8 Best Kayak Racks for Trucks (2023 Reviews and Guide)

Are you ready to hit the water with your kayak? Whether you’re an avid fisherman, a weekend river-runner, or prefer a leisurely paddle having the right truck rack can make all the difference.

There are a lot of different kayak racks to choose from. Finding the best fit can be a challenge. This guide will walk you through the best kayak truck racks and offer helpful information to purchase the best one.

If you are in a hurry to find a truck rack for your next kayak adventure, check out these top picks:

Kayak Racks for Trucks

A kayak rack for your truck should be able to carry the weight of your boat (or boats) and offer plenty of places to tie down your load. So, let’s get into these pickup truck kayak racks!

Apex ATR-RACK Ladder Rack

Features:

• Aluminum
• No drill installation
• Adjustable
• 800-pound weight limit

Review

Don’t let the name fool you; this rack is great for hauling your kayak to and from the water.  One of the great things about this rack is that you can still use the bed of your truck for other equipment.

The kayak will sit high enough to give you clearance to access your tailgate. This also leaves room to pull a travel trailer or utility trailer behind your truck.

The ladder stops on the rack are adjustable from side to side.  You can set those inches apart or the width of the truck bed.  This is helpful as you can tie your kayak securely no matter how wide your kayak is.  The height is not adjustable.

The capacity is 800 pounds, more than enough to carry a kayak or two.  Some users have been able to transport more than one kayak or a canoe and kayak. You may want to use rubber padding or pool noodles to protect your kayak during transport.

---

Goplus Pickup Truck Bed Hitch Extender

Features:

• Heavy-duty steel
• No drill installation
• Adjustable
• 350-pound weight limit

Review

This truck bed extender is an excellent way to haul your kayak to the water.  You can easily haul kayaks or other materials that extend past your truck bed (or roof). The unique aspect of this hitch-mounted bed extender is its versatility.

You can use it to extend your truck’s bed to make it longer or in a vertical position to be level with the roof of your vehicle. The height is adjustable from 15 ¾” (top of the shank) to 63 ¼,” and the width is adjustable from 28″ to 48″.  The extender is intended for use with a standard two inch hitch receiver.

The hitch extender can also be used with SUVs as with trucks. Depending on the length of your kayak (and a short trip to the water), you could lay down the SUV seats and use this extender that way.  You can also use it in the vertical configuration to strap your kayak to your SUV roof.

---

AA-Racks Model APX25

Features:

• Aluminum construction
• No drilling required
• Adjustable
• 800-pound weight limit

Review

This universal truck rack is made from heavy-duty aluminum, is easy to install, and does not require drilling.  The frame is versatile and multi-purpose, so it’s great for kayaks, a canoe, or other stuff you need to transport.

You will need to make sure this pickup truck kayak rack is compatible with your vehicle.  It will not fit if you have accessories like a camper shell, tonneau cover, or truck box. This rack is durable and comes in a variety of colors.

The rack is fully adjustable side to side (width). This is great since kayaks are different sizes. You can tie down your kayak nice and tight with the adjustable sliders. The height is not adjustable is the only negative. You may want to use a piece of rubber, or some other padding, like a pool noodle, to protect your kayak when you load it.

---

TMS Adjustable Utility Rack

Features:

• Heavy-duty steel
• Install requires drilling
• Adjustable
• 800-pound weight limit

Review

This heavy-duty steel construction rack will transport kayaks with ease.  The universal truck rack is adjustable to fit most trucks.  One nice feature of this rack is with your kayaks on top, you still have access to the rest of your truck bed and tailgate. This is an excellent use of space, and you can haul other gear.

This also frees your hitch receiver so you can pull a trailer behind you, such as a travel trailer or a utility trailer.  You can take your toys, an RV, camping gear, and kayaks when you head out.

The instructions call for this to be installed with bolts, which may require you to drill holes in your bed rail. Some users have installed this with C-clamps. It comes with a cleat to tie your kayak down to.

---

Thule Xsporter Pro Aluminum Truck Rack

Features:

• Aluminum
• No drilling required
• Adjustable
• 450-pound weight limit

Review

Thule’s height-adjustable Xsporter Pro is an ideal kayak rack for your truck.  This versatile rack is easy to load since you can adjust the height.  The load stops are adjustable from side to side, so you can get a snug fit no matter how wide your kayak is.

One great thing about this truck rack from Thule is that you can add accessories based on the equipment you want to transport.  The adjustable-height rack allows you to use the bed of your truck for other gear you want to take. So you can load your kayak on the rack and have plenty of space for camping or other equipment in your truck bed.

Installing this truck kayak rack requires no drilling, and it’s available for various vehicles. You will need to make sure the rack is compatible with your vehicle. Some accessories, like truck boxes, or camper shells, will not work with the Xsporter Pro.

---

YAKIMA – BigCatch Kayak Rack

Features:

• Rubber padded saddles
• Tool-free installation
• Adjustable
• 150-pound weight limit

Review

This universal kayak saddle is built for heavy fishing and sit on top kayaks. The oversized cradles have rubber-padded seats that accommodate the hull of the kayak. The BigCatch is designed to handle big kayaks up to 150 pounds.

The “catch” here is that these are designed to fit Yakima Streamline and HD bars.  So, if you already have a Yakima rack system, the BigCatch is an excellent kayak rack. The rack is a full-contact rack, so your boat sits nice and tight.

The BigCatch includes heavy-duty straps, as well as bow and stern tie-downs. The rack is easy to install. You don’t need any tools.  This fits on an SVU or truck with a Yakima rack over the cab or a Yakima pickup truck kayak rack.

If you have a Yakima truck rack, you can load your kayak and still use your truck bed for other gear and accessories.  You can take all your camping gear with your kayak stowed up high.

---

Darby Industries 944 Extend-A-Truck

Features:

• Steel
• No drilling required
• Adjustable
• 350-pound weight limit

Review

The Darby hitch mounted bed extender is an excellent kayak rack for your truck.  The extender mounts to an existing 2” trailer hitch receiver.  It’s adjustable so that you can use it with different size vehicles. You can use it vertically or horizontally to work roof racks or truck beds.

The Darby 944 is made of heavy-duty powder-coated steel, so it’s durable and built to last a long time. It’s easy to install in seconds with a pin and clip. The support is 48″ wide so you can use it for more than one kayak. The bed extender has a 350-pound weight limit as well.

The versatility is excellent.  You can either use this unit as an extension of your truck bed or with a compatible roof rack on a pickup or SUV. The bed extender breaks down for secure storage.

One of the things I like about this unit is you can use this in conjunction with a camper shell. If you use it in the vertical position, you can have your camping gear stowed safely away under your camper shell and have your kayak mounted on top.

---

AA-Racks Model X39 Truck Ladder Rack

Features:

• Powder-coated steel
• Install requires drilling
• Adjustable to fit your truck
• 1000+ pounds weight limit

Review

This truck ladder rack is great for hauling your kayaks.  The best thing about this truck kayak rack is how customizable it is. The pieces allow you to adjust the measurements.  The rack is adjustable to fit your application.

You can haul multiple kayaks with a hefty load capacity and a wide frame. Cleats are mounted to the side of the rack so you can secure your kayaks, canoe, SUP, or whatever you are transporting to the water.

This rack design is excellent because it does not close off your truck bed. Since the kayaks are elevated and out of the way, you can haul a lot of other gear in your truck bed.  You can take camping gear or whatever else you need.

One thing to note is that drilling is required for installation, although AA-Racks does sell C-clamps as an option.  The best thing to do is confirm your vehicle’s proper installation method. Also, things like camper shell, tonneau cover, or truck box may affect installation, as you may not be able to use it.

---

How to Choose a Kayak Rack for Your Truck

Will the Kayak Rack Fit Your Vehicle?

As you read this article, there is a wide variety of truck kayak racks.  Kayak racks come in different styles, shapes, and sizes.  It is essential to make sure the truck kayak rack will fit your vehicle.

Certain accessories or body styles may prevent you from installing specific racks. For instance, a hitch extender would work well if you have a camper shell or tonneau cover, but a frame-mounted rack won’t.

Some racks are incompatible if you have a truck box or side box on your truck. Some kayak racks require drilling into the bed rails on your vehicle.  If you don’t want to drill, look for a model that does not require drilling.

Most manufacturers will have a compatibility tool to be sure the rack is compatible with your vehicle.  I highly recommend you check with the manufacturer before you make a purchase.

Types of Truck Kayak Racks

There are different types of truck kayak racks for various applications or vehicles.

Bed extender – This style fits a standard two-inch hitch receiver.  You can use a hitch-mounted bed extender horizontally or vertically. For this reason, bed extenders are a versatile option.  When used vertically, it can be configured with a roof rack.  In the horizontal position, this extends the length of your truck bed.

Bed rail rack – There are various styles within this category as well.  The general idea is that a bed rail rack attaches to the rail of your truck. 

Some require drilling, and others can be installed with C-clamps. One advantage of a truck bed rack is that the truck bed is still available to carry other gear with you.

The kayak rides on top of the rack, leaving your truck bed open for other things.  You can even use your hitch to pull a trailer, like a travel trailer or utility trailer. This type of rack leaves you with a lot of options.

Roof rack – Of course, we have roof racks too.  Some truck cabs are long enough to accommodate a roof rack.  Some vehicles have a camper shell that will allow you to use a roof rack. You can use a roof rack in conjunction with a bed extender.

Are Kayak Racks for Trucks Safe?

Truck kayak racks are safe if the rack fits your vehicle and is installed properly.  You must ensure your kayaks are tied down securely, and you don’t drive too fast.  These are some common sense points, but a truck kayak rack is safe to use when following these guidelines.

Are Kayak Racks for Trucks Secure?

You are not alone if you are concerned about someone stealing your kayak rack while you are on the water. It’s not unheard of.  Some types of racks are easier to lock down than others.

You can buy a lock for the receiver hitch with a bed extender.  These fit through the bed extender and the hitch receiver.  Many of the bed extenders are easy to break down, and you could even store it in your truck while you are on the water.

A bed rail type of kayak rack is a different story.  If you drill the rack into your bed frame, chances are someone isn’t going to go through the hassle of unbolting the rack.  But, if it’s secured with C-clamps, you may have trouble.

The best thing to do is look for a rack that will allow you to lock the kayak rack to your truck frame.

What Are Truck Kayak Racks Made Of?

As you can see from this article, many kayak racks for trucks are made of aluminum or steel. Both of these materials are excellent for kayak racks.  Aluminum is more lightweight yet strong and durable.  Steel is more substantial, durable, and, well, it’s steel.

Kayak Rack Weight Capacity

Depending on the kayak rack and its use, the weight capacity varies, sometimes considerably.  In the case of the Yakima BigCatch, the saddles are rated for a boat up to 150 pounds.  That’s a heavy kayak.  But some of the other racks, which are more of a utility or ladder rack, can support a lot more weight.

On many of these racks, you can load more than one kayak, or a combination, like kayaks, SUPs, a canoe, etc.  When looking for the best kayak rack for your application, make sure you know how much weight you will be transporting and how much the rack can hold.

Do You Have a Trailer Hitch?

For a bed extender, you will need a trailer hitch.  Now, I bought a vehicle somewhat recently, and it did not have a trailer hitch.  If you don’t have one on your truck, you can have one installed. This is an added expense, though.

With a trailer hitch, you can use a bed extender. With a bed extender, you can use the kayak rack to lengthen your truck’s bed or use the extender vertically to work with a roof rack. A bed extender is the only time you need a trailer hitch, so if you don’t have a hitch (or don’t want to spend the money on one), you can look at other options.

What’s your budget?

As you shop for a kayak truck rack, you will see a lot of different price points. You can spend a lot of money on a truck rack.  Determine your needs, set a budget, and stick to it.

A bed extender is an affordable option if you already have a hitch on your truck. If you want a more versatile rack, your budget may need to increase.

FAQ’s

Are Truck Kayak Racks Stable?

If your rack is the right fit for your vehicle and installed correctly, kayak racks are very stable.

Is Using a Truck Kayak Rack a Good Idea?

Using a kayak rack for your truck is a great way to transport kayaks. Here are a few reasons why I like them.

First, you can install a kayak rack, and you will still have room in your truck bed for other gear. You can haul your kayaks and camping gear with a truck rack. With many models, you can also pull a trailer behind you.  Of course, you can’t pull a trailer using a bed extender.

Second, with a bed extender, you can use the truck bed to hold most of the kayak’s weight.  This also helps when you are loading and unloading since the kayak is closer to the ground.  Bed extenders are versatile because you can use them vertically with a roof rack.

Finally, your rack is attached to your vehicle, so you don’t have to pull a trailer.  Some people don’t mind pulling trailers, but others don’t want the hassle.

How Many Kayaks Can a Truck Rack Hold?

This depends on the capacity of the rack.  You will need to check the weight limit for the kayak and the dimension to ensure it can hold more than one kayak.  In a case like the BigCatch from Yakima, that rack is specially designed for one kayak. Other models of truck kayak racks are universal, and you can load more than one boat.

How to Put Your Kayak on Your Truck Rack

Okay, so you bought a kayak rack for your truck, and now you have to lift the kayak onto the rack.  Some truck bed racks are adjustable in height, making loading and unload your kayak easier.  In some cases, though, you can’t adjust the height, and you need to be able to load the kayaks up high. This is the case with a roof rack too.

If you are not up for lifting your kayak overhead, you may want to look at a bed extender. This is lower to the ground, and you can slide the kayak in place a lot easier.

Is Drilling Required?

In some cases, yes, drilling is required. Kayak racks that attach to the bed rails sometimes need to be drilled.  In other cases, no drilling is required, and you can attach the rack with C-clamps. Be sure to check the installation guidelines before you buy your rack.

Wrapping Up

There are a lot of options when it comes to finding a kayak rack for your truck. The final decision depends on how you want to use the rack.  I like the truck racks with adjustable height like the Thule Xsporter because of their versatility.

Truck racks are great because you can still use your trailer hitch for other things. This leaves your truck bed open to carry additional gear.  You get the kayaks up and out of the way to take your camping gear or other stuff.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Featured image source: Deposit Photos