7 Best Kayak Racks for Ford F150
Kayakin’ is an awesome way to soak up the great outdoors and get a good workout in. Once you’ve got your kayak, the next step’s haulin’ it to and from the water. There’s a bunch of ways to transport a kayak, but if you’re rollin’ in a Ford F150, this guide’s gonna steer you right towards the best kayak racks for your F150.
Methods of Carrying your Kayak on Ford F150
There’s two main ways to haul your kayak on your truck, and you can pick whichever suits you best. Each method’s got its own perks and downsides. Here’s a quick rundown of both—take your pick, partner.
Truck Bed Racks
If you’re lookin’ for a more permanent fix to haul your kayaks, this here’s your best bet. These days, you got some solid options if you want your truck bed racks to be removable or fixed. Plus, truck bed racks ain’t just for kayaks—they’re handy for totin’ ladders, long pipes, or lumber too.
Truck Hitch Rack
If you’re haulin’ a kayak that’s longer than your truck bed, the hitch-mounted rack’s got your back. It gives you the extra stability you need when that kayak hangs off the back. Just don’t forget to slap on that red flag that comes with it for safety. Now, if you’ve got a tonneau cover on your rig and your kayak fits under it, this setup’s gonna be just what you’re lookin’ for.
Best Bed Racks for Ford F150
The AA-Racks Model APX25 is built from lightweight, rust-free aluminum, so it’s tough without weighing you down. It can haul up to 800 lbs of cargo while being under 43 lbs when most steel racks weigh about 50 to 60 lbs.
You won’t need to drill any holes with this one—it comes with eight heavy-duty universal mounting clamps to secure the vertical brackets. The whole thing’s powder-coated, so it’s better at fightin’ off rust and corrosion than most others.
Installation’s a cinch, and they’ve even included some photo instructions in the manual. Plus, it’s removable, so you can take it off during the off-season.
The downside? It’s gonna cost you about twice as much as a steel rack, and it won’t work with a utility track system.
But if you’re after somethin’ simple and practical, this bed rack’s a solid choice. It’s perfect for haulin’ kayaks, lumber, plywood sheets, ladders, and other construction materials. It attaches easily to pickups with short beds, long beds, or crew cabs, so you’re covered no matter your rig.
The TMS Adjustable Kayak Truck Rack is a budget-friendly option made from tough alloy steel that can handle your kayak just fine. It’s pretty easy to install, and at just 50 lbs, it won’t weigh you down, but it’s still strong enough to carry up to 800 pounds.
You can adjust it to fit any bed width between five and seven feet with a simple bolt. And if you’re not lookin’ for a permanent setup, you can just clamp the rack to your truck.
Sure, there are fancier racks out there, but for the price, this one’s the best kayak rack you’ll find.
The MaxxHaul 70423 is similar to the APX25 in design but comes at a more wallet-friendly price with half the carrying capacity. It’s made from aluminum, so it’s rust-free and lightweight, tipping the scales at 55 lbs but with a weight limit of just 400 lbs, like I mentioned earlier.
Most kayaks or canoes weigh less than 200 lbs, so that lower capacity ain’t much of a problem if you’re haulin’ two kayaks. But if you’re lookin’ to carry heavier stuff, it might come up short. The verticals on this rack have bumpers that keep your load steady.
The best part? You can slap this rack on or take it off in about 10 minutes. So if you’re after a quick-install rack, this one’s a solid pick.
The AA-X35 is top-tier because it comes with four pre-installed J-racks that keep your boats in a semi-upright position instead of just layin’ ‘em over the crossbars. These J-racks give you extra attachment points and keep your kayak from slidin’ around.
The X35 also includes eight C-clamps, so you don’t need to drill into your truck bed. Now, these clamps ain’t quite as secure as bolts, but they’re perfect if you want something you can take off in the off-season.
This rack’s a beast, capable of carryin’ up to 2200 lbs, which is more than most other racks out there. It also comes with four ratchet straps and four bow/stern tie-downs to keep everything locked down tight. These extra features help justify the X35’s price, which lines up pretty well with other aluminum racks.
Best Hitch Racks or Extenders for Ford F150
The MaxxHaul 70231 is the gold standard when it comes to truck hitch racks. It stretches out between 24 and 49 inches, plenty long enough for any kayak, and it can handle up to 300 lbs, which is pretty impressive for a hitch rack.
This rack’s got a lot of great features. For starters, it’s a breeze to put together or take apart thanks to the quick-release pins. Another neat feature is that it can fold down to create a work area, makin’ it real handy. And at just 32 lbs, it’s nice and light.
Hitch racks are usually on the cheaper side, and the MaxxHaul 70231 delivers great bang for your buck with its user-friendly features.
The Darby Industries 944 is pretty middle-of-the-road compared to other truck bed extenders. It’s got a 350 lbs carrying capacity and can extend 53 inches from the hitch, but one drawback is it’s not fully adjustable.
What makes this rack stand out, though, is its versatility—it can also be used for rooftop hauling if you’ve got a crossbar setup up top. It’s a top pick if your truck has a tonneau cover since it doesn’t mess with the bed when you’re using it on the roof, and you can still roll back the cover when you’re haulin’ your kayak in the bed.
Another handy feature is its simple design, made from just three pieces: a crossbar, a horizontal bar extending from the hitch, and a vertical bar. You can break it down and stash it behind your seat in the cab. At just 25 lbs, it’s a lightweight and super portable kayak carrier for your truck.
This extender from ECOTRIC can hold its own against the MaxxHaul 70231, thanks to its solid features. It’s got an adjustable width ranging from 28 to 48 inches and an adjustable height between 12 and 19 inches. Plus, it can handle up to 750 lbs, which is more than double the capacity of the MaxxHaul.
Just like the MaxxHaul, this ECOTRIC hitch rack is easy to put together and take apart with its four quick-release clevis pins. It’s also lightweight, coming in at just 27.5 lbs, which is pretty light compared to others. And it comes with reflective tape and a flag for added safety.
The only downside is that it doesn’t fold down like some other racks. But with its adjustable design and easy installation, the price tag makes it a solid choice.
Visit our kayak rack section for more car-specific rack guides.