Lights for transporting yak in truck bed

[Dave k]

I've got the crew cab long bed. 6'ish bed with a 140" wheelbase. Based on that info I'll be in violation. Might have to go the Thule truck bed rack route...

Thanks for the heads up on that. Any other input?

[Sdspeed]

Originally Posted by Dave k

I've got the crew cab long bed. 6'ish bed with a 140" wheelbase. Based on that info I'll be in violation. Might have to go the Thule truck bed rack route...

Thanks for the heads up on that. Any other input?

the crazy part is everyday kayaks are getting moved that way for years and yet no-one seems to get bothered especially when it's obviously they/your doing it right with the extender,lights,flags, securing it etc. But only 1 ticket will ruin your day

[StinkyMatt]

Almost four years of running it in the bed with extender...way over my limit...I think...no lights just a flag.....


No one ever says a thing.


Been pulled over (unrelated) and not a word.

[45user]

I have ford supercrew which has a short. I transport trident 15 with bed extender. I use flag am during day time and use harbor freight magnetic tow lights on the bed extender during low light
No trouble and no hassle yet last 2 years. Kayak extends out quite a bit
45

[Dannowar]

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Almost four years of running it in the bed with extender...way over my limit...I think...no lights just a flag.....


No one ever says a thing.


Been pulled over (unrelated) and not a word.

Yep. Never even been looked at funny. Flag only.

[Sdspeed]

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Yep. Never even been looked at funny. Flag only.

That's what Im talking about, did I piss off A Sheriff? Seems that more truck owners move their kayaks this way than don't. Anybody think law enforcement is stepping up enforcement of these issues that can create revenue?

If its secure and flagged,lite up etc. i really think the kayak's gonna get messed up if someone is on the phone and hits it at a light or stop sign.

And then what happens, even when something minor happens and the cops show up?

[Mongo Johnson]

Humbly offered:

I've had a couple yaks in my bed with flags with no trouble for the last 2 years. But I've heard of night tickets and expect I'll get a set of lights soon. I've got the trailer plug on the truck.

I suppose it's better to not tempt CVC fate on an otherwise fun trip to/from the sea . . . and considering distracted drivers too . . . and in a bender, not having lights might be a liability issue.

But, I've not seen the need for a bed extender. The 13' Revo sits stable in the bed/tailgate with a bow line and 2nd line run through the rear scuppers. I don't over cinch the cam locks. I use 3" pool noodles under the boats so the rough Line-X bed liner doesn't scuff up the hulls. Seems to keep everything snugged and not slipping but not over stressed. (I might add a third line across the boats/tailgate on a long trip.)

California V C Section 24604 Lamp or Flag on Projections
Lamp or Flag on Projections

24604. Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends, or whenever any integral part of any vehicle projects, to the rear four feet or more beyond the rear of the vehicle, as measured from the taillamps, there shall be displayed at the extreme end of the load or projecting part of the vehicle during darkness, in addition to the required taillamp, two red lights with a bulb rated not in excess of six candlepower plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear.

At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme end of the load or projecting part of the vehicle a solid red or fluorescent orange flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square.

Amended Sec. 18, Ch. 828, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999.
Amended Sec. 28, Ch. 1035, Stats. 2000. Effective January 1, 2001.

V C Section 35410 Projections to the Rear

Projections to the Rear

35410. The load upon any motor vehicle alone or an independent load only upon a trailer or semitrailer shall not extend to the rear beyond the last point of support for a greater distance than that equal to two-thirds of the length of the wheelbase of the vehicle carrying such load, except that the wheelbase of a semitrailer shall be considered as the distance between the rearmost axle of the towing vehicle and the rearmost axle of the semitrailer.

Rough calculations for an 2005 F250 crew cab wheelbase 156.2” = 13.2’

2/3 of 156.2” = 102.96” = 8’ 5” is the rough distance I can extend a projection (yak tail)
(156 X .66 = 102’)

Revo is 13’ 5”= 161”

Bed length 6’ 9” . . . bumper . . .

Roughly, 6 feet of yak is sticking out, so I suppose I'm OK with flag/lights rigged.

[Mongo Johnson]

I'd welcome and links to a decent, durable light kit that I can put on the yak projection.