Bad Idea?

[Lady(fish)Killer]

Im transporting my Perception Caster 12.5 in my Tacoma, nose in and angled over the closed tailgate. How bad is this for the hull. I only go maybe 15 miles max in one direction.

[Lady(fish)Killer]

Im transporting my Perception Caster 12.5 in my Tacoma, nose in and angled over the closed tailgate. How bad is this for the hull. I only go maybe 15 miles max in one direction.

[vakayakangler]

Just my humble opinion, but I would say that the idea ranges from a basic bad idea to a really bad idea depending on the temperatures and the speeds at which you are going to be running...

High summer temps equals more flex in the hull and the higher speeds of open interstates equals much more downdraft on that hull.

A much better idea would be to drop the tailgate so that the hull sits flush with the pressure evenly distributed rather than having the tailgate cutting across the bottom and creating a prssure point. Then tie the kayak in. A bed extender will help if you have a hitch, but if not, at least you have removed that angle from the yak and greatly reduced the downdraft pressure the angle creates... and evenly distributing the hull takes away that tailgate pressure on the hull which could damage the hull itself, cause a dent, or worse, flex the keel line.

The kayaks hull could be flexed out of true and then would always want to turn, or could bow, and would forever paddle less efficiently. I say could... you could also be just fine... but I would lower the tailgate.. for the transport and tie that puppy in... an ounce of prevention.. http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/thumbsup.gif

Hope this helps.

[ORF]

Exactly what Jim said!

JJ

[Lady(fish)Killer]

Are there bed extenders that will attach to a "ball type" trailer hitch. Where would I find one?

Thanks

[vakayakangler]

I would email the company that makes the other one and ask... they may have something. Or.. there is always "google." I haven't had to use a bed extender, so haven't been much into it, but a lot of my friends have made good use of them. You can adapt by using a length of 2x8 mounted to extend past the tailgate and rigged somehow to stay in the bed... but that's a "do it yourself" forum post... and would be a backup plan to the extender.