transport multiple yaks

I have a longbed F350 with a campershell. The shell is level with the crewcab. I put 2x4s across the bed and put plywood over the 2x4s. I can fit my Search 15 and T130 on the bed floor and all my camping gear on the upper level on the plywood. I can also sleep on the plywood level and keep the yaks and gear locked up in the truck bed so my stuff doesn't get stolen.

The problem is that I need a third yak for my son and I would probably need to put it on top of the campershell. Sounds simple enough except that I garage my truck and it has about an inch of clearance under the garage door. Is there a carrying system that goes on and comes off quickly/easily? Do the foam blocks and straps work? I don't have room for a trailer so I may have to consider getting a trailer and keeping it somewhere else (not preffered).

My guess is you're right; foam blocks or pool noodles and simple straps.   Sounds much easier than a trailer that has to be stored elsewhere.

amphibian,

The foam blocks work fine.  I car topped an 18‘ canoe with them for a while.  You can also use the cushions that most kayak retail outfits sell.  I used these for two 13” kayaks for a while (I had to get a trailer when I got up to 6 kayaks).  It consists of a noodle with a nylon cover with  straps running through the middle of the tube, one to attach to your kayak and the other to strap down to your roof.  That way, the cushion stays with the kayak as you move it off the roof.  Make sure you tie the kayak down to your bumpers, front and back, if you use the block or cushion method as the two straps aren’t enough to keep it from lifting off the roof.

If you try the other methods and end up wanting a trailer, you might consider the SportsRig. It's not cheap by any standard, but in addition to a lot of other nice features, has a folding tongue and can be stored standing up in a lot less space than it takes normally. Whether the folding tongue will be much good to you would depend on whether you needed an extension tongue - that can quickly defeat the folding feature.

I transported my kayak on top of my pickup for awhile and it's doable, but not ideal.  You'll want to have a line on each end, in addition to straps.

Pool noodle is what I used for cushion, but note two things: 1) If any sand gets on the pool noodle it will scratch the heck out of your paint, and 2) don't leave any extra noodle sticking out because it will flapflapflapflap on the roof inches from your skull at freeway speeds.

There's a Thule rack I bought that goes in my receiver hitch that supports the back end of the kayak...  They go $100 or so.  Should save some wear and tear on your shell.

Hi Kayer

 I use two RiverSide tie downs with foam block on my Ford Ranger and Windstar Van. They work fine for the short term. I have hauled
up to a 15' Prowler from Sunnyvale to Santa Cruz at 65 M.P.H. except on Hwy 17.
 The down side is you shoud make sure to lock you Yak in some fashon.
 
                                                                         Ernie
http://www.rei.com/product/672429
(Straps)
http://www.rei.com/product/672423
Foam Blocks.