Recommended Solution to Add Cross Bars and Bed Extender to Retrax XR on 2019 Ram 1500 for Kayak
Updated 01/01/2021 | Published 12/30/2020
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Question:
I have a 2019 Ram 1500 limited with a Retrax XR bed cover. I also have an Old Town Autopilot 120 kayak. The kayak is very heavy, approximately 85 pounds. I need a bed rack to fit the Retrax with some sort of extension to help load up the kayak.
asked by: Ralph H
Expert Reply:
To add a rack to your Retrax XR tonneau cover I recommend using the Yakima OverHaul HD Adjustable Truck Bed Ladder Rack # Y01151-58 and Tonneau Cover Adapter Kit # Y01155. Once you install this rack you can use the Yakima Long Arm # Y01149 to give you a long and secure platform for the kayak. This combo will give you a great setup capable of handling your Old Town Autopilot 120 kayak, and pretty much anything else you can throw at it. The OverHaul HD is one of the only racks that is designed to work with the Retrax XR rails, and the Long Arm not only works as an extender but can be used for leverage to help load the kayak onto the bars.
If you don't like the idea of laying the kayak on the bare bars, you can use the Yakima Crossbar Pads for Aero Crossbars - 30" Long - Qty 2 # Y07413 to help keep the boat from getting scratched up and shifting around on the bars. If you don't already have ratchet straps or tie downs for the boat, I recommend picking up some Erickson Re-Tractable Ratchet Straps w/ Push Button Releases - 2" x 10' - 1,100 lbs - Qty 2 # EM34416 since there are no tie-down straps included with any of the rack components.
I've linked some review videos of these for you to check out.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Yakima LongArm Truck Bed Load Extender - 2" Hitches - Aluminum - 300 lbs
- Truck Bed Extender
- Folds for Storage
- Adjustable Height
- 60 Inch Wide
- Hitch Load Extender
- Aluminum
- Black
- Yakima
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