How Do You Secure a Kayak in a Truck Bed With Tailgate Up?

When you’re a kayaker, it’s important to know how to secure your kayak in a truck bed with the tailgate up. Without proper securement, your kayak can become damaged or fly out of the truck bed altogether, leading to a dangerous situation for you and other drivers on the road.

Fortunately, there are several methods for securing your kayak so it stays safe while you travel.

One of the most popular methods is a ratchet strap system. When using this system, you’ll need two ratchet straps that are at least as long as the width of the truck bed.

Start by looping one of the straps around the nose (front) of your kayak and threading it through the ratchet mechanism. Then attach one end of the strap to an anchor point in the truck bed and pull tight with the ratchet mechanism until it is snug against your kayak. Repeat this process with the second strap at a different anchor point on the opposite side of truck bed.

You can also use tie-down bungees or cam straps as an alternate method for securing your kayak in place. To do this, loop one end of each strap through an anchor point in the truck bed then wrap them around your kayak and fasten them together at both ends with their hooks or clips. Adjust these straps until they are snug against your kayak and double check that they are securely fastened before continuing.

Using Wheel Chocks

Wheel chocks are another great way to secure a kayak in a truck bed when tailgate is up. To use wheel chocks, place them on either side of your kayak so they fit securely between it and the sides of your truck bed.

This will help prevent any side-to-side movement while you travel.

Conclusion

Securing a kayak in a truck bed with tailgate up can be done quickly and easily using ratchet straps, tie-down bungees, cam straps or wheel chocks. All methods should be tested for security before hitting the road to ensure that everything is properly secured and won’t shift during travel.

Photo of author

Karen Watkins