For years I have been hauling kayaks in the back of my truck paranoid that the wind would catch one of them and send them airborne. When there was only two, it wasn't too bad. They could lay flat on the lip of the closed tailgate and point skyward. We now have three and we are in the market for a fourth. This means we have to stack them vertically, and they slide around, and they are always on the verge of lift off. I welded up some square tube that mounts in my trailer hitch, extends rearward to just beyond the open tailgate, then up about a foot above the open tailgate. Up there it has a cross bar the length of the tailgate, and then uprights on each end. Now I can run the truck with the bed open and the back edges of the kayaks supported by the goal post looking thing I just built. Highway speeds here I come.
I would think you would want to secure(tie down) each unit in order to avoid having them bounce around and subject to leaving the truck.
Very similar idea except it just goes behind the open tail gate, crossbar is higher, and there are support rails pointing up on the ends to keep the kayaks from sliding around. I took the truck with the kayaks for a ride around town unsecured and all was great. I will tie them down, just not sure how yet. Thinking eye hooks and a braided wire tether, but for now, just some good rope. Wife and kids were not impressed, but a couple of friends stopped by later in the day and they were.
You don't have ratchet strap technology where you live?
Sure do and that would be the easy button. Only one problem. My wife and daughters use the truck and kayaks all the time when I'm not around. Ever see a female try and operate a ratchet strap?? Or for that matter, and guy thats not a car guy outdoorsy type. Truly one of those experiences that need to be enjoyed with a beer in your hand, and your buddies beside you Hank Hill style.
T.J.
UltimaDork
6/6/16 6:09 a.m.
In reply to tr8todd:
Been there, done that. Not the home made kayak rack, but with witnessing ratchet straps gone bad. In the wrong hands they can be a real bear. I would think some eyebolts and bungies may be the answer.
SVreX
MegaDork
6/6/16 6:22 a.m.
Wait...so, your position is that estrogen makes people mechanically incompetent, and your solution is to try to devise a method to haul large objects on public highways without the use of appropriate tie downs??
Sorry. Can't go there.
as an ex-commercial driver, I often made the comment that people need a "rachet strap 101" course before being allowed to load or unload cargo. I watched many a person make a mess of my straps because they did not know how to use them.
My advice, teach your wife and daughter how to use them properly.
Whats safer, ratchet straps or cut to fit metal cables? I contest that the cables are equally safe if not safer in this case. Kayaks move, bend, crush, and deform if you try ratchet them down. A metal cable will allow them to jostle around, but maintain their shape. No way they are flying out if secured in place with cables.... and the dog collar clips on each end will be easy to do undo. I'm willing to bet those kayak/canoe rental places with those giant trailers full of boats don't ratchet them down.
Rubber bungie cords come in all different lengths, and would do a fair job gripping the boat hulls. Easy to apply, but remember they are the #1 cause of eye injuries so wear your safety glasses. 
In reply to tr8todd:
The local place uses bungee cords on their trailer. I think 3 on each canoe, and then another really big one going around the stacks on each side as a redundancy measure.
My wife can use a ratchet strap fine. She is also certified to drive things most of you boys (myself included) wouldn't know how to put into gear!
I would say anyone who can, I dunno, drive a car, is well equipped to learn to use a ratchet strap!
SVreX
MegaDork
6/6/16 2:35 p.m.
In reply to joey48442:
Your wife must be exceptional. 
Oh she is! Gorgeous, and has a cdl! Also refuses to own an automatic.
SVreX wrote:
In reply to joey48442:
Your wife must be exceptional.
I prefer the cam lock straps for kayaks. It's very easy to over-tighten a ratchet strap against plastic hulls, especially on a hot day. You can deform the hull. Remember, the tension on the strap is distributed over the entire length of the strap, so they generate a lot of holding power if you get them snug along the entire width of the hull. Then, use bungees or some other secondary holding mechanism just in case one fails.
