Carrying 150-lb Fishing Kayak on 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab

Published 04/21/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Rhino-Rack T-Load Hitch Mounted Load Assist and Support Bar for 2" Hitches - 49" Long

(508)

$359.99

Erickson Big Bed Junior Load Extender for Truck Bed or Roof - 2" Hitches - 350 lbs

(181)

$136.90

Question:

Im looking something to load a Hobie Pro Angler 14 on to my pickup and still be able to open the tailgate on a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The kayak weighs about 150 lbs so Im also looking for something to help with the task of putting it on the roof but also want to be able to use my tailgate once the kayak is off the truck but do not want to remove the t-rack at the lake. Any suggestions? Thanks

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

You have a few different requirements going on at once. Let's take them one at a time.

Your Mirage Pro Angler 14 fishing kayak measures 164-inches long x 38-inches wide and does indeed weigh a substantial 150-lbs fully rigged. Most roof-rack-mount kayak carriers do not have a weight capacity anywhere near this. Most top out at 75-80-lbs. Only the hitch-mount type like the Rhino-Rack T-Load Load Assist # RTL002 that you referenced and the similar Erickson Big Bed Junior Load Extender # EM07605 can handle that kind of weight load.

It is possible that your truck's cab does not have a weight rating sufficient to handle a roof rack, kayak carrier AND half of the kayak's weight, with the remainder being handled by the hitch-mount load support. (Check your manual for the roof capacity.) However, this may bring us to your lowest-cost, lowest-weight and best option.

A foam block kayak carrier like the Rightline Gear# RL100K10 requires no roof rack, is low in cost, weighs only 2-lbs yet supports up to 130-lbs of boat weight. If used along with a load bar support, this will be the least-costly way to transport the kayak. However, this solution does not help you with single-person loading of a fairly heavy craft. Also, this approach will require you to remove the load support for access to your tailgate.

There is no single solution that meets all of your criteria but the linked article and kayak carrier pages may help you decide on the characteristics most important to you.

expert reply by: Adam R