot easier to park, hit drive thrus after the paddle and takes up less space in my driveway.


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FingerMullet
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Re: New Rack System

Post by FingerMullet »

Dang!! Very smart!! Nice!!!


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FingerMullet
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Re: New Rack System

Post by FingerMullet »

Where did you get the bed rail from?


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eyedoc
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Re: New Rack System

Post by eyedoc »

FingerMullet wrote:Where did you get the bed rail from?


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The rail and crossbar are from Rhino Rack and the stackers are from Ikuram. The bed extender, I had made.


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eyedoc
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Re: New Rack System

Post by eyedoc »

Ok, made some modifications and shortened it. It’s a lot more stable and my tailgate opens, but I miss having the room behind it!Image
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Ron Mc
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Re: New Rack System

Post by Ron Mc »

that shorter reach also saves you needing lighting.
You can get by with a 1' flag on your kayak tail day or night.
mwatson71
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Re: New Rack System

Post by mwatson71 »

Man that looks great. The one thing I hate about top loading on my SUV is the inability to hit the Whataburger drive thru after a day or night of fishing.
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eyedoc
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New Rack System

Post by eyedoc »

mwatson71 wrote:Man that looks great. The one thing I hate about top loading on my SUV is the inability to hit the Whataburger drive thru after a day or night of fishing.
Lol...the definitely factored into the equation! Hard to paddle without my breakfast taquito. I haven’t found a drive thru I couldn’t get through, so I’m happy.


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eyedoc
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Re: New Rack System

Post by eyedoc »

I think next, I’ll be designing an arm with a winch that’ll load them. That Malibu 2XL and the Ascend are ridiculously heavy, so it’d be nice to not have to lift them over my head like I’m not almost 50.


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David0408
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Re: New Rack System

Post by David0408 »

Damn, I thought that rack was something I could buy! Oh well. Back to the Harbor Freight Kayak trailer build. Nice work!


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