Roof Rack to carry kayaks

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surgtech56

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Hello everyone, just got a new 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 ST Express Crew Cab in Deep Cherry Red Pearl. Never had a full sized truck before, been driving Jeeps for the past 12 years. We plan on towing a 23 ft Ameri-Lite Travel Trailer with it(it has trailer tow/trailer brakes/class iv hitch). I'm wondering if anyone has a roof rack for the cab or can recommend one, we have a couple of kayaks to carry. Thank you
 

Mad Cow

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Yakama makes some good racks and they have the Kayak carriers that you can attach to it.
 

cwakefld

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Yakima makes good stuff. I have three 10 ft boats I usually just haul to the river in the bed with a strap over them, no problem. I also tow a pop up camper, and for that I made a permanent rack mounted on top of the camper. I also have a simple ladder rack, that with a little. It of welding I made into a great kayak rack. The camper and ladder rack are in storage for the winter. I will get some pics when I get them out. I love Yakima but damn, they are so pricey.


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Stroked

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^Like these guys said, Yakima is the brand I've always heard to be the best.

I've been wondering what one of these newer Rams would look like with a roof rack. Seen several crewcab Silverados with them, but idk, seems like it might look weird on a Ram. It'd definitely be handy with the short bed.

If you do get one, post up pics for the rest of us.
 
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quietpeen

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welcome to rf
 

cwakefld

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^Like these guys said, Yakima is the brand I've always heard to be the best.

I've been wondering what one of these newer Rams would look like with a roof rack. Seen several crewcab Silverados with them, but idk, seems like it might look weird on a Ram. It'd definitely be handy with the short bed.

If you do get one, post up pics for the rest of us.

I only use my rack if I am towing something. Depending on how long your boats are they should fit in the bed pretty well. I have a QCSB and I carry three 10 foot boats all the time. And that is with a tool box in the front of the bed. I just throw a strap over all of them and it holds just fine. Getting the boats up and down from the rack blows, so I only do it if I have to.


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surgtech56

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cwakfid, do you have a photo of how your securing hem to the truck? So the boats are hanging over the cab? Our boats are 11 & 12 ft. I was thinking about a rack for the cab, raise the boats onto the rack from the bed of the truck.
Thanks for the suggestions.
 

cwakefld

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cwakfid, do you have a photo of how your securing hem to the truck? So the boats are hanging over the cab? Our boats are 11 & 12 ft. I was thinking about a rack for the cab, raise the boats onto the rack from the bed of the truck.
Thanks for the suggestions.


I don't have a photo now. I will get some when I get them out of storage. My rack is just an old ladder rack I picked up on Craigslist for $50. I then welded posts going straight up out of 1 1/2 tubing. To give me something to fasten the boats to. They don't go over the cab much. But with a 12 ft boat it would stick out a little farther over the cab. When your not towing anything you can just put the tailgate down and strap them down. I have gone many miles like that. Won't work towing though.


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Waterdawg

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I don't have a photo now. I will get some when I get them out of storage. My rack is just an old ladder rack I picked up on Craigslist for $50. I then welded posts going straight up out of 1 1/2 tubing. To give me something to fasten the boats to. They don't go over the cab much. But with a 12 ft boat it would stick out a little farther over the cab. When your not towing anything you can just put the tailgate down and strap them down. I have gone many miles like that. Won't work towing though.


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Old thread, but I'm in the same 'boat' LOL


Anyone have pictures of a Roof Rack on a Ram?

I've got a 14' kayak I need to mount up.
 
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