RTT with 2 tandem kayaks on a F150.... Is it possible?

[Pilotamis]

I have a F150 with a cap and want to put a 4 person RTT as well as 2 tandem kayaks on it. The cap itself obviously can't support that kind of load so I'm thinking of using a rack similar to this.

My thought is to have the RTT in the middle of the rack while the kayaks are supported from the lower bar, on the outside of the rack, keeping it lower than where the RTT would possibly be. I could use a mount like this. This would make the vehicle wider, but I don't think it would be an issue with a sit on top kayak. I would have to measure it since their website does not give a height of the boat.

Any thoughts on how feasible this set up is? Have anyone seen or done a system similar? At this point, a trailer for either the boats or RTT is not an option. Either is putting the boats in the bed of the truck.

 

[docwatson]

Are you saying mount the RTT with a kayak height gap underneath? I think that would work. It would certainly behoove you to take a look at the rack to make sure the upper bars could carry the load of an RTT.

If you don't already have the kayaks you might consider inflatables. They tend to run cheaper then the plastic ones and you wouldn't have to get so creative with carrying them. But you would lose some of the "look at me and how active my family is" while you drive to the water since the kayaks wouldn't be on your roof.

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

I think he was talking about mounting them horizontal on the side of the rack to the vertical tubes. Makes his overall width wider.

 

[docwatson]

Ok I see what you are saying. I think that make you pretty wide going down the road and potentially affect using your side mirrors, unless you have the tow mirrors. If you google RTT with 2 kayaks people have done it putting everything on top.

 

[Betarocker]

If your tent opens to the side, you might have room to add rack bars ahead and behind the tent, and then have the kayak pads on those. Kayaks would need to be removed to open tent, unless you design a them to flip to the opposite side than the tent opens to,

 

[Buliwyf]

Easy, use 86" cross bars, and those folding kayak mounts that hold the yac on it's side. If it's a fat plastic yak and not a skinny surf ski.

 

[Pilotamis]

I think he was talking about mounting them horizontal on the side of the rack to the vertical tubes. Makes his overall width wider.

Exactly what I was thinking. Thule has a lift system called the Hullavator, but its $650 per side. I think what we're going to do it put the boats in front of the RTT on a rack from a front bumper receiver and then hanging the boats over the roof rack. I still need to measure it out, but I think its our cheapest option. Truck width was a concern with 2 SOT kayaks hanging off the sides.