Amazingly enough this 15 foot canoe balances well on the bed, when you calculate in the extra foot for the tailgate, and the downward pressure from the truck cap keeping it in place rather nicely.

When I go out canoeing solo I usually bring the dog, Eli, along to balance out the canoe at the bow (front). Despite him looking out over the bow to see what is ahead of the canoe, he is usually very well behaved and loves going in the canoe.