Kayak/Canoe Carrier for Use on Hard Hatch-Style Tonneau Cover on 2007 Dodge Ram 1500  

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Expert Reply:

We do not offer any kayak carriers intended specifically for mounting on a hard tonneau cover but we do offer foam-block type kayak carriers that could simply rest on top of it and work well for you.
These are intended for transporting kayaks on a vehicle with a bare roof.

The linked page displays all such foam kayak carriers. These offer the advantages of low cost, very light weight and simple installation. They also require no drilling or modification to your hatch-style tonneau cover and allow your truck to return to its normal appearance when you're not transporting the kayak.

Yakima offers kit # Y04069 which allows you to carry 1 kayak (or canoe) upside down by gripping it at its gunwales. Malone also offers the carrier # MPG152 that can carry kayaks in a right-side-up position; please see the linked video. All foam block kits include tie-down straps to secure your 44-lb kayak. Please note your application on a tonneau cover may require you to get creative to find good tie-down points.

You will want to confirm with the maker of your cover that it can handle this weight load. Also, since the kayak may extend back beyond the truck bed you may want to check into local laws regarding requirements for flagging oversized cargo loads.

If this method does not appeal to you then you might prefer a hitch-mounted load support bar and roof rack combination like the Darby Extend-A-Truck Kayak Carrier # DTA944-968-924. This product combines a hitch-mounted T-support with foam block with a single roof rack bar. This option costs more than a foam carrier but it still does allow you to completely remove the carrier and keep the truck's normal appearance when you're not hauling the kayak/canoe. You can also use this item for other applications, such as hauling lumber.

This Darby kit does not include the tie-down straps to secure the boat so you'll need items like # EM34415 from Erickson.

expert reply by: Adam R

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