Canoe in pick up bed?

Flapjack1 · 11-16-2003, 12:37 PM

Hey fellas,
Just had an off the wall question to ask you all...I am in the market for a canoe, and was wondering if any of you transport a 14 footer in the bed of your pickup. I dont really want to go down to a 12 footer if I can help it. I have a 8' bed. I understand I' ll have about 4+' of it over the tailgate( with it down). Is it going to be a pain to transport it like that? I know I' ll probably have to do some pretty fancy tie down work, but Is it practical?? Just thought I' d ask here before I shell out $500 and find out it wont do what I want. Thanks a bunch guys...

SchuylkillOutdoorsman · 11-16-2003, 05:57 PM

I have a dakota with short bed, and my buddy has a 12 aluminum boat I dont have any problems with it when we load it up, I think you will be ok with it.

bucks4me · 11-16-2003, 06:04 PM

I have a 6 footbed and haul a 12 foot jonboat around..WITH the aid of a product called " Extend -A- Bed" ...It is a steel arm that slides into a stanard receiver hitch. The end comes up with a horizontail bar and two side arms too hold the rear of the boat,,,ladders...lumber...etc....you could add triller lights for added safty if your handy...look for it on the web. or truck /Auto supply... There are two brands out that I know of...surf /search and you will find them..I love mine!

Canadian Hunter312 · 11-18-2003, 05:33 PM

u can just flip it upside down and put it on top of yer cab and then tie it down on each end to each bumper and if possible in the middle of the canoe. u can buy special foam padding that is made for this purpose so that the canoe doesnt damage yer paint.....but we always use rags

ch312

phishook · 11-21-2003, 10:43 PM

depends how far you' re going.

I put a 16.5' canoe in the back of a regular bed going back roads to a river, with no problems.

The longer the canoe the better, when in the water.

PAHUNTER21 · 11-25-2003, 01:37 AM

ever think of racks to lift it above the cab? It' ll also give you room in the bed to store stuff.

scguide · 12-11-2003, 07:27 AM

I have a 14' Sportspal canoe in the bed of my extended cab Dakota right now. I can drive it up from the boat ramp without even strapping it down. When going down the road I use one ratchet strap at the back of the bed and one at the front. It doesn't even move. I drive down dirt roads and do 80 on the interstate with no problem.
For insurance I ran a piece of aircraft cable between the tie downs next to the cab and secured it to the anchor loop on the front of the canoe with a lock. That way, when the straps get old or rot and break loose, the canoe might bounce around a bit, but it can't leave the bed of the truck.

sawbill · 12-12-2003, 07:04 PM

Just saw your post a minute ago and figured you won't be checking it anymore as its a bit stale. Just in case you are still wondering though, I've carried my 14 footer with me for years on all sorts of roads. Dirt roads are really the issue as your truck will bouce around a lot more. Firstly all I did was leave my tailgate open and lay a 2" x 4" on the end of it so the canoe would sit on that. Don't waste any money on carrying racks if you can get away w/o them. They have a nasty habit of wearing through the gunnels and ruining them, especially on an aluminum canoe. For tying down, I just ran a rope from the thwart to each corner of the truck bed near the cab and then put any equipment I was carrying near the front to keep it from bouncing. I used my canoe on the job, travelling 5 days a week on dirt roads and never had any problems.

Clint. · 01-10-2004, 06:37 PM

I made a couple of wooden racks for my 15 foot canoe. They fit into the holes in the sides of the bed...and the canoe then goes over the top of the cab. I used 2X2's and then added a piece in the corners diagonally....all put together with deck scews shot with a drill.

Clint