Hullavators SUPinator

We saw this truck as we started heading back North. He was Thule'd out to the max (not a bad thing). He did have a Bark paddleboard up top - definitely a person that knows what he likes. And probably doesn't like lifting SUPs.

My Truck

My Truck with the racks setup for carrying our kayak.

No noticeable noise in this configuration (at least today driving to and from work). This setup is all too common back in Hawaii. The really long OC-1 canoes and Unlimited SUPs are supported really well with the large separation between bars. I also got the ball mount for the hitch so I can break out the Weta (soon). There really isn't much left that I will do to the truck - I'm happy with it the way it is - maybe a few more stickers...

My Brother-In-Law's Truck

Dave (my brother-in-law) raced in a 1/4 mile sprint and 2.5 mile distance race on the 14' Carbon Hobie that was on his truck. He came in first and fifth respectively out of 22 (I think). He just recently placed the Thule 422XT racks on as well. But th efocus of the post is his Raptor - and he doesn't baby it either - down right abuses it out in the California deserts. I'm on the wrong coast....

Amphibious Assault Craft

After surfing and lunch, we went to pick up our new Amphibious Assault Craft. I switched the 422XT rack to the back position anticipating the longer load and it worked well to kill some of the noise (electrical tape on the 422XT Top Bar accessory mounting channels helped a bunch too). The color scheme didn't upset La too much - she did like the Lowland Camo pattern better than the Yellow Jacket we looked as earlier. The outer hull is mostly olive with some mixing of tan. The inside hull has a lot more color mixing (brown, tan and olive). I thought I'd be storing this on the back porch - for loading and unloading, this piece of gear will have to live in the garage (after I make more space...). We didn't have time to break it in today - needed to unpack the beach gear from the truck and wash all the salt and dirt off the truck. I am looking forward to getting everyone on this and having more fun on the waters up here in Northern Virginia!!! More to follow on this as we spend time getting proficient and pushing this to it's carrying and fishing limits

More Adjusting - Taco Bed vs Thule Xsporter

Before and after shots

More modification to the Thule Xsporter in order to mount it in the Surf Taco. I looked at the clamps last time I had it setup (just after I cut the curly lip off of it) and there seemed to be some pressure on the top rail of the truck bed. I read some more of the posts on the Tacoma forums and the other folks who have 2012 Tacomas just stripped the whole rubber pad off. So tonight, as I prepared the vehicle for a trip out to the beach (Lewes - Rehoboth - Betheny) for some surfing and to pick up our new amphibious assault craft, I went ahead and did the same. The before picture was how I had the feet last time; the after is where they are stripped naked. Installed on the truck, it was real easy to get them on and the clamps are rock solid now. I'll look for the rail compression in the morning (it was dark when I placed the rack feet on).

Third Rack on the Surf Taco

Not quite "plug and play". Here's the rack Thule 422XT rack I picked up today. My first attempt at installation had me scratching my head. The brackets that hold the rack onto the bed rail weren't clamping down tightly. I did some research on the web and I saw another lead. I'll have to try again tomorrow - ran out of daylight today.