Jon Boat in the back of a truck?

[Brent1]

I'm planning on buying a jon boat this summer. Somewhere around 12-14ft, but preferably 14ft. Obviously, I'd like to find a good deal on one including a trailor, but I'm doubting that considering the budget that I'll have when it comes to purchasing a boat. My plan, if I can't find a boat and trailor combo, is to try and strap a boat into the back of my truck with ratchet straps and if necessary buy a bed extender that hooks into my hitch receiver. Anyone else on here have to put their jon in the back of their truck? I'd love to see some pictures. Thanks for the help!

[SoFlaBassAddict]

It may be a while before I actually get mine into the back of the truck again, but I'll take a picture. I just set mine in the bed and ratchet strap it down. I'll move the batteries to the front of the boat so all the weight is forward and not hanging off the back of the tailgate. Never had an issue with it.

I'd love to have a trailer for it.  That would definitely make it a lot easier to get the boat into and out of the water.  Just not possible without a place to store it.

[Aluma-Bass]

i dont have pics but i use to throw my 12 footer in back of truck all the time. Back end first bc most weight is towards rear of boat! When Traveling i would put most of heavy stuff , tackle,batteries, coolers etc toward back of boat to keep weight off the part thats hanging off back of truck...never had an issue! Alot of time i would launch right out back of truck..back truck down ramp and close to water and just push off back of truck and glides right off into water! Now i have a trailer with 14ft so no more truck loading     

good luck!!

[Brent1]

It may be a while before I actually get mine into the back of the truck again, but I'll take a picture. I just set mine in the bed and ratchet strap it down. I'll move the batteries to the front of the boat so all the weight is forward and not hanging off the back of the tailgate. Never had an issue with it.

I'd love to have a trailer for it. That would definitely make it a lot easier to get the boat into and out of the water. Just not possible without a place to store it.

What size of jon do you have?

[Aluma-Bass]

if you got a shortbed i would think a 14ft would hang a lil far off the back and may put stress on boat from bouncing around and not having support under front end...but not so say cant be done bc ive seen it bf.

[Brent1]

if you got a shortbed i would think a 14ft would hang a lil far off the back and may put stress on boat from bouncing around and not having support under front end...but not so say cant be done bc ive seen it bf.

I have a regular sized bed with a tool box... so I was planning on getting one of those bed extenders from Cabela's for $100 that plug into your hitch adaptor and extend out to support some weight.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

It may be a while before I actually get mine into the back of the truck again, but I'll take a picture. I just set mine in the bed and ratchet strap it down. I'll move the batteries to the front of the boat so all the weight is forward and not hanging off the back of the tailgate. Never had an issue with it.

I'd love to have a trailer for it. That would definitely make it a lot easier to get the boat into and out of the water. Just not possible without a place to store it.

What size of jon do you have?

12 Footer.  I've got a standard bed truck.  It hangs over a little bit, nothing excessive though.

[Brent1]

It may be a while before I actually get mine into the back of the truck again, but I'll take a picture. I just set mine in the bed and ratchet strap it down. I'll move the batteries to the front of the boat so all the weight is forward and not hanging off the back of the tailgate. Never had an issue with it.

I'd love to have a trailer for it. That would definitely make it a lot easier to get the boat into and out of the water. Just not possible without a place to store it.

What size of jon do you have?

12 Footer. I've got a standard bed truck. It hangs over a little bit, nothing excessive though.

Can you fish 2 ppl out of a 12'? Can you stand in it?

[Aluma-Bass]

yea can fish 2 people and yes you can stand and fish but if both stand n fish it gets a lil unstable when other moves depending on how wide the 12ft is.

If you can get by with a 14 ft you will be glad you did!

[bilgerat]

Two people can fish out of a 12', but you have to be aware at all times what the other guy is doing. It's not the best way to fish but it can be done.

As for loading a jon in a truck, make sure you attach a red or bright orange flag or piece of fabric to the end that sticks out so vehicles behind you can see it. In some places it's the law.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I can stand in mine without a problem.  I primarily fish by myself though.  The times I've had my father or kids with me, they sit down for the most part.  If they do stand, you've gotta communicate.

[Grey Wolf]

It may be a while before I actually get mine into the back of the truck again, but I'll take a picture. I just set mine in the bed and ratchet strap it down. I'll move the batteries to the front of the boat so all the weight is forward and not hanging off the back of the tailgate. Never had an issue with it.

I'd love to have a trailer for it. That would definitely make it a lot easier to get the boat into and out of the water. Just not possible without a place to store it.

What size of jon do you have?

12 Footer. I've got a standard bed truck. It hangs over a little bit, nothing excessive though.

Can you fish 2 ppl out of a 12'? Can you stand in it?

No , too unstable to stand for two people. JMHO

[South FLA]

I have put a 14 foot Jon Boat in the back of my truck for years,  sometimes its necessary when I can put it on the trailer.  I hook up 3 straps and place the boat right side up on the back of the truck, making sure all the heavy objects are close to the cab or at least center around the axle.  I use two straps from the truck bed to the bow of boat and one strap across the top of the stern in case it bounces or God forbid you roll the truck.   Also make sure you dangle a red flag off the bow of boat so approaching motorist don't go under the boat and check your state motor vehicle laws on overhang.  I had it checked out by a State Trooper, after being pulled over and he said I was legal eagle, but just to watch my speed, 80 in a 55, was in a hurry to get to my spot.

[Go Time]

I used to haul a 14ft in the back of an extended cab S10 without a bed extender. As said before I would put all the weight to the front and use rachet straps to hold it in and one across the bed to hold it down. Plus the red flag. I never went farther than 10 miles like that though.

You can definitely fish 2 out of a 12ft boat but you both better have your sea legs if you plan to stand!

When money's tight sometimes you just have to make due. Just be sensible when loading and tying it down. Best of luck!

[fish-fighting-illini]

BTW,

What's the budget?

When I looked for mine I never saw much in the way of just a boat almost everything was a boat, mtr & trailer. Then again that was what I was looking for soI might have overlooked some.

  Be careful on what you get I've got a 14ft albeit extrawide and no way you are going to pick that up by yourself. Heck one of those 2 man fiberglass Basshunter's was a chore to load solo.

I found my 14ft extra-wide with a small deck on it with a 9.9hp Johnson ( that is actually a 15hp disguised) and trailer for $900. The guy threw in an older TM.

My buddy found a 14ft Semi-V with mtr & 9.9 and a pivoting trailer for $800. The boat was fully carpeted, the boat, motor & trailer were like they were off the show room floor.

Good luck - FFI

[Brent1]

BTW,

What's the budget?

When I looked for mine I never saw much in the way of just a boat almost everything was a boat, mtr & trailer. Then again that was what I was looking for soI might have overlooked some.

Be careful on what you get I've got a 14ft albeit extrawide and no way you are going to pick that up by yourself. Heck one of those 2 man fiberglass Basshunter's was a chore to load solo.

I found my 14ft extra-wide with a small deck on it with a 9.9hp Johnson ( that is actually a 15hp disguised) and trailer for $900. The guy threw in an older TM.

My buddy found a 14ft Semi-V with mtr & 9.9 and a pivoting trailer for $800. The boat was fully carpeted, the boat, motor & trailer were like they were off the show room floor.

Good luck - FFI

Well me and a fishing buddy of mine are both planning on chipping in to buy a boat together. We're thinking somewhere between $200-300 and probably $400 tops.. We'd love to find something with a trailer considering the distances we'd be driving. I've seen some fairly good deals in my price range for some 12 and 14 footers with trailers that need a little work. I'm not afraid to buy something that looks bad (i.e. peeling pait, fixable dents, rotton wood on the seats, etc.) because I have a sand/soda blaster, tools, and enough mechanical ability to fix that kinda stuff.. I just don't want leaks, because I do not have the resources to weld or re-rivet. We wouldn't need a outboard motor, just a strong enough trolling motor (the trolling motor is not necessarily included in the budget) to get us around small lakes. We're hoping to stumble across something before summer. Fingers crossed! We're working on a pretty tight budget, considering we are both in college, but I have faith that we can find something.

[Fishing Rhino]

If at all practical, I'd rather haul a jon or other small boat around in the bed of a pickup.  Trailers are ok, but registration, insurance and maintainance more than offset the negatives of having to unload some of the heavier gear, batteries, tm, and tackle boxes to lift the boat onto the bed.

Plus, you will get better fuel economy with the truck in the bed rather than on a trailer.

I don't mind pulling a trailer.  However, with a boat in the back of the truck you can get to places you cannot go with a trailer, or would not want to go with a trailer.

No wheel bearings to maintain.  No wiring or lights to keep up to snuff.  No need to carry a spare for a trailer.

It boils down to the KISS school of thought.  The simpler, the better. 

[Brent1]

If at all practical, I'd rather haul a jon or other small boat around in the bed of a pickup. Trailers are ok, but registration, insurance and maintainance more than offset the negatives of having to unload some of the heavier gear, batteries, tm, and tackle boxes to lift the boat onto the bed.

Plus, you will get better fuel economy with the truck in the bed rather than on a trailer.

I don't mind pulling a trailer. However, with a boat in the back of the truck you can get to places you cannot go with a trailer, or would not want to go with a trailer.

No wheel bearings to maintain. No wiring or lights to keep up to snuff. No need to carry a spare for a trailer.

It boils down to the KISS school of thought. The simpler, the better.

I agree! I am just worried about a 12' or 14' boat hanging too far out of the back of my truck. The tool box in my bed takes up a portion of my bed space.

[Fishing Rhino]

I've got a four door, half ton, GMC pickup.  The bed is less than six feet.  To carry my sixteen foot canoe with no problem.  I place a piece of 3/4" plywood in the bed, letting it hang past the tailgate by about two feet.  I put the tm battery on one of the front corners of the plywood, and a concrete block on the other. 

That prevents the plywood from tipping down at the rear.  A ratchet strap, cinched down tight at the rear of the bed, using the tie down loops in the bottom, rear corner of the bed, clamps the boat and plywood to the bed.  Another ratchet strap around the plywood and the boat, aft of the tailgate secures the boat.

A bright red or orange flag at the end of the boat, and you're good to go.

I fold up the back seat, place an old blanket on the carpet and toss the tm in there.

Double check to make sure the ratchet straps are really cinched down.  Use the medium size straps.  I don't trust the small ones.

The overhanging part of the boat will not move from side to side if you have everything tightened down securely.

[Brent1]

I've got a four door, half ton, GMC pickup. The bed is less than six feet. To carry my sixteen foot canoe with no problem. I place a piece of 3/4" plywood in the bed, letting it hang past the tailgate by about two feet. I put the tm battery on one of the front corners of the plywood, and a concrete block on the other.

That prevents the plywood from tipping down at the rear. A ratchet strap, cinched down tight at the rear of the bed, using the tie down loops in the bottom, rear corner of the bed, clamps the boat and plywood to the bed. Another ratchet strap around the plywood and the boat, aft of the tailgate secures the boat.

A bright red or orange flag at the end of the boat, and you're good to go.

I fold up the back seat, place an old blanket on the carpet and toss the tm in there.

Double check to make sure the ratchet straps are really cinched down. Use the medium size straps. I don't trust the small ones.

The overhanging part of the boat will not move from side to side if you have everything tightened down securely.

Thanks for the help Rhino! You've helped me realize what an inconvenience a trailer might be for us. There are some spots that we would go to that don't have a boat ramp, or a good enough area to back a trailer in. I think we will most likely just load the boat into the back of one of our trucks and hope for no cop trouble on the way. Now all we need to do is find a boat!

[SoFlaBassAddict]

As long as you secure it properly and use a red flag, towel, shirt, or something red, a cop shouldn't give you any problems.

My Jon is a little on the heavier side with the wooden flooring, front deck to mount a TM and storage.  It's still manageable for one person to load and unload in the truck.

[Fishing Rhino]

I've trucked my canoe from RI to Cape Cod, to central Massachusetts on interstates, state highways, country roads and through cities without a second glance from cops.  I always have a red or orange towel hanging from the end of the canoe.

[Brent1]

I'll make sure to keep it safe with the flag I'll probably go overkill when strapping it down. Thanks again guys!

[Fishing Rhino]

I'll make one more suggestion that I thought of doing, for traveling at night.

Make a bar with tail lights that can be plugged into your truck, and clamp onto the boat.  It may be overkill, but it's cheap insurance if you are on the road with your boat in the back during the night time hours. 

Not a bad idea for daytime either since both of the brake and turn signals are plainly visible.  Neither can be blocked by the boat regardless of angle to a following driver.

[Brent1]

Very good Idea. I can easily rige something up. Thanks for watchin out!