It's easy to purchase a kayak carrier for a pick-up truck. But if you want to save money, you can build your own carrier at a significantly lower cost. A kayak carrier made out of PVC pipe will not only support two full-sized kayaks with relative ease, but it will also be durable enough to withstand most weather conditions. The unique construction of this kayak carrier also allows the user to disassemble and fold it away after use.
Cut four pieces of PVC pipe to 37.5-inches in length to create the vertical pillars for each side. Make the cuts with a Dremel tool.
Cut four pieces of PVC pipe to 17.25-inches. Cut four more pieces to 19.25-inches. These pieces will serve as the horizontal rails at the top and bottom of the carrier.
Create the cross member pieces by cutting two pieces of PVC pipe to 68-inches. Create four 6-inch end cap pieces for the top horizontal rails.
Connect two of the 19.25-inch top horizontal rails to one T-fitting. Install two more T-fittings to the ends of the rails. Repeat the procedure for the remaining 19.25-inch rails. Attach the 6-inch end cap pieces to the ends of the rails.
Connect two of the 17.25-inch bottom horizontal rails to one T-fitting. Install an elbow joint to each end of the bottom horizontal rail near the front of the truck bed. At the back of the truck bed, install T-fittings onto each side of the bottom horizontal rail, and then add a elbow joint. Connect the 37.5-inch vertical pillars to the top and bottom horizontal rails.
Connect the cross members to the bottom and top horizontal rails. Run the bungee cord through the bottom horizontal rail at the back of the truck bed, as it will be used to tether the kayaks. Glue all of the PVC joints except the joints for the cross members with epoxy.
Drill two holes through the cross members and their T-fittings with an electric drill. Insert and tighten the bolts and wing nuts. Drill a hole through the center where both cross members meet and insert a bolt and wing nut.
Drill a hole through the vertical pillars for the holes in the front of the bed. Insert a long bolt through the bed and into the pillar, and then secure the bolt with a wing nut. This will secure the rack and keep it from moving.
Attach padding to the top horizontal bars, and tie them down with zip ties. Connect another set of bungee cords to the tie down hooks at the front of the bed. Use the cords to tie down the kayaks when the rack is in use.
