Beware of the bed extender in really hot weather. If you strap it down too tight you'll get a dent where the bed extender contacts the back of the kayak. If you have a predator or a bigwater, the bed extender sits just under the back of the kayak just behind the rear seat area. It can dent pretty easy. Lucky my dent came out just putting it in the sun. I like the handle tie down option, but it looks like there is too much kayak sticking out and I would be afraid of the backend bouncing. I may do the handle tie downs and one loosely over the back using the bed extender strap loops.
I once had a hitch carrier I made at work and it just had a slight v-shaped keel roller made from clear yellow urethane. I used it to transport an Old Town Discovery 16'9" canoe right side up in an 8' bed with a cap, window closed with the tailgate down. No racks on top. So figure about 6' feet was hanging out past the tailgate. I installed a set of cheap trailer lights on it. It would take just a minute to tie the stern down to the roller bar. I'd tie those cam straps off after you cinch them down and wouldn't cut them down. Just tie them down over the kayak to the other strap. Then I became full time kayaker. Canoe is just fading away. Have you ever heard of Crescent Kayaks?
I like that. I guess I am still afraid that my "investment" will bounce around too much so I put a strap across the bed extender to stop it from bouncing. I may not need it but it makes the drive a little more relaxing. 😂🤣 --Brent
Hey Nick, do you run into any issues with leaving the pedal unit in the hull during long trips? Wasnt sure what the best way was to secure the pedal drive. Thanks!
I lay a moving blanket down on the bed first to save the hull from scratching when it slides in and out. Otherwise I load my Topwater 120 PDL the same way. No bed extender necessary in a 6' bed.
That looks simple. I have a similar truck and bed extender but I was using 6 straps to hold my kayak in place. Talk about overkill! I’m trying your method next time, 1 strap on each side and done.
Just bought a bed extender from Amazon. I'm anxious to see if I need to remove the tool box from my truck. Thanks for the video. Liked and subscribed btw.
Quick question that came to mind whilst watching this. As far as storage, can you store the kayak on its side horizontally strapped to wall? Or does it always have to be flat? Just weighing up my options. Thanks in advance 👍👍
The Predator comes with scupper plugs and a bag on the rear of the seat. The BigWater doesn’t come with either. It comes will a $3 tackle box and new graphics. Currently a 2020 Predator PDL is a smarter purchase.
