Kayaks and gear problem

[unit13]

At some point, I would like to use my 2009 Ford 1/2 ton pickup to haul camping gear, kayaks, and my 1990 Airstream. My trailer is 25' long - my truck seems to pull it just fine. The problem I have is I would like to have my truck bed covered with some kind of tonneau cover to protect stuff, but I feel I need some kind of racks for our kayaks. I haul big stuff in my truck a lot and don't want the cover in my way. I need some kind of folding cover that will not get in the way of the racks. I would like my camping stuff safe from the elements and from the criminal elements. I'm stumped on finding some kind of rakes and bed cover that work together. I also would like racks that I can take off easily and I sure would like not to spend a truck load of money. My kayaks are 12' long. Thanks

[GeocamperAS]

I have an older model of this.
http://www.agricover.com/access/adarac/

The cover is a roll cover. Velcro's on the side.
The racks are very easily removable when you don't need them.
I bought a tall set for my kayak and a short set for the bikes.
Here is the best pix I have on my iPad.

[TinTin]

The Thule half ton rack systems should work fine for carrying kayaks as long as your tonneau cover does not cover the bed rails. Some tonneaus like the Extang Solid Fold do cover the rails, though they are very easy to take off. The tonneaus that don't cover the bed rails, such as the Bakflip G2 or Bakflip F1 are a little more complicated to remove, but you can use rack systems that mount on the rail (such as the Thule) with the tonneau in place.

[mojo]

I basically have the same equipment as you. I opted for a Roll-n-Lock cover which rolls back and locks to the tailgate. For the 16' kayak, I went for Thule roof rack bars and kayak saddles that temporarily mount to the roof of the truck. This way there was no issue with the stern of the kayak interfering with the front of the trailer since the mount was moved forward.

[Bruce B]

Here is our solution... TracRac makes the entire system and the best part is it all moves out of your way easily when you need it to.
Bruce

[perryg114]

Put a rack support on the cab and one on a camper topper. You can put the boats on top and the gear locked in the topper. You won't have to remove any thing to access your gear and you have lots of room. Toppers come off pretty easy. My wife and I can take mine off.

Perry

[nilesrob]

The pictures attached are not great, but here is what I did.

I put a TracRac system over the bed with a tonneau cover and rails that slide off when not needed. I carry a generator, camping gear, a tub for kayak stuff, tool chest and perhaps most importantly - a beer cooler in the bed. Over the rail system I have a Yakama "tray" that I use to carry firewood and other weather resistant stuff.

Over the cab I have installed a Thule Hullavator for carrying kayaks; at the moment one kayak is 16.5' and one is 11'.

For bikes I recently added the Airstream onto the back of the Airstream. All in all, this overall system has met all my needs for carrying gear.

[Zigidachs]

We also have a Thule saddle system on the cab of the truck, easily accessible thru the truck bed for loading and unloading by retracting the Roll-N-Lock cover. Works like a charm…..

[unit13]

Thanks for all the great information & taking the time to pass it on. My wife & I plan to retire in a couple of years - hope we run into wonderful people like you on the road

[PEN]

Helpful info. We are searching, too, for a way to carry two kayaks and maybe a bike, and keep our roll-up tonneau cover, if possible.