DCSB - options for hauling a canoe/kayak

I do something very similar. Prinsu roof rack with Malone J-cradles that fold down when not in use. (2) 12-foot Old Town kayaks.

 

You'll be fine with a simple roof rack. I do have a cap, but my bars are only about 4' apart and my 15' canoe stays put with only 2 straps.

 

Perfect! That's even the canoe I want lol.

 

If you're not completely sold on a Prinsu rack I would suggest on looking into FrontRunner Vehicle Outfitters Rack also. I've one on my truck and wouldn't hesitate putting a kayak up there at all.

I've got one on my truck and have been very pleased with the rack and the amount of options there are out there. Here is the kayak mount

 

Also - I've always had a midrise cap as this prevents the bow of the canoe (I have one with a lot of rocker) from hitting the truck cab roof.

 

I love the Prinsu, but I'm open to suggestions. I'll definitely check them out. I assume no drilling? Any major issues with wind noise? Great looking truck.

About those kayak/canoe mounts. I've seen those, but, those are meant to mount the canoe upright, correct? I don't understand that. What if rains?

If I'm mounting on the cab I don't think I'll have an issue - with no cap in the back. Shouldn't be anything to hit....

 

It sounds like you don't like this option but this is what I use... I will likely be going with a prinsu rack in the future and going with J-hooks for the kayaks just because this ties up my trailer hitch and I want to be able to pull a pop-up camper while transporting kayaks eventually.

 

Well, I have a tonneau cover - which I need for waterproof storage - so I don't really have access to my bed like that.

 

Another suggestion (regardless of which rack you go with) is to buy some type of heavy duty tubing/hose to place on the rack/bars for the canoe gunwales to rest on....prevents sliding and absorbs some of the shock from bumps & bouncing.

On my Yakima bars, I found some 1 1/8" ID hydraulic hose....I have 4 pieces about 6" in length on my bars and place it under the gunwales. I can slide them to accommodate canoes/kayaks of different widths.

I found that that foam/rubber pipe insulation is good for a short term solution (and may work better on a flat rack as you can cut a piece and flatten it out ), but it eventually tears and needs replacement.

 

No drilling involved. They mount to the factory roof mount mounting points. 12 points IIRC? If you're worried about rain (even if your kayaks are on the side rain can still get in) you could always mount them upside-down.

EDIT: There is absolutely NO wind noise with this rack unloaded. They designed it well.

 

I normally have a softcover on. Just because I was rushed for time I took it off and went with this solution for this summer. I figured if I need waterproof storage it will only be for luggage (coolers and chairs can get soaked for all I care). To cover my need I just used garbage bags over our luggage or hard plastic totes. Again, I know it's not an ideal setup for you, but with the purchased bed-rack it only cost me $100 total for the aluminum scrap and single bed rack. Took a couple hours though cutting, drilling and then painting the hitch insert.

I'd seriously look at a prinsu rack and just pad it or use J-hooks for what you're looking to do.

 

Yeah, I already found these.

$71 Vitamin Blue 36" Roof Rack Pads Black - Non Logo (Made in U.S.A.) AERO Pads

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BPYBG4O...TF8&colid=3VEHPHTLU1315&coliid=I39CD49OR58I81

Expensive, but.... I also thought of pipe foam too, but figured it wouldn't last very long.

I'm slowly coming around to that solution as well. Large totes should work for all the camping gear I don't want to get wet. This picture is inspirational:


Especially since I really want a RTT some day. That setup even provides some level of security for those totes - which is another main reason I wanted a cap.

But I think I'm set on the canoe. I'm now convinced a cab rack with a couple straps will be good. Thanks for the input, guys.

 

Exactly why I went with this set up for a RTT

 

What bars are those?? Are there other size/options for them? That Front Runner bed rack would work great, but gdamn it's half the price of a cap lol.

 

Save your money and go buy a couple of feet of radiator hose at NAPA.....you can cut & slice it and it will conform to various shapes.

If you want to attach it....use some zip ties.

 

Relentless Fab Bars. Mine are the 8" bars (they make a 4" version but those are too short IMO). These will set the height of the RTT level with the back of the cab.

 

Okay, I see them. So you got the 'tall's. I'm just thinking the shorter ones would provide a semblance of security (assuming I get a Pop-lock for the gate). Those look great though. Thanks. Sorry for hijacking my own thread...

 

Leer topper with factory installed (rail runners?) not sure what they are called
48 inch Yakima bars, Yakima skybox, Yakima kayak stackers. Skybox lets me put all my wet gear up top and sleep in the bed of the truck. I'm 6 2 so it's tight with my gal but we love it. It's actually the exact opposite of the rooftop tent route....

 

This is what I also use for my Old Town 146 canoe. No pics with canoe on it but canoe would slid under the tonneau.

 

What options would I have with this? No roof rack, and don't really want to use the hitch.