jarrodmo wrote:
I just bought a PA12. I've been reading and watching a ton of youtube videos about the pro anglers and it seems like everyone that loads them in a truck uses a bed extender. Is this necessary or just a precuation due to the weight of the pro angler? I will be loading it into a 6.5' bed on a Toyota Tundra. I've had a Hobie Revo 13 and an Ocean Kayak Trident 13 in that truck bed with no extender before. Obviously this boat is a bit more expensive so I don't want to take the same chances. Just curious what the majority feel about this. Thanks guys.
Until I got the trailer, I secured the PA14 by loading it bow first into the bed of my "short bed" F-150 SuperCrew. For the short trips down the street to one of the 2 boat ramps in my subdivision, I did not use a bed extender. I would run a ratchet type tie-down strap from the rear tie-down hooks through the side rails. I did not run any type of strap through the bow handle or use the tie-downs at the front of the bed.
Never had an issue. For trips outside the subdivision, I used the bed extender (T-bar) for added piece of mind and just used one of those heavy rubber straps with the "S" hooks on either end across the rear cargo area to just keep it from moving off the T-bar if I hit a bump.
The primary reason for loading bow first is so that the stern rest on those 2 scuff pads by the drains on the PA. Hope this helps answer your concerns.