Solution to Carry 2 Kayaks/SUPs on 2015 Toyota Tundra with Truck Bed Cap

Question:

Hi, Im looking for a solution to haul up to 2 kayaks / 2 SUPs or combination for a 2015 Toyota Tundra w/bed cap. We currently have the truck w/ a Thule Xsporter Pro mounted to the bed of the truck and using two sets of the Dock Glide. Were wanting to add a cap / shell to the truck e.g. ARE Overland - attaching photo of our truck model / color and the cap were thinking about and wanting to still take our two kayaks out. And were looking at adding one to two SUPs. So having a system that could haul 2 kayaks, or 2 SUPs, or one of each would be ideal. And if that solution was a load assist one, that would just be stellar :D Any suggestions? And as I type this, Im now wondering if my best solution would be to concentrate on the kayak load assist system for two, and get inflatable SUPs that we deflate for transportation? Thanks for you time!

asked by: Aaron

Expert Reply:

After doing a bit of research, I've come with a couple of options for you.

To install a roof rack on top of your truck bed cap or camper shell, I recommend the Thule TracRac CapRac # TH29200XT. This will provide the crossbars needed to attach a roof mounted kayak or SUP carrier. This system has a capacity of 500 lbs but your limiting factor will be the capacity of whichever bed cap you end up going with.

Your best option for a kayak carrier with load assist is the Malone DownLoader Kayak Carrier and TelosXL Load Assist # MPG114MD-351XL. The TelosXL load assist system is only attached to the carrier when loading the kayak. This makes all the difference in the amount of space it takes up on the crossbars, allowing you to carry two kayaks side by side with an additional DownLoader # MPG114MD. You can use the same set of the TelosXL Load Assist for both carriers.

Most kayak carriers with an integrated load assist feature, like the Yakima ShowDown # Y04081 you were lookig at, carry the kayak on its belly and take up considerable room on top of the crossbars, so being able to use two at the same time isn't possible. The # Y04081 allows you to carry only 1 kayak or 2 SUPs at one time.

You can use one DownLoader to carry 1 kayak on its side, and re-purpose one set of your Thule DockGlides # TH896 to carry your 2 SUPs stacked flat one on top of the other, beside the kayak. You'll want to position the saddles as flat as possible under the SUPs.