Length of Truck Beds?

[JT26]

As most of you know, im looking for a small boat.
I have found one i can afford, but i think it may be to long to fit on my dads truck.

He has a fullsize bed, does anyone know how long that is?

[gpc]

In my old truck it had an extended bed wich I belive was 8ft and in my truck now I have a standard bed and it 7, I believe. But I can still fit a 10.5 foot boat in the back.

[JT26]

Do you fit your boat with it tilted onto the top of the cab?

[fishingmachine]

JT my boat is a 7.5 foot boat so i would guess you could fit your boat in the back.

[gpc]

No, I just open my tailgate and lay the boat so it sticks out the back of tha tailgate. Then if I go camping I just load all my stuff in the boat. The bad thing is, I do have an extended cab on my truck, but I have to lift up the back seat to store the rest of the stuff for camping. Wich means I can only ride me and 1 other person in my truck

[kuttkilla]

JT my boat is a 7.5 foot boat so i would guess you could fit your boat in the back.

It would fit...I run a truck with a bed of about 9 feet...fits my boat great...

[JT26]

Thanks guys. the person i may get it from is a woman who proboly doesnt know much about it. she says its around 10 ft but i dont know for sure.
if it is to big for to truck, are there laws for how its strapped down if the gate is open or it leans on the cab?

[gpc]

There probably is. But I dont know of any. Just use 2 ratcheting wenches to secure your boat. Then take one of those bright orange life jackets and use it as a flag. You know, for when something sticks out of your truck. I havent been pulled over yet.

[kzoo]

There probably is. But I dont know of any. Just use 2 ratcheting wenches to secure your boat. Then take one of those bright orange life jackets and use it as a flag. You know, for when something sticks out of your truck. I havent been pulled over yet.

I don't think there's a rule of how you tie down anything, but you need to tie it down with something. There is a law made due to some poor lady died several years ago on the freeway near Renton who was driving and something fell out of a persons truck and collided with her in windshield, and she died. Sounds like a bad movie.

I've been doing the samething as gpc for a number of years. Tailgate down and ratchet the boat/canoe down, and put a flourescent orange/pink at the end of the boat while driving. No ones bothered me either.

[Gringo Pescador]

I have a Dakota, 8' bed with the tailgate down. I have a 10' canoe. I toss it in there, sinch it in/down with motorcycle tiedowns, tie a red t-shirt on the back of it and never had a problem. You should be fine, but definately pick up a set of tiedowns. Something I these (though I have seen them cheaper)...
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

It is probably over the top - but I use 3 of these, two from the back of the canoe to the bed (holding it in), then one over the top from one side of the truck bed to the other (holding it down). Takes all of 30 seconds to strap it in and go.

[lskiles]

If anything falls from your load you can get ticketed. I used to be a trucking manager for a manufactured housing company and our drivers would get tickets for loose shingles and insulation and such. I believe the law states you can overhang your vehicle 48” without a flag, but even with a flag you can only go 60”…I looked at the WSP website and did not find the rule, but I would put a red flag on it anyway and call the sheriff’s office to find out how far you can overhang.

Good luck on getting your boat!!

[fishing collector]

I just got a 12' Sears aluminium and I have a Chev fleetside short bed and it is only 6' long and 4' between wheelwells. I put my tailgate down and the boat fits in there quite nice. Dangles out the back but it doesn't go any where. Your boat will fit just right.... If you can put a sheet of plywood in there your boat will fit great..... For the price of the boat I would make it fit!! :-) Good luck.... Knockem' Dead or let em go!!..Steve

[gpc]

If anything falls from your load you can get ticketed. I used to be a trucking manager for a manufactured housing company and our drivers would get tickets for loose shingles and insulation and such. I believe the law states you can overhang your vehicle 48” without a flag, but even with a flag you can only go 60”…I looked at the WSP website and did not find the rule, but I would put a red flag on it anyway and call the sheriff’s office to find out how far you can overhang.

Good luck on getting your boat!!

I heard that if something falls out the back of your truck, and some gets in an accident and dies, you can get charged with man slaughter.

[clam man]

Fishing Collector: STRAP THAT BOAT DOWN!!!

the manslaughter charge is legit. U-HAUL just had to pay out a fortune because something fell out of one of their rented trucks and hit a chick driving under the influence. They still had to pay, even though it was the renters/ dui lady's fault. my 2 cents.


Clam Man

[Gringo Pescador]

Definately strap em down, it is easy to do, only takes seconds, and it could save you a lot of heartache and $$.

You would be surprised at what a gust of wind in the right direction can pick up. I was crossing the I-90 bridge one gusty afternoon and a saw a bed liner take flight out of a full sized pickup - this thing flipped as it came out of the truck, then lifted about 30' in the air before sailing off into the lake. The guy in the pickup never even slowed down - I think it happened so fast he probably didn't even know it. I was just glad I was far enough back to watch it in front of me and not above me!

[fishing collector]

Fishing Collector: STRAP THAT BOAT DOWN!!!

the manslaughter charge is legit. U-HAUL just had to pay out a fortune because something fell out of one of their rented trucks and hit a chick driving under the influence. They still had to pay, even though it was the renters/ dui lady's fault. my 2 cents.


Clam Man

I always tie it down and back with ratchet straps.... Wouldn't want to loose it.... I am going up to Harbor Freight and get a trailer for it soon.... Everyone have a safe fishing season, Wear your life vest and take a old man fishin'...they can bring donuts

[David Z.]

I called the WSP about this not to long ago and you can go 3' passed the rear bumper without a flag after that you have to have a flag on your load. And the max you can go is 12' passed the center of the of rear axle.