Truck Kayak Rack
Kayak Rack for Truck: Bed Mounts, Hitch Carriers & Roof Rack Kayak Systems
A kayak rack for truck use is a mount, carrier, or rack system that secures your kayak to a pickup for the drive to the water without damaging the hull or sliding around at highway speeds. We carry kayak racks for trucks across three install styles: bed rack mount kits from BillieBars (the classic truck bed kayak rack setup if you already have a bed rack), a hitch-mounted kayak carrier for truck use from Kuat (the easiest install with no bed rack required), and a roof rack kayak/canoe carrier from Front Runner (the pick for owners running a roof rack platform). Prices start at $160 for the BillieBars LowPro Kayak Mount Kit and run up to $550 for the BillieBars HighPro depending on bed height. Every option on this page is engineered to lock your kayak down securely at highway speeds while protecting the hull from pressure damage. Call us at 844-200-3979 to talk through which install style fits your truck and how you load gear.
Featured Kayak Racks for Trucks
BillieBars LowPro Kayak Mount Kit
Price: $160.00
Type: Bed rack kayak mount kit | Fits: BillieBars bed rack & most universal truck bed racks
Build: Low-profile mount, padded supports, tie-down hardware included
The most affordable kayak rack truck bed solution we carry. This LowPro mount kit bolts to your existing BillieBars bed rack (or any compatible universal bed rack) and creates a stable, padded cradle for hauling a kayak in the bed of your truck. Low-profile design keeps the kayak sitting close to the bed rack for the best aerodynamics and clearance. Includes all mounting hardware and tie-down straps. The right pick if you already own a bed rack and just need the mount kit.
Kuat Class 2 Kayak Rack
Price: $198.00
Type: Hitch-mounted kayak carrier | Fits: Class 2 (1.25") hitch receivers
Build: Steel construction, padded saddles, no roof or bed rack required
A hitch-mounted truck kayak rack that solves the biggest barrier to entry: it doesn't need a bed rack, roof rack, or any other foundation. Just slide it into a Class 2 hitch receiver and you have a real kayak carrier in under 5 minutes. Padded saddles protect the hull, the steel build handles the kind of dynamic loads kayak carriers see at highway speeds, and the carrier removes easily when you don't need it. The fastest path to a working truck kayak carrier if you're starting from a stock truck.
Front Runner Kayak & Pro Canoe Carrier
Price: $499.00
Type: Roof rack kayak carrier | Fits: Front Runner Slimline II & T-slot platforms
Build: Padded supports, ratchet strap system, kayak/canoe dual-purpose
The premium roof rack kayak carrier from Front Runner, engineered to handle both kayaks and the longer, wider canoes most carriers can't accommodate. Padded supports protect the hull, the ratchet strap system locks the load down at highway speeds, and the carrier mounts cleanly to any Front Runner Slimline II or compatible T-slot platform. The pick for truck owners running a roof-rack-equipped canopy or topper.
BillieBars HighPro Kayak Mount Kit
Price: From $525.00 - $550.00
Type: Elevated bed rack kayak mount kit | Fits: BillieBars bed rack systems (height-dependent)
Build: Elevated mount profile, padded supports, tie-down hardware
The HighPro is BillieBars' elevated mount kit, designed for truck owners who want the kayak sitting higher above the bed rack to allow for additional cargo underneath (a cooler, fishing gear, camp setup, recovery gear). Height-dependent pricing reflects the different lift options. Bolt-on installation to existing BillieBars bed rack or compatible universal bed racks. The pick for owners who use their truck bed for more than just the kayak.
Kayak Racks for Trucks Compared
| Product | Install Style | Needs Bed/Roof Rack? | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BillieBars LowPro Mount | Bed rack mount kit | Yes (existing bed rack) | Owners with a bed rack, single kayak | $160.00 |
| Kuat Class 2 Kayak Rack | Hitch-mounted carrier | No (just needs 1.25" hitch) | Stock trucks, fastest entry point | $198.00 |
| Front Runner Kayak/Canoe | Roof rack carrier | Yes (T-slot roof platform) | Roof-rack builds, kayak + canoe owners | $499.00 |
| BillieBars HighPro Mount | Elevated bed rack mount | Yes (existing bed rack) | Kayak + bed cargo, multi-use builds | $525.00 - $550.00 |
Three Ways to Mount a Kayak on a Truck
Before you buy any kayak rack for truck use, the first decision is which install path makes sense for your specific truck and how you actually use the bed. Three approaches exist, and the right choice depends on what's already on your rig.
Bed rack + kayak mount kit is the most popular path for serious truck owners and overlanders. You install a universal truck bed rack across the bed rails (the rack itself is a separate purchase), then bolt a kayak mount kit like the BillieBars LowPro or HighPro onto the rack to create a padded cradle for the kayak. This is the classic truck bed kayak rack approach. The advantage is that the bed rack also serves dozens of other purposes (rooftop tent platform, recovery board mount, fuel can mount, awning mount, light bar mount), so the kayak mount is just one of many uses. The trade-off is the higher up-front cost since you need both the rack and the mount kit.
Hitch-mounted kayak carrier for truck use like the Kuat Class 2 is the simplest path for stock trucks. The carrier slides into your hitch receiver and gives you a working kayak rack in under 5 minutes with no other modifications. The advantage is speed and simplicity; the trade-offs are that it blocks tailgate access while loaded, reduces departure angle if you go off-road, and only carries the kayak (no multi-purpose use). Best for daily-driver trucks where the kayak is the only thing you'd haul like this.
Roof rack kayak carrier like the Front Runner Kayak & Pro Canoe is the right choice if you're running a roof rack platform on a canopy, truck cap, or RSI SmartCap. This style serves as both a kayak mount for truck cap setups and a general roof-mounted kayak rack for car/SUV use when you change vehicles. The carrier mounts to T-slot tracks on the platform and lifts the kayak high above the truck bed entirely, leaving the bed fully available for camping gear, recovery equipment, or anything else. The trade-off is the lift; loading a kayak onto a truck cap roof is a two-person job for most setups.
The bed rack question: If you don't already have a truck bed rack and you're planning to buy one specifically for the kayak, consider whether you'll actually use the rack for anything else. If the answer is "yes, I'll also mount a rooftop tent or fuel cans or recovery boards on it eventually," the bed rack plus mount kit path is the right long-term investment. If the answer is "no, I just want to carry a kayak," the Kuat hitch carrier is the smarter spend. Either way, picking the right kayak rack for truck owners comes down to how you use the bed, not just the kayak.
Truck Bed Racks That Work With BillieBars Kayak Mount Kits
The BillieBars LowPro and HighPro kayak mount kits bolt onto a truck bed rack, which is a separate product. If you don't already own a bed rack, the most popular options that pair well with these mount kits are the Thule TracRac TracONE pickup truck bed rack for owners who want a proven universal aluminum system, the Leitner Designs Forged Active Cargo System for Chevy/GMC owners who want a premium engineered build with serious load ratings, and the RCI 18" HD Universal Bed Rack for owners on a tighter budget who still want heavy-duty steel construction. Browse the full bed rack catalog at offroadtents.com/collections/bed-racks.
Sizing and Capacity: Kayak Length, Weight, and Highway Speeds
Most touring kayaks run 10-14 feet long and weigh 35-75 lbs dry. Tandems and fishing kayaks can hit 13-16 feet and 80-100 lbs. Every kayak rack for truck application on this page handles single kayaks in the 10-14 ft range comfortably; longer and heavier kayaks need careful spec verification before ordering.
Bed-mounted kayak racks (BillieBars LowPro and HighPro) work best for kayaks up to about 14 feet. A bed-mounted kayak bed rack setup positions the kayak slightly forward of the cab, which keeps the rear overhang manageable for most state cargo laws. Longer kayaks will overhang the front of the bed significantly, which requires a red flag and may violate state cargo overhang regulations. For a 16-foot tandem, plan on either the roof rack carrier or check your state's overhang regulations carefully.
Hitch-mounted carriers like the Kuat Class 2 work well for kayaks up to about 12 feet because the carrier hangs the kayak directly behind the truck without bed support. Beyond 12 feet, the kayak tail risks dragging in turns and the load creates significant rear-axle weight.
Roof-mounted carriers like the Front Runner Kayak & Pro Canoe handle the longest loads (up to 17 feet) because the kayak rests across the full length of the truck cap or canopy roof, with support at the front and rear of the rack.
Vehicle Fitment Notes
The BillieBars LowPro and HighPro are designed primarily for use with BillieBars bed rack systems and work especially well on Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, and similar mid-size to full-size trucks. They can mount to other universal bed racks with compatible T-slot or bolt-through configurations; if you have a non-BillieBars bed rack, call us before ordering to confirm compatibility.
The Kuat Class 2 Kayak Rack works with any truck that has a 1.25" (Class 2) hitch receiver, which covers almost every modern half-ton pickup including Ford F150, Chevy Silverado 1500, RAM 1500, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Frontier, Jeep Gladiator, and Honda Ridgeline. Some trucks ship with Class 3 (2") receivers; you'll need an adapter to use the Class 2 carrier or step up to a Class 3 kayak hitch carrier.
The Front Runner Kayak & Pro Canoe Carrier fits any Front Runner Slimline II platform plus most other T-slot platform racks (Prinsu, Rhino-Rack Pioneer, CBI). If you're running an RSI SmartCap, Alu-Cab Contour, or any modern canopy with T-slot rails, this carrier installs cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bed rack to use a kayak mount kit?
The BillieBars LowPro and HighPro kayak mount kits both require a truck bed rack as the foundation. If you don't already have a bed rack, you'll need to purchase one separately. Popular pairings include the Thule TracRac TracONE, Leitner Designs Forged Active, and RCI HD Universal bed rack. If you want a kayak rack without buying a bed rack, the Kuat Class 2 hitch carrier or the Front Runner roof rack carrier are the no-bed-rack options on this page.
Bed rack, hitch, or roof: which kayak rack for truck is best?
Bed rack + kayak mount kit is best for serious overlanders and truck owners who'll use the bed rack for multiple purposes (rooftop tent, recovery boards, fuel cans). Hitch-mounted carriers like the Kuat are best for stock trucks where the kayak is the only thing you'd haul. Roof rack carriers are best for owners running a canopy or truck cap with a T-slot platform. Pick by what's already on your rig and what you'll mount in the future.
How long of a kayak can I carry on a truck?
Bed-mounted setups (BillieBars) handle kayaks up to about 14 feet comfortably. Hitch-mounted carriers (Kuat) work for kayaks up to about 12 feet. Roof-mounted carriers (Front Runner) handle the longest loads up to 17 feet because the kayak rests across the full length of the truck cap or canopy roof. Most states require a red flag and warning on any cargo overhang past 4 feet beyond the rear bumper; check your specific state laws before hauling long kayaks.
Will a kayak rack damage my truck or the kayak?
Not if you pick a quality carrier and strap the kayak correctly. Every truck kayak rack on this page uses padded supports specifically designed to prevent hull pressure damage. The most common kayak damage comes from over-tightened straps creating pressure points on plastic hulls, not from the rack itself. Tighten straps firmly but not crank-tight, and check the load every 30-50 miles on long drives.
Can I install a truck kayak rack myself?
Yes for every option on this page. The Kuat Class 2 hitch carrier installs in 5 minutes with no tools. BillieBars LowPro and HighPro mount kits bolt to your existing bed rack in 30-60 minutes with basic hand tools. The Front Runner Kayak Carrier mounts to your roof rack T-slot in about 45 minutes. Use thread-locking compound on every hardware bolt and re-torque after the first 500 miles of driving.
Related
Truck Bed Rack Collection
The foundation for the BillieBars kayak mount kits. Browse the complete bed rack catalog including Thule, Leitner, RCI, and more.
Truck Bed Bars Collection
Lower-profile bed bars that also work as a foundation for kayak mount kits and other cargo accessories.
Truck Canopy Roof Racks
Roof racks for truck caps and canopies that pair with the Front Runner Kayak Carrier.
Roof Rack Cross Bars
Standalone crossbars for vehicles with factory rails, another foundation option for roof-mounted kayak carriers.
Need Help Picking the Right Kayak Rack?
Tell us your truck, your kayak length, and whether you already have a bed rack or roof rack. We will match you with the right setup.
