DCSB - options for hauling a canoe/kayak

This is how I do that. However this is on the OEM rack witch seems to be holding up? At the same time seems to be a bit weak. Got me there and back! I am using the Yakima attachment for yaks.

 

I absolutely frll in love with my 2015 outback! last sunday had a 17 bass day here in lv nv! fish on!

 

I plan on getting a rack put on top of the camper but this is how I hauled 2 canoes a couple of weeks ago on my new to me Tacoma. Yakima towers and bar over the back doors and a redneck modified extend a hitch over the back (which makes it impossible to get in the camper)





On my older Tacoma

 

Yo, OP. What did you end up doing? I'm in the same boat...pun intended.

 

my 18 foot canoe travels on OEM racks, tied down on the sides, front and back. It is fine on the highway, and the racks could probably support much more - if the oem toyota rack can do this, then a Prinsu rack could probably do more

 

Haven't done anything. Still need the canoe! But I've been convinced I can just throw one on the cab and be fine.

 

Did you do a light bar on your Prinsu? I'm wondering if I need to get a taller point to rest the boat on as I don't want it sitting on my light

 

I didn't do this specifically for hauling canoes/kayaks, but I think this may work as an option:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-ladder-rack-one-option.375476/#post-10292947
If you just installed the rear rack mount, you can chop the vertical support down to match your Prinsu height. The arms only extend out to 32" though, so not sure if that's wide enough for your canoe.
But there is one bolt that holds the vertical rack mount into the base, which can be installed/removed in less than a minute. The bases are secured to the bed and are short enough to clear my tonneau.

 

More photographic evidence to advocate for cab canoe travel (oem rack works fine, but I may in the future get a sturdier rack)

 

I had the local trailer shop build me custom rig just for hauling canoes and kayaks.
For $500, it wasn't much more than I'd spend on good mounting options, and I can haul 4 or 6 boats, depending on size.

 

Question from a canoe-hauling newbie here: I'll be taking a 15' old town canoe (~80 lbs) from New Mexico to Yellowstone this fall on top of my '16 DCSB (with a tonneau cover). My going-in plan is to support the rear with an

$330 extend-a-truck 944 extend-a-truck

extend-a-truck 944 "goalpost" type support, as close to level with the cab as possible, and tie the front part down to the OEM rack. Sort of like pictured here, but maybe a little higher in back (not my truck or canoe, just for illustrative purposes). Any concerns or better ideas?

Goat

 

Here is the rack that I use to haul my canoe (or ladders, or lumber...the dang thing is rated at 800 lbs)...TracRac:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/TracRac-TracOne-800-lb-Capacity-Universal-Truck-Rack-27000-01/203346592

 

I am at work and this is the best I can do for now.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...up-buy-event-2014.315957/page-92#post-8951717
I have driving all over the state and down to Bend, Or. using this set up and alternatively, Yakima Hully Rollers and Even Keels.
All mounted to Thule bars and feet. Very solid with 150lbs worth of kayaks plus additional weight of gear occasionally stored in the kayaks. I never tied the bow or stern, but did have the straps available. Think severe cross winds coupled with freeway speeds.

 

I jerry-rigged a $99 Harbor Freight ladder rack to fit my 18' tandem kayak. Has worked flawlessly over the last 5 years, still use it to this day with appropriate tie-downs.

 

Here’s my setup for 12 ft boats with the 5ft bed. Nice and secure. I run bow and stern lines if I’ll be traveling fast or far. The two can be thrown into the bed, tailgate down, for short trips @ low speed.

Thule Xsporter w/hull a-port pro

 

It’s really niiiize.

This one looks nice too, but a little more “mass produced” than the Prinsu - not that it is.

SO, nearly 3 years down the road, how are (or did) these racks suit(ing) your needs in the long run, fellas?.

Same question for @PoweredBySoy OP

Much appreciation for coming back to this old but highly informative post... I mean, cuz ALL of us aren’t rolling into state parks and crawling/mudding/winching/wheeling around in big Tacoma convoys every weekend. Know what I mean?

 

I don't have any personal information on the Prinsu rack but I've heard nothing but good things about them.

I do have personal experience with the FrontRunner rack and I can tell you it is extremely solid with as many mount variations as you would ever want. I sold the truck back in the early part of 17 and had the rack on the truck for almost 2 years with no issues whatsoever. I mounted my bikes, kayaks, North Face bags, etc... on top of the truck and it was stable as a rock. I don't think you will go wrong with either rack you choose between the two.

 

Thanks for the info! I am leaning to the prinsu with a light bar cut out.

Also looking to get either a softtop or besttop for the bed. I’d roll and fold those to avoid interference with carrying the boats.

SO, did you get into a new taco? This is my first, although i’ve had my eyes on one for a long time... since driving a 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad cad. Traded her in. Great truck.

 

This is good to know, as I plan to haul a 12' kayak over top my Softopper in the same manner.

 

I broke down and bought some Yakima J cradles. The cradles themselves are nice, but the arrangement with the truck being so tall and the factory roof rack isn't ideal.
Our roof racks are quite flimsy and I'm not happy with how the weight "throws" around the roof rack bars. I'm about at 100lbs in that picture, so just at the rated limit, and it's not exactly a great solution. Might need a beefier permanent rack in the future to mount these J cradles to.

Overall though, not a bad setup. I really liked that I had the full bed available for gear (which we needed) and the the trailer hitch was available to tow the boat. No way I could have done this with the kayaks hanging out of the back of the truck bed while towing.