How to Load a Kayak on Top of a Truck

Most kayakers have to strap their boats to the top of their vehicle to transport it to their destinations. Truck owners have to contend with the reduced width of their vehicles' roofs in addition to the hazards of driving with a boat attached. To be safe, you can either use foam padding---which prevents your kayak from sliding around---or purchase a roof rack specifically designed for kayaks.

Things You'll Need

  • For ties with foam padding:
  • 2 to 3 webbing straps with latches
  • 6 medium blocks of foam padding
  • Felt-tip marker
  • For roof-rack systems:
  • Roof-rack system designed for kayaks
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Instructions

  1. Foam Padding and Straps

    • 1

      Set your kayak upside-down on the roof of the truck. With the marker, trace two lines along the gunners of the kayak (this should produce two long arcs running from the windshield to the trunk). Take the kayak off the roof.

    • 2

      Place foam pads on top of the small lines you just drew. Rotate them until they're parallel with the lines.

    • 3

      Set the kayak upside-down on the foam pads. Make sure the kayak gunners run through the middle of each pad, then press down firmly on the hull.

    • 4

      Throw one of the straps across the kayak. Open the passenger-side and driver's-side doors, then bring the latch for the strap into the car and fasten it tight against the roof. If you did this correctly, you should still be able to close and lock both doors.

    • 5

      Throw a second strap across the kayak. Nudge it towards the back of the kayak and lace both ends through the open rear doors. Tie the straps together and push the strap towards the rear window, then fasten tightly.

    • 6

      Try to wiggle the kayak left and right. If you strapped it securely enough, it should be very hard to move.

    • 7

      Optional: Tie a third strap to the front bow and fasten the end around your front bumper. Test it by lifting up the bow gently---if the hull lifts up from the roof, you will have to refasten it.

    Roof Rack System

    • 8

      Align the roof rack so the kayak slots run parallel to the sides of your vehicle. This reduces wind resistance on the highway and ensures that the kayak will not affect your truck's handling.

    • 9

      Slide the kayak into the slots. Clamp the latches and attachments over the sides of the boat and try to wiggle the kayak left and right. If you strapped it securely enough, it should be very hard to move.

    • 10

      Throw straps across the kayak. Open the passenger-side and driver's-side doors, then bring the latch for the strap into the car and fasten it tight against the roof. If you did this correctly, you should still be able to close and lock both doors. Throw a second strap across the kayak. Nudge it towards the back of the kayak and lace both ends through the open rear doors. Tie the straps together and push the strap towards the rear window, then fasten tightly. If the roof rack has horizontal bars as its base, you can wrap the straps around those bars instead of around your roof.

    • 11

      Optional: Tie a third strap to the front bow and fasten the end around your front bumper. Test it by lifting up the bow gently---if the hull lifts up from the roof, you will have to refasten it.