Canoe & Foam Blocks Over Roof on DCLB

Next month I need to transport a 14.5' canoe home to Seattle from a cabin in BC which we are selling. Not wanting to make a big investment in a rooftop rack system, I am considering using 4 closed cell foam blocks made for transporting canoes (they fasten onto the gunwales and rest on the roof with a nonslip surface), bow and stern lines, and ratchet straps across mid-canoe and through the cab. My bed will be filled with 2 dog crates (and dogs); other stuff from the cabin we're bringing home; and we'll be towing a 12' rowing / sailing gig on a trailer.

I'm a little apprehensive about the canoe on the roof. Has anyone on the forum used this foam block system for transporting a canoe? Do you have any suggestions for making this system secure? It's a 385 mile drive, so lots of time for things to go sideways.

Thanks!

 

Got a tow hook in the front and a hitch in the rear?

Edit: Reread it. You can strap it up there using the two points I mentioned. Or you can pass the straps through the open doors. It'll be fine.

 

Make sure the foam blocks cannot roll sideways. Once I had this happen and you end up with the canoe sitting on the roof. To prevent this you need the straps tighter than you think.

 

It will work, but make a mess of your paint and may actually dent the roof. Straps will rub round the the door openings, there is no stopping that, only protect with cloth, but then that can cause other issues. Whole setup is hokey, and I’d personally never do it, but I’ve seen worse.

I know you said bed was full, but have you thought about one of those toe hitch mounts, you could probably heighten it so the canoe was on top of all the shit in the bed.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tms-t-ns-hitch-bed-extender.358969/

 

He's towing a sailing rig. Hitch receiver will be occupado.

 

Dam, I can’t read for shit...

 

Me neither. Had to reread it.

 

No chance you can strap it to the sailing rig or trailer? Seems there would be more secure points to mount it to back there than on the roof.

 

+1

 

Without a rack it’s a long haul- what kind of canoe are we talking? Is it worth more than a rack setup?

We carry our clipper on a Prinsu;



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vicalis-2017-trd-sport-silver.543231/#post-17886405

If your set and can’t find any other options make sure you’ve got the bow and stern tied and two straps over the middle. I like having a bow strap so I can keep an eye out for any movement.

 

Our roofs are very thin and flimsy.

 

+2

You might damage your roof carrying the canoe on top .

 

Im going to leave my camper shell window open and shove my kayak in there b/c i dont have a roof rack yet and dont wanna dent my roof.

I would be sketch forsure with a canoe up there.

 

I'd also considered carrying my canoe using those foam blocks instead of a rack. The instructions for the blocks I looked at at REI specifically stated that they are intended for trips less than 100 miles, or something to that effect. So yeah, I read that as it's not an ideal system. How about getting a cheap rack system on Craigslist and selling it after your move.

 

I don't think you'd damage the roof but be prepared to stop and inspect often. I've tried the foam blocks and they suck, I lost one on a 100 mile trip to maine. If you think you will use the racks more then I say invest in them.

 

You'll be fine. Before I had a truck, all I used were the foam blocks to transport an aluminum canoe on top of various cars. Never damaged anything. Just get it tight and secure the front, back and sides.

 

Ive done it with just foam no racks no issues

 

I see -- a divergence of opinions. And even when in conflict, they're all valid.

The canoe is an Old Town Discovery, with a Royalex hull. Imagine it weighs 65-70#. My truck does not have a front tow hook and so I'm not sure how I would tie off a line from the bow. I've always tied off canoes and kayaks fore and aft, as well as across the beam.

I think I'll err on the side of caution and either buy a good rack for atop the cab or stack the canoe on the row boat / trailer. I really don't want to risk damaging the roof with this canoe, as the canoe is not especially valuable and I'm only bringing it back to Seattle to replace another canoe I have and rarely use. There's also a possibility that one of my daughters will be visiting the cabin in July and I can ask her to use her truck, which does have a roof rack, to bring the canoe back.

Thanks for all the input / suggestions.

 

Damaging the roof or the canoe is not the real concern. If it were to detach and kill someone on the road, it would ruin your life.

I don't trust foam blocks.

 

Buy roof rack from Walmart... use it for weekend.. return it on Monday?